Richmond building permits: when you need one and how to apply

Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?

Richmond, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In Richmond you need a City building permit before you build, add to, alter or repair a building, finish a basement, move or demolish a building, or change how a building is used. Apply online through MyPermit, or in person at the Permits Counter in City Hall.

Key facts

Needed for	A building permit is needed before starting construction or changing a building's use or occupancy. This covers new buildings, additions, alterations, renovations and repairs, finishing a basement, moving or demolishing a building, pools over 15 m² and 1 m deep, retaining walls over 1 m, and wood-burning chimneys. Gas and plumbing work need their own permits.Building Regulation Bylaw 7230 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 10572, July 8, 2024), s. 5.1.1; Building Approvals FAQs, Permit Application FAQs · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording a building permit prior to commencement of construction, or prior to a change in the use, occupancy or both, of a building or structure a gas permit prior to undertaking any gas work a plumbing permit prior to undertaking any plumbing Construct a new building. Add to an existing building. Complete an unfinished area in an existing building; eg: basement, recreation room. Construct swimming pools with a surface area exceeding 15 square metres(161.5 square feet), and a depth exceeding 1 metre (3.28 feet). Construct retaining walls greater than 1 metre (3.28 feet) in height. Install a chimney for a wood burning appliance.
Not needed for	One storage building under 10 m² with no mechanical services (Bylaw 7230 s. 5.1.2). The City's guide also lists cupboards, painting, patios and decks under 600 mm above grade, sidewalks, driveways, roofing and exterior finish repair, and fences, but Bulletin Building-44 says a fence with concrete foundations needs a permit. Work must still meet the BC Building Code and Zoning Bylaw.Building Regulation Bylaw 7230 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 10572, July 8, 2024), s. 5.1.2; A Guide for the Homeowner (PC-32, PDF), s. 2(b) When are permits NOT required? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording of a single storage building or structure less than 10 square metres in area, in which there are no mechanical services Permits are not required for minor modifications such as: Landscaping, including patios and decks less than 600 mm (2.0 feet) above grade; Sidewalks and driveways; Roofing repair or replacement; homeowners are responsible to ensure that the work conforms to the requirements of the BC Building Code and the Zoning Bylaw Fences (fence height must comply with intersection sightline requirements and the Zoning Bylaw);
How to apply	Apply online through MyPermit (in a MyRichmond account) for single-family, small-scale multi-unit housing and addition or alteration building permits. Not all permits are online; others are submitted in person (Permits Counter, City Hall) or by email.MyPermit Application Portal, Available Applications on MyPermit; Building Approvals FAQs, How do I apply for a Building Permit? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Building Permit, Single Family Dwelling Building Permit, Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Building Permit, Addition/Alteration, Commercial, Office, Industrial, Residential Not all permits are available online. Not all permits are available online. These applications must still be submitted outside of MyPermit in person or through email. A complete application may be submitted at the Permits Counter in City Hall.
What to submit	A completed permit application form, all required supporting documents and the plan processing fee. When the building inspector requires it, at least two complete sets of plans drawn to scale. Proof of ownership if the property was recently purchased. A geotechnical soils report where there is peat or fill.Building Approvals FAQs, How do I apply for a Building Permit?; Building Regulation Bylaw 7230 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 10572, July 8, 2024), s. 5.3.1(e); A Guide for the Homeowner (PC-32, PDF), s. 2(d) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording you must submit a completed permit application along with all required supporting documents and a plan processing fee a minimum of two complete sets of plans, drawn to scale, and supporting documents Proof of ownership is required if you have recently purchased the property A Geotechnical Engineer is required to prepare a soils report
Processing time	Not confirmed. The published pages do not say how long a permit takes.
Inspections	Book inspections online (permit number and access code needed). A request made before 8:00 p.m. is scheduled for the next business day; a.m. or p.m. times cannot be guaranteed. The cut-off to cancel is 7:00 a.m.Building Approvals FAQs, Online Inspections Scheduling & Permits Inquiries · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Each inspection is scheduled for the next business day if scheduled prior to 8:00 p.m. The cut-off time to cancel an inspection is 7:00am. Inspections for Building, Demolition, Gas, Plumbing, Sprinkler, or Site Service can be requested online.
Contact	Building Approvals Department: building@richmond.ca or 604-276-4118, or visit the Permits Counter at City Hall.Building Approvals FAQs, general inquiry; Home Building and Renovations Guide · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Contact the Building Approvals Department by emailing building@richmond.ca or visit the Permits Counter at City Hall. via email at building@richmond.ca or by phone at 604-276-4118
Bylaw	Building Regulation Bylaw No. 7230Building Regulation Bylaw 7230 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 10572, July 8, 2024), title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording BUILDING REGULATION BYLAW BYLAW NO. 7230

How it works

The City of Richmond's Building Regulation Bylaw 7230 requires a building permit before construction starts, or before the use or occupancy of a building changes. Gas and plumbing work need their own permits. Work must also meet the BC Building Code and the Zoning Bylaw.

Steps

Check your zoning first: call the Zoning Inquiry Line at 604-276-4017 or use the Richmond Interactive Map.
Apply on MyPermit (in a MyRichmond account) for single-family, small-scale multi-unit housing, and addition or alteration permits. Other permits are not all online; they are submitted at the Permits Counter in City Hall or by email.
Submit the completed form, supporting documents and plan processing fee.
When the permit is ready, pay all balances at the Permits Counter in City Hall (credit card, debit or cheque), or online through MyPermit.
Book inspections online with your permit number and access code. A request made before 8:00 p.m. is scheduled for the next business day, but morning or afternoon times cannot be guaranteed. Cancel by 7:00 a.m.

Good to know

A permit is needed to construct a new building, add to or alter one, finish a basement, move or demolish a building, build a pool over 15 m² and over 1 m deep, build a retaining wall over 1 m high, or install a wood-burning chimney.
The bylaw exempts one storage building under 10 m² with no mechanical services. The City's guide also lists cupboards, painting, patios and decks under 600 mm above grade, sidewalks, driveways, roofing and exterior finish repair, and fences.
Bulletin Building-44 says a fence with concrete foundations does need a permit. See the fence-rules answer, and ask Building Approvals before you build.
Cutting trees needs a separate City permit (see tree-removal).

What you'll need

Completed permit application form and the plan processing fee
At least two complete sets of plans drawn to scale, when the building inspector requires them
Proof of ownership if the property was recently purchased
A geotechnical soils report where there is peat or fill

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Vancouver · Burnaby · North Vancouver · New Westminster · Delta · District of North Vancouver

Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →

Sources

Building Approvals FAQs, City of Richmond (read 2026-11-05)
MyPermit Application Portal, City of Richmond (read 2026-11-05)
Home Building and Renovations Guide, City of Richmond (read 2026-11-05)
A Guide for the Homeowner (PC-32, PDF), City of Richmond (read 2026-11-05)
Building Regulation Bylaw 7230 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 10572, July 8, 2024) (read 2026-11-05)
Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636 (PDF), City of Richmond (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.