Qualicum Beach building permits: when you need one and how to apply
Do I need a building permit in Qualicum Beach, and how do I apply?
Short answer
In Qualicum Beach you need a Town building permit for any new building or structure, additions, alterations, decks, pools, suites, demolition and new accessory buildings over 10 m². Apply in person at Town Hall or by mail. The Town says complete residential applications take three to four weeks.
Key facts
| Needed for | A permit is needed to construct any new building or structure, a new accessory building over 10 m², additions, alterations or structural repairs, a secondary or garden suite, a deck, a swimming pool, plumbing work, a new chimney or woodstove, enclosing a carport or turning a garage into living space, demolition or moving, and changes of use. Work cannot start until the permit is issued.Building Applications and Resources, Building Permit FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingConstruct any new building or structure Construct a new accessory building (greater than 10 m²) Create a secondary suite or garden suite Remodel or construct a deck Enclose your carport or change your garage to living space Projects cannot start, including demolition or excavation, until a building permit has been issued. |
|---|---|
| Not needed for | The Building Bylaw does not apply to: uncovered decks, steps, landings, ramps and patios not more than 0.5 m above finished grade with no walls or roof; repair and maintenance that does not lower safety or performance; trellises and arbours open to the sides and sky; soil-retaining walls under 1.2 m on single or two-family lots; replacing plumbing fixtures without moving pipes; and a temporary detached tent that follows the zoning bylaw.Building Bylaw No. 903, 2024, s. 3.3 and s. 10.56 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinguncovered decks, steps, landings, ramps and patios not more than 0.5 repair and maintenance of lawfully-conforming structures a trellis, an arbour, or other similar landscape structures which are the replacement of plumbing fixtures A building permit is not required for a temporary detached tent |
| How to apply | Apply in person at Town Hall (#201-660 Primrose Street, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) or by mail (PO Box 130, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1S7). Application and payment must be sent together. The owner or the owner's agent may apply. Forms are on the Town's Building Applications and Resources page.Building Applications and Resources, Building Permit Applications · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingApplications and payment must be submitted together, by one of the following methods: Mail: Town of Qualicum Beach, PO Box 130, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1S7 Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm A registered owner or an agent for the owner may apply for a Building Permit. |
| What to submit | Title search; site plan and tree protection plan; owner's acknowledgement of responsibility; two sets of construction plans (11x17 or larger); energy efficiency compliance (pre-construction report); and stamped documents from registered professionals. Also, where they apply: hazardous materials assessment (homes built before 1990), BC Housing new home registration, septic filing form, and an erosion and sediment control plan (disturbed area over 500 m²).Building Applications and Resources, Required Documentation for Building Permit Applications · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingTitle Search Site Plan & Tree Protection Plan Two complete sets of Construction Plans (11×17 or larger) Energy Efficiency Compliance (pre-construction report) Hazardous Materials Assessment (homes built before 1990) Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (where the disturbed area exceeds 500 m2 ) |
| Processing time | Three to four weeks for complete applications for residential permits (new houses, additions, alterations, accessory buildings), small commercial projects without development permits or off-site works, and tenant improvements. Large commercial permits vary by project.Building Applications and Resources, Building Permit FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingComplete applications can expect a processing time is three to four weeks for residential permits Large commercial permits, including development permits and/or off-site works and services, vary by project. |
| Inspections | The permit holder must call for each required inspection. For simple buildings, give the Town at least 24 hours' notice when requesting an inspection (for example, footings before concrete is poured). For complex buildings, at least 48 hours' notice for a pre-occupancy review.Building Applications and Resources, Building Permit Application page; Building Bylaw No. 903, 2024, s. 10.30 and s. 10.34 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingIt is the responsibility of the permit recipient to call for all required inspections throughout the building process. the owner must give at least 24 hours’ notice to the Town when requesting an inspection give at least 48 hours’ notice to the Town when requesting a pre- |
| Contact | Building Inspection, Town of Qualicum Beach: 250-738-2202. Town Hall general line 250-752-6921; email qbtown@qualicumbeach.com.Contact Us, Get in Touch · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording| 250.752.6921 | Bylaw Enforcement | 250.738.2205 | Building Inspection | 250.738.2202 | Cemetery | 250.752.6921 #201 - 660 Primrose Street/ PO Box 130 Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1S7 (View on Maps) Phone: 250.752.6921 Fax: 250.752.1243 Email: qbtown@qualicumbeach.com Fax: 250.752.1243 Email: qbtown@qualicumbeach.com Town Hall Hours: 9am-4pm Monday to Friday. Town Hall is closed on all Statutory Holidays. |
| Bylaw | Town of Qualicum Beach Building Bylaw No. 903, 2024Building Applications and Resources, Town of Qualicum Beach Building Resources; Building Bylaw No. 903, 2024, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBuilding Bylaw No. 903, 2024 BUILDING BYLAW NO. 903, 2024 |
How it works
The Town of Qualicum Beach issues building permits under its Building Bylaw No. 903, 2024. Work, including demolition or excavation, cannot start until the permit is issued.
A permit is needed to:
- construct any new building or structure, or a new accessory building over 10 m²
- build an addition, alteration or structural repair
- create a secondary or garden suite
- build a deck or swimming pool, do plumbing work, or install a new chimney or woodstove
- enclose a carport or turn a garage into living space
- demolish or move a building, or change its use
The bylaw does not apply to: uncovered decks, steps, landings, ramps and patios not more than 0.5 m above finished grade with no walls or roof; repair and maintenance that does not lower safety or performance; trellises and arbours open to the sides and sky; soil-retaining walls under 1.2 m on single or two-family lots; replacing plumbing fixtures without moving pipes; and a temporary detached tent that follows the zoning bylaw.
Steps
- Check the zone and what you can build (see zoning-lookup).
- Gather the documents listed above from the Town's Building Applications and Resources page.
- Bring the application and payment together to Town Hall, or mail them to PO Box 130. The owner or the owner's agent may apply.
- Pay the permit fee before the permit is issued.
- Call the Town for each required inspection.
Good to know
- For simple buildings, give at least 24 hours' notice when requesting an inspection (for example, footings before concrete is poured). For complex buildings, give at least 48 hours' notice for a pre-occupancy review.
- Building Inspection is 250-738-2202. The general Town Hall line is 250-752-6921.
What you'll need
- Title search
- Site plan and tree protection plan
- Owner's acknowledgement of responsibility
- Two sets of construction plans (11x17 or larger)
- Energy efficiency compliance (pre-construction report)
- Stamped documents from registered professionals
- Where they apply, a hazardous materials assessment (homes built before 1990), BC Housing new home registration, a septic filing form, and an erosion and sediment control plan (disturbed area over 500 m²)
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Parksville · Lantzville · Port Alberni · Nanaimo · Sechelt · Comox
Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Applications and Resources, Town of Qualicum Beach (read 2026-11-06)
- Building Bylaw No. 903, 2024 (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach (read 2026-11-06)
- Contact Us, Town of Qualicum Beach (read 2026-11-06)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 8 of 8 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.