Port Coquitlam building permit fees
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.
Key facts
| Lowest fee | $120 for construction value up to $5,000, paid at application ($0 more before issuance).Fees and Charges Bylaw 4415, Schedule E Building Services, Schedule E, Table 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingUp to $5,000 $120 0 |
|---|---|
| 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.Fees and Charges Bylaw 4415, Schedule E Building Services, Schedule E, Table 1 and Notes; Table 6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official 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 |
| 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.Fees and Charges Bylaw 4415, Schedule E Building Services, Schedule E, Table 1 notes and refund paragraph; Single-Family or Two-Family Permit, Fees, Charges, and Security/Deposit · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFees 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; non-refundable 50% charge due at the time of application |
| 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.Fees and Charges Bylaw 4415, Schedule E Building Services, Schedule E, Tables 1, 2, 6, 7; Single-Family or Two-Family Permit, Fees, Charges, and Security/Deposit · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDemolition 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. A Highway Use Permit deposit may be required. |
| 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.Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710, s. 12.1 and 12.2; Single-Family or Two-Family Permit, Permit Issuance; Fees, Charges, and Security/Deposit · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe 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. 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. |
| Bylaw | Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2025, No. 4415, Schedule E (Building Services), under the Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 3710Sources 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.Fees and Charges Bylaw 4415, Schedule E Building Services; Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710, s. 12.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBUILDING SERVICES This Schedule to the Fees and Charges Bylaw implements fees and charges pursuant to the fee, calculated in accordance with the Fees and Charges Bylaw, shall be paid in |
How it works
The City of Port Coquitlam sets building permit fees in Schedule E of its Fees and Charges Bylaw 4415, 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
The same question in other places
Coquitlam · New Westminster · Port Moody · Belcarra · Anmore · Burnaby
Sources
- Fees and Charges Bylaw 4415, Schedule E Building Services (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Single-Family or Two-Family Permit, City of Port Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710 (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. How answers are checked.