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

# Port Coquitlam building permit fees

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

**Short answer:** A Port Coquitlam building permit fee depends on the value of construction. Work up to $5,000 costs $120. Above that, Schedule E of the Fees and Charges Bylaw sets 0.8% of the value plus $20, then lower rates over $50,000. The City pages describe 50% due at application; confirm your total with the Building Division.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Port Coquitlam, https://www.portcoquitlam.ca)  
**Cost:** Up to $5,000: $120. $5,000.01 to $50,000: 0.8% plus $20. $50,000.01 to $500,000: 0.55% plus $150. Over $500,000: 0.45% plus $750. Plumbing permit minimum $120. Fee doubles if work starts without a permit.  
**How long:** The application payment is made with the application; the rest is due at issuance (outstanding fees at permit pickup).  
**Where:**
- Phone: Building, 604-927-5444
- Email: Building, building@portcoquitlam.ca

## Key facts

- **Lowest fee:** $120 for construction value up to $5,000, paid at application ($0 more before issuance).
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 4415, Schedule E Building Services, Schedule E, Table 1](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Bylaw%204415%20-%202026%20Fees%20and%20Charges.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Up to $5,000 $120 0"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How the fee is worked out:** Table 1 gives: $5,000.01 to $50,000: 0.8% of construction value plus $20; $50,000.01 to $500,000: 0.55% plus $150; over $500,000: 0.45% plus $750. The same formula is printed under both the application and issuance columns, so ask the Building Division what total is due. Fee doubles if work starts without a permit.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 4415, Schedule E Building Services, Schedule E, Table 1 and Notes; Table 6](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Bylaw%204415%20-%202026%20Fees%20and%20Charges.pdf)
  - Official wording: "$5,000.01 - 0.8% of construction value" … "$50,000.01 - 0.55% of construction value" … "Over $500,000 0.45% of construction value" … "the building permit fee shall be reduced by 2.5%, multiplied by that proportion of the value of the work which is" … "Charge when work for which a permit is required is started before the" … "application and issuance fee." … "$5,000.01 - 0.8% of construction value 0.8% of construction value"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Application or plan review fee:** The application column of Table 1 (e.g. $120 for work up to $5,000) is paid when applying and is not refunded, except where the application does not fit a permitted use. After issuance, 50% of fees paid is refunded if work has not started and the permit is surrendered. City pages describe it as a non-refundable 50% charge due at application.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 4415, Schedule E Building Services, Schedule E, Table 1 notes and refund paragraph](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Bylaw%204415%20-%202026%20Fees%20and%20Charges.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Fees required at the time of building permit application will not be refunded." … "If a Building Permit application is determined to not fit a permitted use, the application fee will be refunded." … "Fees required at the time of building permit application will not be refunded. If a refund is requested after" … "the building permit is issued, 50% of the fees paid at application and at permit issuance will be refunded" … "construction has not started;"
  - Source: [Single-Family or Two-Family Permit, Fees, Charges, and Security/Deposit](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits/single-family-or-two-family)
  - Official wording: "non-refundable 50% charge due at the time of application"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees:** Demolition: $230 (standard building) or $460 (complex). Plumbing: $120 minimum permit fee, with fixtures at $30 each (Table 2). Re-inspection: $120 third, $250 fourth, $500 each fifth and later. Stop Work Order charge $90. Permit transfer or extension $120 each. A refundable Highway Use Permit deposit may be required; amount varies.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 4415, Schedule E Building Services, Schedule E, Tables 1, 2, 6, 7](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Bylaw%204415%20-%202026%20Fees%20and%20Charges.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Demolition Permit Standard building $230 $0" … "Complex building $460 $0" … "Plumbing fixtures including water closet, washbasin, bathtub, shower, sink," … "Stop Work Order charge to notify the contractor and owner where a stop" … "Third inspection $120" … "Fourth inspection $250" … "Fifth and subsequent inspections $500 each" … "Permit Transfer Fee Upon application $120" … "Plumbing Minimum Permit Fee $120" … "fees payable will be calculated as set out in Table 2 and shall be paid prior to permit issuance."
  - Source: [Single-Family or Two-Family Permit, Fees, Charges, and Security/Deposit](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits/single-family-or-two-family)
  - Official wording: "A Highway Use Permit deposit may be required."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to pay:** Application fee is paid with the application; the rest of the permit fee is paid at issuance (outstanding fees are due at permit pickup). Security deposits can be paid by cash, cheque or direct payment; credit cards are not accepted for them.
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710, s. 12.1 and 12.2](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/3710%20-%20Building%20%26%20Plumbing%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The appropriate application fee as set out in the Fees and Charges Bylaw shall" … "fee, calculated in accordance with the Fees and Charges Bylaw, shall be paid in" … "accompany an application made for a permit."
  - Source: [Single-Family or Two-Family Permit, Permit Issuance; Fees, Charges, and Security/Deposit](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits/single-family-or-two-family)
  - Official wording: "Any outstanding fees are due at time of permit pickup." … "Security deposits are payable by of cash, cheque or direct payment. No credit card payments are permitted."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2025, No. 4415, Schedule E (Building Services), under the Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 3710 (Sources differ: The City's permit pages say application fees are 'outlined in Schedule D of the Fees and Charges Bylaw', but in Bylaw 4415 Schedule D is Development Services and building fees are in Schedule E. The bylaw (effective January 1, 2026) governs.)
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 4415, Schedule E Building Services](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Bylaw%204415%20-%202026%20Fees%20and%20Charges.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BUILDING SERVICES" … "This Schedule to the Fees and Charges Bylaw implements fees and charges pursuant to the"
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710, s. 12.1](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/3710%20-%20Building%20%26%20Plumbing%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "fee, calculated in accordance with the Fees and Charges Bylaw, shall be paid in"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Port Coquitlam sets building permit fees in Schedule E of its [Fees and Charges Bylaw 4415](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Bylaw%204415%20-%202026%20Fees%20and%20Charges.pdf), under the Building and Plumbing Bylaw. The fee is based on the construction value.

The City's permit pages describe a non-refundable 50% charge due at application and the remainder at issuance. The bylaw table prints the same formula under both its "application" and "before issuance" columns, so it does not make clear whether each column is a half or a full amount. Ask the Building Division what total you will pay before you budget.

## Fee table (Schedule E, Table 1)

| Construction value | Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $5,000 | $120, paid at application |
| $5,000.01 to $50,000 | 0.8% of value plus $20 |
| $50,000.01 to $500,000 | 0.55% of value plus $150 |
| Over $500,000 | 0.45% of value plus $750 |

## Good to know

- The application payment is not refunded, except where the application does not fit a permitted use. After issuance, 50% of fees paid is refunded if work has not started and the permit is surrendered.
- Other fees: demolition $230 (standard building) or $460 (complex); plumbing $120 minimum plus $30 per fixture; third re-inspection $120, fourth $250, fifth and later $500 each; stop work order charge $90; permit transfer or extension $120 each.
- Starting work without a permit doubles the fee. Applicable taxes are extra.
- A refundable Highway Use Permit deposit may be required; the amount varies. Security deposits cannot be paid by credit card.

## What you'll need

- Construction value of the work, from your contract or estimate

## Official forms and pages

- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 4415, Schedule E Building Services (PDF)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Bylaw%204415%20-%202026%20Fees%20and%20Charges.pdf)
- [Building Permits (City of Port Coquitlam)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits)

## Related questions

- [Port Coquitlam building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/building-permit.md)
- [Port Coquitlam permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permit fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/building-permit-fees.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/building-permit-fees.md)

## Sources

- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 4415, Schedule E Building Services (PDF)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Bylaw%204415%20-%202026%20Fees%20and%20Charges.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Single-Family or Two-Family Permit, City of Port Coquitlam](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/business-development/property-development-building/building-permits/single-family-or-two-family) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710 (PDF)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/3710%20-%20Building%20%26%20Plumbing%20Bylaw.pdf) (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 Coquitlam. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/building-permit-fees/_