Saanich building permits: when you need one and how to apply
Do I need a building permit in Saanich, and how do I apply?
Short answer
In Saanich you need a District building permit to build, alter, move or demolish a building, and for any new building over 10 m² (107 sq ft). Apply online through a MySaanich account. For a complete application the District aims to respond within 12 business days (residential).
Key facts
| Needed for | A building permit is needed before constructing, plumbing, repairing or altering a building or structure (including a retaining wall), moving or demolishing one, occupying a new one, installing a masonry fireplace or wood-burning appliance, or changing its use. Saanich's Q&A: all new buildings over 10 m² (107 sq ft). A separate application is needed for each structure.Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, s. 7.1; Permit Q&A; Residential Permits · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingconstructing, plumbing, repairing or altering a building or structure, including a retaining wall changing the use or occupancy of a building You need a building permit for all new buildings over 10 sq m (107 sq ft). a separate Building Permit application is still required FOR EACH STRUCTURE |
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| Not needed for | Not needed for: minor repairs or alterations to non-structural parts; repairing or replacing a fixture or water heater with no piping change; an accessory building under 10 m² used for utility purposes that creates no hazard; retaining structures under 1.20 m high; a fence (but see retaining walls); a trellis, arbour or similar landscape structure on a single-family lot, or a soil-supporting wall under 1.20 m.Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, s. 7.3; Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, s. 3.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingfor minor repairs or alterations to non-structural components of a building for an accessory building less than 10 square metres in area that is used for utility for retaining structures less than 1.20 metres in height except as set out in Part 11 [Retaining Walls] of this bylaw, a fence a trellis, an arbour, a wall supporting soil that is less than 1.20 metres in height |
| How to apply | Online. Create a MySaanich account and use one of the residential portals (New Build, Addition, Renovation, Other, Demolition); commercial permits have their own online application. Incomplete applications are not accepted.Residential Permits; Permit Q&A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA MySaanich account is required to complete an application, upload documents, pay application fees, book inspections, view your application status and more! launch of five digital submission portals Access the Commercial Building Permit application here. Incomplete applications are not accepted. |
| What to submit | Depends on permit type. For a new build (single-family dwelling, garden suite, houseplex or accessory building over 10 m²): a title search no more than 30 days old, copies of encumbrances Saanich is party to, digital plans, arborist report, letters of assurance if designed by a registered professional, energy compliance report, stormwater design (most new dwellings), project data table.Residential Building Permit - New checklist · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingTitle Search (current within 30 days) Digital Plans Project Data Table (if not provided on the plans) Letters of Assurance (if designed by a Registered |
| Processing time | For a complete application the District aims to respond within 12 business days (residential) or 15 days (commercial). The first response may be comments, not a permit. A garden suite permit takes about six weeks from a complete application.Inspection Services, Building Permit Application Review Timelines; Garden Suites, Garden Suites FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingthe District aims to provide a response within 12 business days for a residential application and 15 days for a commercial application An initial response does not mean that the building permit is ready to be issued. Upon receipt of a complete application, it will take approximately six weeks to obtain a Building Permit. |
| Inspections | Book through your MySaanich account or by calling 250-475-5458; book before 3:00 p.m. on the business day before to be inspected the next business day. The Building Bylaw (s. 7.13) separately requires at least 48 hours' notice before covering work or for a final inspection.Sources differ: see the sources below.Residential Inspections Guide; Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, s. 7.13 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinggoing online to your MySaanich account, or by calling 250-475-5458 Inspections must be booked before 3:00 p.m. on the business day before the required inspection to be inspected the next business day. every owner must give at least 48 hours’ notice (b) of intent to cover work that is required under this bylaw to be, or has been ordered |
| Contact | Inspection Services, District of Saanich, 770 Vernon Avenue, Victoria BC V8X 2W7. Phone 250-475-5457, email inspections@saanich.ca. Inspections booking line 250-475-5458.Residential Building Permit - New checklist; Residential Inspections Guide · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDistrict of Saanich 770 Vernon Avenue Checklist for Victoria BC V8X 2W7 t. 250-475-5457 Residential Building Permit - New Checklist for Victoria BC V8X 2W7 t. 250-475-5457 Residential Building Permit - New f. 250-475-5418 District of Saanich - Inspection Services f. 250-475-5418 District of Saanich - Inspection Services inspections@saanich.ca SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING, GARDEN SUITE, HOUSEPLEX OR going online to your MySaanich account, or by calling 250-475-5458 |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBUILDING BYLAW, 2019, NO. 9529 |
How it works
Saanich's Inspection Services reviews applications against the BC Building Code and the District's Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, then inspects the work.
A permit is needed before you construct, plumb, repair or alter a building or structure (including a retaining wall), move or demolish one, occupy a new one, install a masonry fireplace or wood-burning appliance, or change a building's use. Saanich's Permit Q&A says all new buildings over 10 m² (107 sq ft) need one. Each structure needs its own application.
The bylaw does not require a permit for minor repairs to non-structural parts, replacing a fixture or water heater with no piping change, an accessory building under 10 m² used for utility purposes that creates no hazard, retaining structures under 1.20 m high, a fence, or a trellis, arbour or similar landscape structure on a single-family lot. The Q&A also lists patios and pools as not needing a building permit, though a plumbing permit and pool fence rules may apply.
Steps
- Create a MySaanich account.
- Choose the portal for your project: New Build, Addition, Renovation, Other or Demolition. Commercial permits have their own online application.
- Upload what the checklist asks for. For a new build that includes a title search no more than 30 days old, digital plans, an arborist report, an energy compliance report and, for most new dwellings, a stormwater design. Incomplete applications are not accepted.
- Pay the application fee. The permit fee and other District charges must be paid before the permit is issued.
- Book inspections through MySaanich or on 250-475-5458.
Good to know
- To be inspected the next business day, book before 3:00 p.m. the business day before. The bylaw separately requires at least 48 hours' notice before covering work or for a final inspection, so plan for the longer notice.
- Processing times are targets. A garden suite permit takes about six weeks from a complete application.
- Checklists for other project types are separate PDFs on the Residential Permits page.
What you'll need
- Title search no more than 30 days old (new build)
- Copies of encumbrances Saanich is party to
- Digital plans
- Arborist report
- Letters of assurance, if a registered professional designed it
- Energy compliance report, stormwater design (most new dwellings) and project data table
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Oak Bay · Esquimalt · Victoria · View Royal · Central Saanich · Colwood
Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Permit Q&A, District of Saanich (read 2026-11-06)
- Residential Permits, District of Saanich (read 2026-11-06)
- Inspection Services, District of Saanich (read 2026-11-06)
- Residential Building Permit - New checklist (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Residential Inspections Guide (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Garden Suites, District of Saanich (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.