---
title: "Taylor building permits: when you need one and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a building permit in Taylor, and how do I apply?"
place: Taylor, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/taylor
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Taylor
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/taylor/building-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/taylor/building-permit.json"
---

# Taylor building permits: when you need one and how to apply

**Question:** Do I need a building permit in Taylor, and how do I apply?

**Short answer:** In Taylor you need a permit from the District's Building Inspector before building any building or structure, unless it is exempt. Buildings of 15 m² or less are exempt if they follow all bylaws. File the application with the District Office at 250-789-3392.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Taylor, https://districtoftaylor.com)  
**Cost:** A permit fee and a plan processing fee are paid at application. See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** The bylaw and the District's pages do not state a review time. Once the permit is ready you have 30 days to pay for it.  
**Where:**
- In person: District Office, 10007 100A Street, Taylor, BC V0C 2K0 (mail: P.O. Box 300) (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed statutory holidays)
- Phone: District Office, 250-789-3392

## Key facts

- **Needed for:** A permit from the Building Inspector is needed before building any building or structure, or part of one, unless exempt. Moving a building or structure over 10 m² of gross floor area also needs a permit.
  - Source: [District of Taylor Building Bylaw No. 391, 1991, ss. 5.1.2, 9.1](https://districtoftaylor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/391-1991-District-of-Taylor-Building-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall commence or continue construction of any building or structure unless a permit for the work has been issued by the Building Inspector" … "No person shall move any building or structure having a gross floor area exceeding 10 square metres"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Not needed for:** A building or structure of 15 m² or less in building area, and temporary on-site trailers for projects built under valid permits, if they comply with all bylaws. Fences, signs, landscaping, paving and retaining walls under 1.0 m are outside the bylaw's definition of structure.
  - Source: [District of Taylor Building Bylaw No. 391, 1991, s. 5.1.2; s. 1.3 (structure)](https://districtoftaylor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/391-1991-District-of-Taylor-Building-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a building or structure which does not exceed 15 square metres in building area;" … "temporary on-site trailers for projects being constructed under valid permits;" … "specifically excludes landscaping, paving improvements, retaining walls under 1.0 metre in height, signs and fences;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How to apply:** File an application with the Building Inspector in the form the Building Inspector prescribes, signed by the owner or agent, with the Schedule B fee and plan processing fee.
  - Source: [District of Taylor Building Bylaw No. 391, 1991, ss. 5.3, 5.4.1](https://districtoftaylor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/391-1991-District-of-Taylor-Building-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Applications for permits filed with the Building Inspector shall:" … "be made in the form prescribed by the Building Inspector;" … "be signed by the owner or his agent;" … "An application for a permit shall be accompanied by the appropriate plan processing fee"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **What to submit:** At least two complete sets of scaled drawings, specifications and plans (building and lot dimensions, use of rooms, site plan). When required: a BC Land Surveyor's survey, septic or highway-access permits, and fire code confirmation for assembly buildings.
  - Source: [District of Taylor Building Bylaw No. 391, 1991, s. 5.3(d),(e)](https://districtoftaylor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/391-1991-District-of-Taylor-Building-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "include a minimum of two complete sets of the drawings, specifications and plans drawn to scale of the building to be constructed showing:" … "a survey of the building site prepared by a British Columbia Land Surveyor, when required by the Building Inspector;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Processing time:** Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
- **Inspections:** Owner or agent gives at least 24 hours' notice to the Building Inspector for footing, slab, framing, insulation and pre-occupancy inspections. At least 48 hours' notice is needed before starting on site, before covering a drain or sewer, and before installing a driveway.
  - Source: [District of Taylor Building Bylaw No. 391, 1991, s. 10.1](https://districtoftaylor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/391-1991-District-of-Taylor-Building-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "give at least twenty-four (24) hours notice to the Building Inspector in order to obtain his inspection" … "give at least forty-eight (48) hours notice to the Building Inspector:" … "before a drive-way is installed."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Contact:** District of Taylor office, 250-789-3392 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). The Protective Services department lists building inspections and permits among its services.
  - Source: [Protective Services, Core Services](https://districtoftaylor.com/staff-departments/protective-services/)
  - Official wording: "- Emergency Operations Centre (District) Admin and Training - Building Inspections / Permits - Public Works Admin"
  - Source: [Contact, footer](https://districtoftaylor.com/contact/)
  - Official wording: "Monday to Friday Excluding Statutory Holidays"
  - Source: [Bylaw Enforcement | Bylaws | District of Taylor](https://districtoftaylor.com/bylaw-enforcement/)
  - Official wording: "or by phone at 250-789-3392 during normal working hours"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw No. 391, 1991 (The Corporation of the District of Taylor)
  - Source: [District of Taylor Building Bylaw No. 391, 1991, title page](https://districtoftaylor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/391-1991-District-of-Taylor-Building-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BUILDING BYLAW NO. 391, 1991"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

In the District of Taylor, the Building Inspector issues permits under the [Building Bylaw No. 391, 1991](https://districtoftaylor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/391-1991-District-of-Taylor-Building-Bylaw.pdf). A permit is needed before you build any building or structure, or part of one, and before you move a building or structure over 10 m² of gross floor area.

A permit is not needed for a building or structure of 15 m² or less in building area, or for temporary on-site trailers on projects built under valid permits, if they comply with all bylaws. The bylaw's definition of structure leaves out fences, signs, landscaping, paving and retaining walls under 1.0 m. Provincial Building Code exemptions may also apply.

## Steps

1. Call the District Office at 250-789-3392 to ask for the current permit forms. The District lists a Building Permit Package, but the bylaw does not say how to file (online, email or in person).
2. Prepare at least two complete sets of scaled drawings, specifications and plans (building and lot dimensions, use of rooms, site plan). Where required, add a BC Land Surveyor's survey, septic or highway-access permits, and fire code confirmation for assembly buildings.
3. File the application with the Building Inspector, signed by the owner or agent, with the fees.
4. Give the Building Inspector at least 48 hours' notice before starting on site, before covering a drain or sewer, and before installing a driveway. Give at least 24 hours' notice for footing, slab, framing, insulation and pre-occupancy inspections.

## Good to know

- The bylaw does not say how to book inspections. Ask the District Office.
- The District's Protective Services page lists building inspections and permits but names no building inspector.
- Building without a permit can bring enforcement, so check first.

## Official forms and pages

- [District of Taylor Building Bylaw No. 391, 1991 (PDF)](https://districtoftaylor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/391-1991-District-of-Taylor-Building-Bylaw.pdf)
- [Protective Services, District of Taylor](https://districtoftaylor.com/staff-departments/protective-services/)

## Related questions

- [Taylor building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/taylor/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Taylor permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/taylor/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Taylor secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/taylor/secondary-suite.md)
- [Taylor zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/taylor/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Taylor fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/taylor/fence-rules.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit.md)
- [Fort St. John](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/building-permit.md)
- [Dawson Creek](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/building-permit.md)
- [Pouce Coupe](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/building-permit.md)
- [Chetwynd](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/building-permit.md)
- [Hudson's Hope](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hudsons-hope/building-permit.md)
- [Tumbler Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/building-permit.md)

## Sources

- [District of Taylor Building Bylaw No. 391, 1991 (PDF)](https://districtoftaylor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/391-1991-District-of-Taylor-Building-Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Protective Services, District of Taylor](https://districtoftaylor.com/staff-departments/protective-services/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Contact, District of Taylor](https://districtoftaylor.com/contact/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaw Enforcement | Bylaws | District of Taylor](https://districtoftaylor.com/bylaw-enforcement/) (read 2026-11-08)

_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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Taylor. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/taylor/building-permit/_