Saanich building permit fees

How much does a building permit cost in Saanich?

Saanich, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Saanich a building permit costs $100 for the first $1,000 of value, plus $13 per $1,000 for the next $499,000, plus $10 per $1,000 above $500,000. A non-refundable application fee of $100 or more is paid with the application and counts toward the permit fee.

Key facts

Lowest fee	$100 (permits where the value of the work is $1,000 or less). The non-refundable application fee is $100 for work under $15,000 and counts toward the permit fee.Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, Appendix A, Building Permit Fees s. 2(a); Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, Appendix A s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording For permits where the value of the work is $1,000.00 or less: $100.00; $100.00: for permits where the value of the work is less than $15,000.00;
How the fee is worked out	$100 for the first $1,000 of value, plus $13 per $1,000 for the next $499,000, plus $10 per $1,000 for value above $500,000. Value is set by the Manager of Inspection Services.Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, Appendix A s. 2(b); Permit Q&A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording $100.00 for the first $1,000.00 plus; $13.00 per thousand for the next $499,000.00 plus; $10.00 per thousand for all value in excess of $500,000.00. We base fee charges on the value of construction, as determined by the Manager of Inspection Services.
Application or plan review fee	Non-refundable application fee paid with the application: $100 (under $15,000), $300 ($15,001 to $100,000), $1,000 ($100,001 to $500,000), $3,000 ($500,001 to $2 million), $7,500 ($2 million to $10 million), $15,000 (over $10 million). It is part of the permit fee, not extra.Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, Appendix A s. 1 and 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording An application shall be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee $300.00: for permits where the value of the work is $15,001.00 $1,000.00: for permits where the value of the work is $100,001.00 shall form part of, and is not in addition to, the building permit fee
Other fees	Demolition $50 (waived if part of a building permit for one structure). Plumbing $20 a fixture; $50 application fee waived with a building permit. Security deposit: $1,000 for additions or accessory buildings over 25 m², $2,000 new single family dwelling, $10,000 complex building. Fee doubles (up to $20,000 extra) if work starts early.Sources differ: Water and sewer service connection fees, development cost charges, re-inspection fees (from the third re-inspection), permit extension $200 and other charges are in Appendix A and the Service Connection Fees page. The Permit Fees PDF (updated September 2025) matches the bylaw Appendix A figures.Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, Appendix A, Building and Plumbing fees; Permit Q&A; Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, s. 10.16 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording shall be $50.00. Plumbing Fixtures (each) $20.00 Waived if part of a Building Permit an accessory building greater than 25 square (c) for a new single family dwelling or simple building (including demolition of (d) for a complex building: $10,000.00; $1,000 - New Accessory Building $2,000 - New Single Family Dwellings and Simple Buildings the demolition fee is waived The building permit or other permit fee is doubled for every permit application if construction commenced before the building official issued a permit, to a maximum of $20,000.00 over and above the standard fee.
How to pay	The application fee is paid when applying (online through MySaanich). Under Building Bylaw s. 10.8 the security deposit is also paid at application (the Permit Q&A says at issuance). The permit fee and other District charges must be paid before the permit is issued.Sources differ: Bylaw s. 10.8 says the security deposit is paid at the time of application; the Q&A says at issuance. Not resolved; wording differs.Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, s. 10.7; Residential Permits; Permit Q&A; Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, s. 10.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Before receiving a building permit for a building or structure, the owner must first pay to the District the building permit fee prescribed in Appendix A An applicant for a building permit must pay to the District, at the time of the application, Before receiving a building permit for a building or structure, the owner must first pay to upload documents, pay application fees Surety deposits are paid at the time of issuance of Building Permits. An applicant for a building permit must pay to the District, at the time of the application
Bylaw	Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, Part 21 Appendix A (Fees)Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, title and Part 21 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording BUILDING BYLAW, 2019, NO. 9529 PART 21: APPENDIX A

How it works

Fees are set in Appendix A of the Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529. The permit fee is $100 for the first $1,000 of value, plus $13 per $1,000 for the next $499,000, plus $10 per $1,000 for value above $500,000. For permits where the value of the work is $1,000 or less, the fee is $100. The Manager of Inspection Services sets the value of the work.

A non-refundable application fee is paid with the application and is part of the permit fee, not extra:

$100 for work under $15,000
$300 for $15,001 to $100,000
$1,000 for $100,001 to $500,000
$3,000 for $500,001 to $2 million
$7,500 for $2 million to $10 million
$15,000 for over $10 million

Steps

Apply online through MySaanich and pay the application fee.
Pay the permit fee and any other District charges before the permit is issued.
Pay any security deposit that applies.

Good to know

Other fees: demolition $50 (waived if part of a building permit for one structure); plumbing $20 a fixture, with the $50 plumbing application fee waived when you have a building permit.
Security deposit: $1,000 for additions or accessory buildings over 25 m², $2,000 for a new single family dwelling, $10,000 for a complex building.
The fee doubles (up to $20,000 extra) if work starts early.
The bylaw says the security deposit is paid at application, while the Permit Q&A says at issuance. Confirm with Inspection Services.
Water and sewer connection fees, development cost charges and re-inspection fees are separate. See Appendix A and the District's Service Connection Fees page.