---
title: Qualicum Beach building permit fees
question: "How much does a building permit cost in Qualicum Beach?"
place: Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/qualicum-beach
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: Town of Qualicum Beach
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/building-permit-fees/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/building-permit-fees.json"
---

# Qualicum Beach building permit fees

**Question:** How much does a building permit cost in Qualicum Beach?

**Short answer:** In Qualicum Beach the building permit fee is $75 for the first $10,000 of construction value, then $10 per $1,000 up to $100,000, $7 per $1,000 up to $500,000 and $5 per $1,000 above that. A plan processing fee of $40, $100 or $300 is paid with the application.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Town of Qualicum Beach, https://www.qualicumbeach.com)  
**Cost:** $75 for the first $10,000 of value, plus per-$1,000 rates above that; plan processing fee $40, $100 or $300.  
**How long:** The fee must be paid before the permit is issued. Complete residential applications take three to four weeks (see building-permit).  
**Where:**
- In person: Town Hall, #201-660 Primrose Street, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1S7 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
- Phone: Building Inspection, 250-738-2202

## Key facts

- **Lowest fee:** $75 for the minimum permit fee, which covers the first $10,000 of construction value. A plan processing fee of $40 (value under $10,000) is paid at application.
  - Source: [Miscellaneous Rates Bylaw No. 638, 2009 (Consolidated), Schedule E, item b) and a)](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Miscellaneous%20Rates%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20638%2C%202009/Miscellaneous%20Rates%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20638%2C%202009%20(Consolidated%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Minimum and first $10,000" … "$75.00" … "Plan Processing Fees" … "Under $10,000.00" … "$ 40.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How the fee is worked out:** Based on declared construction value (or the Marshall & Swift Residential Cost Handbook value, whichever is greater): $75 for the first $10,000; $10 per $1,000 from $10,001 to $100,000; $7 per $1,000 from $100,001 to $500,000; $5 per $1,000 over $500,000. Work started before the permit is issued adds $150.
  - Source: [Miscellaneous Rates Bylaw No. 638, 2009 (Consolidated), Schedule E, item b)](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Miscellaneous%20Rates%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20638%2C%202009/Miscellaneous%20Rates%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20638%2C%202009%20(Consolidated%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Minimum and first $10,000" … "$10,001 up to $100,000 value" … "$10.00 per $1,000" … "$100,001 up to $500,000 value" … "$7.00 per $1,000" … "over $500,000 value" … "$5.00 per $1,000" … "Work commenced prior to Permit issuance" … "$150.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Application or plan review fee:** Plan processing fee, paid with the application: $40 if construction value is under $10,000; $100 for $10,000 to $50,000; $300 over $50,000. It is non-refundable and not included in the refundable part of the permit fee.
  - Source: [Miscellaneous Rates Bylaw No. 638, 2009 (Consolidated), Schedule E, item a)](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Miscellaneous%20Rates%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20638%2C%202009/Miscellaneous%20Rates%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20638%2C%202009%20(Consolidated%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: ""Town of Qualicum Beach Miscellaneous Rates Bylaw No. 638, 2009" (Bylaw No. 638.03) ITEM FEE a) Plan Processing Fees -Under $10,000.00 $ 40.00 -$10,000 to $50,000 $100.00 -Over $50,000 $300.00" … "ITEM FEE a) Plan Processing Fees -Under $10,000.00 $ 40.00 -$10,000 to $50,000 $100.00 -Over $50,000 $300.00 b) Permit Fees: (based on the estimated construction value as declared or"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 903, 2024, s. 10.13](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Building%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20903%2C%202024%2Epdf)
  - Official wording: "the refundable amount does not include the plan processing fee"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees:** Plumbing fixture $8 each; demolition permit $100; moving permit $100; re-inspection (third and later inspection of the same stage) $50; special inspection $100; permit renewal $50 or $2 per $1,000 of remaining work, whichever is greater; wood-burning appliance or chimney permit $75; transfer of permit $50; title search $20. Refundable security: $1,000 (up to $500,000 value) or $1,500 (over); demolition security $15 per m² (single family or duplex) or $80 per m² (other).
  - Source: [Miscellaneous Rates Bylaw No. 638, 2009 (Consolidated), Schedule E, items c) to q)](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Miscellaneous%20Rates%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20638%2C%202009/Miscellaneous%20Rates%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20638%2C%202009%20(Consolidated%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Plumbing Fixture Fee (per plumbing drain)" … "$8.00 ea." … "Demolition Permit Fee" … "$100.00" … "Moving Permit Fee (for moving of structure only)" … "Re-inspection Fee" … "$50.00" … "Special Inspection Fee" … "Building Permit Renewal Fee -Minimum or" … "$2.00 per $1,000" … "Wood-Burning Appliance/Chimney Permit Fee" … "$75.00" … "Transfer of Permit Fee (transfer to new property owner)" … "Title Search" … "$20.00" … "up to $500,000 in construction value" … "$1,000.00" … "for value over $500,000" … "$1,500.00" … "Single Family/Duplex Dwelling" … "$15.00 per m2" … "$80.00 per m2"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to pay:** Application and payment must be sent together, in person at Town Hall or by mail. The permit fee must be paid before the permit is issued.
  - Source: [Building Applications and Resources, Building Permit Applications](https://qualicumbeach.com/building-development/building-permits/application-forms/)
  - Official wording: "Applications and payment must be submitted together, by one of the following methods:"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 903, 2024, s. 10.7](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Building%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20903%2C%202024%2Epdf)
  - Official wording: "Before receiving a building permit for a building or structure, the owner must first" … "pay to the Town"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Town of Qualicum Beach Miscellaneous Rates Bylaw No. 638, 2009, Schedule E (Building Permit Fees and Charges), as set by the Building Bylaw No. 903, 2024
  - Source: [Miscellaneous Rates Bylaw No. 638, 2009 (Consolidated), Schedule E](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Miscellaneous%20Rates%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20638%2C%202009/Miscellaneous%20Rates%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20638%2C%202009%20(Consolidated%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Schedule “E” – Building Permit Fees and Charges [Building Bylaw No. 903, 2024]" … "Consolidated for Convenience (as of June 30, 2026) to Amendment Bylaw No. 638.08"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 903, 2024, s. 10.7](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Building%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20903%2C%202024%2Epdf)
  - Official wording: "Miscellaneous Rates Bylaw No. 638, 2009"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Qualicum Beach sets building permit fees in Schedule E of the [Miscellaneous Rates Bylaw No. 638, 2009](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Miscellaneous%20Rates%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20638%2C%202009/Miscellaneous%20Rates%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20638%2C%202009%20(Consolidated).pdf), which the [Building Bylaw No. 903, 2024](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Building%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20903%2C%202024%2Epdf) refers to. The fee is based on the declared construction value, or the Marshall & Swift Residential Cost Handbook value, whichever is greater.

**Permit fee:**

- $75 for the first $10,000 (the minimum permit fee)
- $10 per $1,000 from $10,001 to $100,000
- $7 per $1,000 from $100,001 to $500,000
- $5 per $1,000 over $500,000
- Work started before the permit is issued adds $150

**Plan processing fee,** paid with the application: $40 if construction value is under $10,000; $100 for $10,000 to $50,000; $300 over $50,000. It is non-refundable and not part of the refundable portion of the permit fee.

**Other fees:** plumbing fixture $8 each; demolition permit $100; moving permit $100; wood-burning appliance or chimney permit $75; special inspection $100; re-inspection (third and later inspection of the same stage) $50; permit renewal $50 or $2 per $1,000 of remaining work, whichever is greater; transfer of permit $50; title search $20.

**Refundable security:** $1,000 (value up to $500,000) or $1,500 (over). Demolition security is $15 per m² (single family or duplex) or $80 per m² (other).

## Steps

1. Work out the construction value of your project.
2. Send the application and payment together, in person at Town Hall or by mail.
3. Pay the permit fee before the permit is issued.

## Good to know

- The Town's pages do not list accepted payment methods; ask Building Inspection (250-738-2202).
- The bylaw's fee schedule is the source here; confirm your total with the Town before you pay.

## Official forms and pages

- [Miscellaneous Rates Bylaw No. 638, 2009, Schedule E (PDF)](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Miscellaneous%20Rates%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20638%2C%202009/Miscellaneous%20Rates%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20638%2C%202009%20(Consolidated%29.pdf)
- [Building Bylaw No. 903, 2024 (PDF)](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Building%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20903%2C%202024%2Epdf)

## Related questions

- [Qualicum Beach building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/building-permit.md)
- [Qualicum Beach permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Qualicum Beach secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/secondary-suite.md)
- [Qualicum Beach zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permit fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Parksville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Port Alberni](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Nanaimo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Sechelt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/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)

## Sources

- [Miscellaneous Rates Bylaw No. 638, 2009 (Consolidated) (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Miscellaneous%20Rates%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20638%2C%202009/Miscellaneous%20Rates%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20638%2C%202009%20(Consolidated%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building Bylaw No. 903, 2024 (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Building%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20903%2C%202024%2Epdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building Applications and Resources, Town of Qualicum Beach](https://qualicumbeach.com/building-development/building-permits/application-forms/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Contact Us, Town of Qualicum Beach](https://qualicumbeach.com/government/contact-us/) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 Town of Qualicum Beach. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/building-permit-fees/_