---
title: Squamish building permit fees
question: "How much does a building permit cost in Squamish?"
place: Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/squamish
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Squamish
sources_read: 2026-11-09
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/building-permit-fees/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/building-permit-fees.json"
---

# Squamish building permit fees

**Question:** How much does a building permit cost in Squamish?

**Short answer:** Squamish lists a $200 application fee for projects valued below $100,000. This is the application charge. The remaining permit balance is payable when the permit is collected.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Squamish, https://squamish.ca)  
**Cost:** The base minimum permit or plan-processing fee is $200. Higher development values have higher processing fees. This is separate from the value-based building permit charge. Squamish lists a $200 application fee for projects valued below $100,000.  

## Key facts

- **Lowest fee:** The base minimum permit or plan-processing fee is $200. Higher development values have higher processing fees. This is separate from the value-based building permit charge.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3185, 2025, Schedule 4, section 4.1, minimum permit / plan processing fee](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/259432)
  - Official wording: "4.1 Building Permit Fees (subject to applicable taxes on printed material) Fee Unit Credit Card Surcharge Building Permit Fees Low Carbon, Self-sufficient Building Tenant Improvement (non-residential) Affordable housing (privately-built and owned) Minimum Permit / Plan Processing Fee Development value about $100,000 except Tenant Improvement (non-residential) and Accessory Dwelling Unit Development value above $1,000,000 Development value about $5,000,000 $11 $7 $7 $9 $200 $500 $1,000 $3,000 / $1,000 of development Minimum fee"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **How the fee is worked out:** The standard fee is $11 per $1,000 of development value. Low-carbon self-sufficient buildings and non-residential tenant improvements have a $7 rate. Privately built and owned affordable housing has a $9 rate.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3185, 2025, Schedule 4, section 4.1](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/259432)
  - Official wording: "4.1 Building Permit Fees (subject to applicable taxes on printed material) Fee Unit Credit Card Surcharge Building Permit Fees $11 / $1,000 of 2.4% Low Carbon, Self-sufficient Building $7 development Tenant Improvement (non-residential) $7 Affordable housing (privately-built and owned) $9"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Application or plan review fee:** Squamish lists a $200 application fee for projects valued below $100,000.
  - Source: [FAQ - Building Permit, How much does a permit cost?](https://squamish.ca/building-and-land-development/building-permit/faq-building-permit/)
  - Official wording: "* An application under $100,000 construction value is $200."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Other fees:** A partial permit, such as a foundation permit, costs $200 plus 50% of the applicable building permit fee. If no work starts, a 75% refund rule applies to the building permit fee. The minimum processing fee is non-refundable.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3185, 2025, Schedule 4, partial permits and refunds](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/259432)
  - Official wording: "Partial Permit Fee e.g. Foundation $200 + / building 2.4% 50% of applicable Building Permit fee" … "A 75% refund will apply to the building permit fee if no work is started. The Minimum Permit / Plan Processing Fee shall be non-refundable."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **How to pay:** Pay the balance at Municipal Hall on collection, by cash, cheque, debit, money order or credit card up to $2,000.
  - Source: [FAQ - Building Permit, How can I pay for my building permit?](https://squamish.ca/building-and-land-development/building-permit/faq-building-permit/)
  - Official wording: "You pay for the balance or your building permit when you collect it from Municipal Hall. Building permit fees are paid in cash, cheque, debit, credit (up to $2,000) or money order payable to the District of Squamish."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Bylaw:** Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3185, 2025, Schedule 4.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3185, 2025, Schedule 4, building permit and inspection services](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/259432)
  - Official wording: "Building Permit and Inspection Services Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3185, 2025 4.1 Building Permit Fees (subject to applicable taxes on printed material) Fee Unit Credit Card Surcharge Building Permit Fees"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09

## How it works

Start an estimate by identifying the kind of work, its construction value and which stage you are paying for. An amount collected when plans are submitted may cover a different part of the application than the final permit charge. The standard fee is $11 per $1,000 of development value. Low-carbon self-sufficient buildings and non-residential tenant improvements have a $7 rate. Privately built and owned affordable housing has a $9 rate.

## Steps

1. Find the charges for your project in [FAQ - Building Permit](https://squamish.ca/building-and-land-development/building-permit/faq-building-permit/). Find the line for your project in the fee schedule. Read the column heading, unit of value and any minimum before doing the calculation.
2. If the project crosses a fee band, check how the schedule treats the first band and the remaining value. Ask how the office determines construction value if your estimate includes several kinds of work.

## Good to know

- A partial permit, such as a foundation permit, costs $200 plus 50% of the applicable building permit fee. If no work starts, a 75% refund rule applies to the building permit fee. The minimum processing fee is non-refundable.
- Pay the balance at Municipal Hall on collection, by cash, cheque, debit, money order or credit card up to $2,000.
- The base minimum permit or plan-processing fee is $200. Higher development values have higher processing fees. This is separate from the value-based building permit charge.
- When comparing the amount due with a quote, itemize any plan review, inspection or other charges separately. This makes it easier to ask which payment is credited toward the balance.
- Read the applicable provisions in [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3185, 2025 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/259432).

## Related questions

- [Squamish building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/building-permit.md)
- [Squamish permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permit fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Lions Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Bowen Island](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/building-permit-fees.md)
- [West Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Gibsons](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/building-permit-fees.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/building-permit-fees.md)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/building-permit-fees.md)

## Sources

- [FAQ - Building Permit](https://squamish.ca/building-and-land-development/building-permit/faq-building-permit/) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3185, 2025 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/259432) (read 2026-11-09)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Squamish. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/building-permit-fees/_