Quesnel building permits: when you need one and how to apply
Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?
Short answer
In Quesnel you need a City building permit for new buildings, additions, plumbing, mobile and modular home set-up, chimneys, swimming pool fences, demolition and many alterations. Apply online through Cloudpermit; the property owner must sign. Call the Building Department at 250-992-2111 if unsure.
Key facts
| Needed for | A permit is required for new buildings, additions, alterations that involve Building Code materials or systems, plumbing, mobile and modular home set-up, chimneys and fireplaces, retaining walls over 1.2 m, swimming pool fences, change of occupancy, temporary buildings and demolition.Building Bylaw 1550, 2003, consolidated September 2011, s. 11.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA permit is required whenever a project regulated by this bylaw is Foundations f or, and set up of , modular and mobile homes; Construction of retaining walls greater than 1.2 meters in height; Construction of swimming pool f ences; Demolit ion of buildings or structures. |
|---|---|
| Not needed for | The bylaw does not apply to landscaping and surfacing (except retaining walls over 1.2 m), decks or patios less than 600 mm from the ground, and accessory buildings under 15 m², plus exemptions in Part 1 of the Building Code.Sources differ: The City's Getting Started page says sheds under 10 m² typically need no permit, which differs from the bylaw's 15 m². The City's FAQ says no permit is needed for a patio directly on the ground. The same page lists on-ground patios, roofing, siding, like-for-like plumbing fixture replacement, and retaining walls under 1.2 m. The only Building Bylaw copy the City posts is a consolidation made for convenience that lists amendments only to 2011 (Bylaws 1683, 1698, 1699); it may be out of date.Building Bylaw 1550, 2003, consolidated September 2011, s. 5.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingthis bylaw does not apply to: Landscaping or other surf acing of land, except retaining walls greater than 1. 2 meters in height; Decks or patios which are less than 600mm f rom the ground; Accessor y buildings less than 15 m2 in building area. |
| How to apply | Apply online through Cloudpermit (create an account at ca.cloudpermit.com/login). The City also posts fillable Standard and Complex application PDFs. The property owner must sign the application.Cloudpermit - Online Permitting, Cloudpermit page; Building FAQs, Who can apply · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe City of Quesnel uses the online community development platform Cloudpermit for building permits and inspections. To start, create your Cloudpermit account by visiting https://ca.cloudpermit.com/login However, the property owner must sign the application. |
| What to submit | A signed application form, a current title search (except for alterations), and scale drawings with site plan, floor plans, elevations and construction details. A foundation design or engineer's report is needed in the steep slope/hazardous area. Plans must show the designer's name and address.Building Bylaw 1550, 2003, consolidated September 2011, ss. 12.2, 13.1, 13.3, 13.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingbe signed by t he owner; be accompanied by a current tit le search f or the propert y Applicat ions f or a standard building located within t he Cit y of Quesnel Steep slope/hazardous area All plans submitted with permit applications shall bear the name and address of the designer of the building or structure. |
| Processing time | Not confirmed. The published pages do not say how long a permit takes. |
| Inspections | Book inspections at least 24 hours ahead, through Cloudpermit or by calling or emailing the Building Department. The inspections needed are shown on the permit; the City gives a morning or afternoon time slot.Building Inspections, Building Inspections page; Building FAQs, Inspections FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBuilding inspections are to be booked with 24 hours notice. You can now book your building inspections online through Cloudpermit. Alternatively, you can call or email the Building Department at 250-992-2111 or buildinginspection@quesnel.ca. The inspections required for your project will be indicated on your permit form. |
| Contact | Building Department, City of Quesnel: 250-992-2111, buildinginspection@quesnel.ca.Getting Started - Building · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingcontact the Building Department at 250-992-2111 or buildinginspection@quesnel.ca. |
| Bylaw | City of Quesnel Building Bylaw Number 1550, 2003.Building Bylaw 1550, 2003, consolidated September 2011, s. 2.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBuilding Bylaw Num ber 1550, 2003 |
How it works
The City of Quesnel's Building Department issues building permits under Building Bylaw 1550. A permit is required for new buildings, additions, alterations that involve Building Code materials or systems, plumbing, mobile and modular home set-up, chimneys and fireplaces, retaining walls over 1.2 m, swimming pool fences, change of occupancy, temporary buildings and demolition. Gas and electrical permits come from Technical Safety BC; plumbing permits use the same City application.
Steps
- Check whether your project needs a permit (see Good to know). If unsure, call 250-992-2111.
- Choose the application: Standard for a Part 9 building of 3 storeys or fewer and a footprint of 600 m2 or less; Complex for larger buildings, designed by a Registered Professional.
- Create a Cloudpermit account (ca.cloudpermit.com/login) or use the fillable application PDFs. The property owner must sign.
- Submit a current title search (not needed for alterations) and scale drawings: site plan, floor plans, elevations and construction details, showing the designer's name and address.
- Book each inspection at least 24 hours ahead in Cloudpermit, or by phone or email. The permit lists which inspections you need; the City gives a morning or afternoon slot, and same-day appointments are not guaranteed.
Good to know
- The bylaw does not apply to landscaping and surfacing (except retaining walls over 1.2 m), decks or patios less than 600 mm from the ground, or accessory buildings under 15 m2. The City's Getting Started page says sheds under 10 m2 typically need no permit, and its FAQ says a deck on joists and beams needs one. Confirm with the Building Department which applies.
- A foundation design or engineer's report is needed in the steep slope or hazardous area, and the City says most development in the west end needs a Geotechnical Report from a registered professional.
- The bylaw copy the City posts is a consolidation for convenience that lists amendments only to 2011, so it may be out of date.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Williams Lake · Prince George · McBride · Vanderhoof · 100 Mile House · Fraser Lake
Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →
Sources
- Getting Started - Building, City of Quesnel (read 2026-11-05)
- Building FAQs, City of Quesnel (read 2026-11-05)
- Cloudpermit - Online Permitting, City of Quesnel (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Permit Applications, City of Quesnel (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Inspections, City of Quesnel (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Bylaw 1550, 2003, consolidated September 2011 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.