---
title: Port Alberni building permit fees
question: "How much does a building permit cost?"
place: Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/port-alberni
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Port Alberni
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/building-permit-fees/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/building-permit-fees.json"
---

# Port Alberni building permit fees

**Question:** How much does a building permit cost?

**Short answer:** A City of Port Alberni building permit costs a $100 base fee plus $7 for each $1,000 of construction value, or part of $1,000. A $100 application fee is paid when you submit. Other fees apply to plumbing, demolition and retaining walls.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Port Alberni, https://www.portalberni.ca)  
**Cost:** $100 base fee plus $7 per $1,000 of value (or part of it). Plumbing permit $65 plus $10 per fixture.  
**How long:** Fees are paid before the permit is issued.  
**Where:**
- In person: Development Services (payments), Upper - 4835 Argyle Street, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 1V9 (Cash, debit or cheque. You can also pay online.)
- Phone: Building Services, 250-720-2835
- Email: Building, building@portalberni.ca

## Key facts

- **Lowest fee:** $100 base fee, plus $7 per $1,000 of construction value (or part of $1,000).
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5125, 2025, Schedule O (PDF, consolidated to Sept 8, 2026), Schedule O, Building Permit](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5125_5125-1_5125-2_5125-3_5125-4_Fees_and_Charges_Bylaw_No._5125_2025_Consolidated_0.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BUILDING FEES & CHARGES" … "(a) Base Fee $100.00" … "Plus, per $1,000 of valuation, or portion thereof"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How the fee is worked out:** Base fee $100 plus $7 for each $1,000 of valuation or part of it. If built under a Coordinating Registered Professional, the permit fee is reduced by 10%, up to $500. Lapsed permit renewal: $100 plus $9.50 per $1,000.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5125, 2025, Schedule O (PDF, consolidated to Sept 8, 2026)](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5125_5125-1_5125-2_5125-3_5125-4_Fees_and_Charges_Bylaw_No._5125_2025_Consolidated_0.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Plus, per $1,000 of valuation, or portion thereof" … "the permit fee is reduced by 10% of the fees payable under this Bylaw, up to a maximum reduction of $500.00." … "Renewal of Lapsed Building Permit" … "(b) Plus, per $1,000 of valuation, or portion thereof $9.50"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Application or plan review fee:** $100 application fee paid when the application is submitted. Schedule O also lists a non-refundable plan check deposit of 15% of the building permit fee (minimum $100), which is deducted from the final permit fee.
  - Source: [Standard Building and Plumbing Permits (Part 9 Buildings), Step Two](https://www.portalberni.ca/standard-building-plumbing-permits-part-9-buildings)
  - Official wording: "Pay the $100 Application fee."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5125, 2025, Schedule O (PDF, consolidated to Sept 8, 2026)](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5125_5125-1_5125-2_5125-3_5125-4_Fees_and_Charges_Bylaw_No._5125_2025_Consolidated_0.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Plan Check Deposit – Non-Refundable" … "(a) % of building permit fee 15%" … "(b) Minimum fee $100.00" … "This payment will be reduced from the final building permit issuance fees."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees:** Plumbing permit $65 base plus $10 per fixture; demolition $100 plus $500 bond; re-inspection $100 (first inspection free); retaining wall over 1.2 m $150; moving a building $200; $2,000 street-damage bond for single or two family dwellings.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5125, 2025, Schedule O (PDF, consolidated to Sept 8, 2026)](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5125_5125-1_5125-2_5125-3_5125-4_Fees_and_Charges_Bylaw_No._5125_2025_Consolidated_0.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Plumbing Permit – per Fixture" … "(b) Per fixture $10.00" … "Demolishing a Building" … "(b) Bond fee $500.00" … "Re-inspections (first inspection no charge) $100.00" … "Retaining walls – greater than 1.2 meters in height $150.00" … "Moving a building $200.00" … "Single family/two family dwelling – bonding against damage to the city" … "$2,000.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to pay:** Pay the building permit fee (plus any development cost charges and securities) before the permit is issued, online or in person at Upper - 4835 Argyle St. by cash, debit or cheque.
  - Source: [Standard Building and Plumbing Permits (Part 9 Buildings), Step Four: Permit Issuance](https://www.portalberni.ca/standard-building-plumbing-permits-part-9-buildings)
  - Official wording: "Applicants are required to pay the Building Permit Fee as well as any development cost charges, service upgrades, securities for works and services prior to a Building Permit being granted." … "Permit fees can be paid online or in-person at the Planning/Building/Engineering Building at Upper - 4835 Argyle St. (cash, debit, or cheque)."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5125, 2025, Schedule O (Development Services Building Fees & Charges)
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5125, 2025, Schedule O (PDF, consolidated to Sept 8, 2026)](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5125_5125-1_5125-2_5125-3_5125-4_Fees_and_Charges_Bylaw_No._5125_2025_Consolidated_0.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5125, 2025" … "SCHEDULE O" … "BUILDING FEES & CHARGES"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Fees are set in Schedule O of the City's [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5125](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5125_5125-1_5125-2_5125-3_5125-4_Fees_and_Charges_Bylaw_No._5125_2025_Consolidated_0.pdf). The permit fee is a $100 base fee plus $7 for each $1,000 of construction value, or part of $1,000. If the work is built under a Coordinating Registered Professional, the fee is reduced by 10%, up to $500. Schedule O says fees increase every year with the consumer price index unless the bylaw is amended.

A $100 application fee is paid when you submit. Schedule O also lists a non-refundable plan check deposit of 15% of the permit fee (minimum $100), which is deducted from the final permit fee. No official text says whether the two are the same payment, so ask.

## Steps

1. Submit your complete application with the $100 application fee.
2. Pay the permit fee, plus any development cost charges and securities, before the permit is issued. Pay online or in person at Upper - 4835 Argyle St. by cash, debit or cheque.
3. Ask Building Services (250-720-2835) if you want the fee confirmed first.

## Good to know

- Other fees: plumbing permit $65 plus $10 per fixture; demolition $100 plus a $500 bond; retaining wall over 1.2 m $150; moving a building $200; re-inspection $100 (the first inspection is free); $2,000 street-damage bond for single or two family dwellings.
- A lapsed permit renewal costs $100 plus $9.50 per $1,000.
- Starting work before a permit is issued costs 200% of the permit fee otherwise payable, to a maximum of $10,000.
- Development cost charges are not refundable. Permit fees are 85% refundable before construction starts and not refundable after.
- The older Building Services page says to confirm the fee with the Building Inspector first and to pay at City Hall; the newer Standard Permit page is followed here.

## Official forms and pages

- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5125, 2025, Schedule O (PDF)](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5125_5125-1_5125-2_5125-3_5125-4_Fees_and_Charges_Bylaw_No._5125_2025_Consolidated_0.pdf)
- [Standard Building and Plumbing Permits (Part 9 Buildings)](https://www.portalberni.ca/standard-building-plumbing-permits-part-9-buildings)

## Related questions

- [Port Alberni building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/building-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permit fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Qualicum Beach](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Parksville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Cumberland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Comox](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Courtenay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Nanaimo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/building-permit-fees.md)

## Sources

- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5125, 2025, Schedule O (PDF, consolidated to Sept 8, 2026)](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/5125_5125-1_5125-2_5125-3_5125-4_Fees_and_Charges_Bylaw_No._5125_2025_Consolidated_0.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Standard Building and Plumbing Permits (Part 9 Buildings), City of Port Alberni](https://www.portalberni.ca/standard-building-plumbing-permits-part-9-buildings) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Services, City of Port Alberni](https://www.portalberni.ca/building-services) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Port Alberni. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/building-permit-fees/_