---
title: "Terrace building permits: when you need one and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?"
place: Terrace, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/terrace
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Terrace
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/building-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/building-permit.json"
---

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

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

**Short answer:** In Terrace, a building permit is required to construct or alter a building or structure, move or demolish one, or change its use, unless the Building Bylaw exempts it. Accessory buildings under 10 square metres and fences are exempt. Apply online through CloudPermit.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Terrace, https://www.terrace.ca)  
**Cost:** $75 application fee, plus $8 per $1,000 of work value (or fraction) and $1 per $1,000 for plan review (Building Bylaw 2307 Schedule A). A paper application adds a $150 surcharge.  
**How long:** The bylaw and the City's pages do not state a review time. An application expires 180 days after it is complete if no permit has been issued.  
**Where:**
- Online: CloudPermit (City of Terrace), https://ca.cloudpermit.com/terrace/
- Phone: Building and Licensing, Development Services, 250-615-4000 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
- Email: Building/Licensing Clerk, mwaite@terrace.ca
- In person: Development Services, 5003 Graham Avenue, Terrace, BC V8G 1B3

## Key facts

- **Needed for:** A permit is required to construct or alter a building or structure (unless exempt), move a building into or within the City, demolish a building or create an excavation, change the use or occupancy of an existing building, or occupy a new building. A retaining wall (over 1.2 m high) also needs a permit.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2307-2024, s. 10.1, 15.2, definitions](https://www.terrace.ca/media/3959)
  - Official wording: "constructing or altering a building or structure, unless exempt from the application of this Bylaw pursuant to Section 3.4;" … "moving a building or structure into or within the City;" … "demolishing a building or structure or creating an excavation;" … "changing the use or occupancy of an existing building" … "occupying a new building or structure;" … "No person may construct a retaining wall without a permit." … "RETAINING WALL means a structure exceeding 1.2 metres in height that is intended to hold or retain soil or other material."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Not needed for:** The Building Bylaw does not apply to: a wall supporting soil other than a retaining wall; an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 m²; and a fence, trellis, arbour or similar landscaping or decorative structures.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2307-2024, s. 3.4](https://www.terrace.ca/media/3959)
  - Official wording: "A wall supporting soil other than a retaining wall;" … "an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres" … "a fence, a trellis, an arbour, or other similar landscaping or decorative structures."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Online through CloudPermit (register for an account, gather documents, submit and pay). A paper application is allowed only if a $150 paper application surcharge is paid, and paper applications take more processing time.
  - Source: [Building Permits, Apply for a Building Permit](https://www.terrace.ca/business-development/building-permits)
  - Official wording: "Applications can be completed online through Cloudpermit, our online permitting system."
  - Source: [CloudPermit, How to Submit a Permit Application](https://www.terrace.ca/cloudpermit)
  - Official wording: "Register for a CloudPermit account online:" … "Submit and pay for your application." … "Note paper applications have an additional fee and require additional processing time."
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2307-2024, s. 9.2.2, Schedule A-1](https://www.terrace.ca/media/3959)
  - Official wording: "be submitted through the online application portal, unless the applicant has paid the paper application surcharge;" … "Paper application surcharge $150.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **What to submit:** The application fee, a signed acknowledgement of responsibility, one or more site plans, floor plans, and elevations of all sides of the building, plus any other information the building official requires. An agent applying for the owner must also give the owner's contact details and consent.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2307-2024, s. 9.2, 9.3, 9.7](https://www.terrace.ca/media/3959)
  - Official wording: "be accompanied by an application fee;" … "An acknowledgement of responsibility for the work authorized by the permit" … "one or more site plans showing the information required by the building code" … "one or more floor plans showing the information required by the building code" … "elevations of all sides of the building or structure" … "The name and contact information of the owner;" … "the consent of the owner to the agent acting on behalf of the owner;" … "a building official may require an applicant to submit any other information required by the building official"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Processing time:** Not confirmed. The published pages do not say how long a permit takes.
- **Inspections:** The permit holder requests each inspection through the online portal (CloudPermit) at the stages listed in the bylaw (for example before pouring foundations and before covering framing or insulation). Work must not be covered until the building official has inspected and accepted it. No fixed notice period is set for ordinary house work; the inspection happens when an official is available.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2307-2024, s. 11.4, 11.12-11.16](https://www.terrace.ca/media/3959)
  - Official wording: "A building official is only obligated to carry out an inspection under Section 11.12 if the permit holder has requested an inspection through the online application portal." … "The inspection will be conducted when the building official is available." … "Every permit holder must submit through the online application portal, reasonably in advance, the date on which the permit holder intends to:" … "No person may conceal any aspect of the work referred to in Section 11.12 of this Bylaw until a building official has inspected and accepted the work." … "Submit a request at least two weeks in advance through the online application portal for a pre-construction meeting"
  - Source: [CloudPermit, Why Use CloudPermit?](https://www.terrace.ca/cloudpermit)
  - Official wording: "Schedule a building inspection using an easy online booking system."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Contact:** Building & Licensing Department (Development Services), Building/Licensing Clerk Mary Waite, 250-615-4000, mwaite@terrace.ca. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  - Source: [Building Permits & Business Licences, Department Contact](https://www.terrace.ca/city-hall/departments/development-services/building-business-licencing)
  - Official wording: "The Building & Licensing Department handles:" … "Mon - Fri: 9:00 am-4:00 pm" … "250.615.4000" … "mwaite@terrace.ca"
  - Source: [Building Permits](https://www.terrace.ca/business-development/building-permits)
  - Official wording: "Please direct questions to Mary Waite, mwaite@terrace.ca, 250-615-4000"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Bylaw No. 2307-2024, a bylaw for administration of the building code and regulation of construction within the City of Terrace (Building Bylaw)
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2307-2024, Title page](https://www.terrace.ca/media/3959)
  - Official wording: "BYLAW NO. 2307-2024" … "BUILDING CODE AND REGULATION OF CONSTRUCTION WITHIN THE CITY OF TERRACE"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

[Building Bylaw 2307-2024](https://www.terrace.ca/media/3959) requires a permit to construct or alter a building or structure, move one into or within Terrace, demolish one or create an excavation, change the use or occupancy of a building, or occupy a new building. A retaining wall over 1.2 m high also needs one.

The bylaw does not apply to an accessory building under 10 m², a fence, trellis, arbour or similar landscaping structure, or a wall that supports soil but is not a retaining wall.

## Steps

1. Register for a CloudPermit account through the City's CloudPermit page.
2. Gather your site plan, floor plans, elevations of all sides and a signed acknowledgement of responsibility.
3. Submit and pay the application fee online.
4. Request each inspection through CloudPermit. Do not cover work until the building official has inspected and accepted it.

## Good to know

- If the property is in an Official Community Plan development permit area, the development permit must be obtained first. The building must also meet zoning, even if it is exempt from a permit.
- Paper applications are allowed only with a $150 surcharge and take more processing time.
- Large (Part 3) buildings need more documents, and two weeks' notice applies to their pre-construction meeting. Ordinary house work has no fixed inspection notice period.
- Starting work before the permit raises the application fee to $150.

## What you'll need

- A CloudPermit account (register online)
- Site plans, floor plans and elevations of all sides of the building
- A signed acknowledgement of responsibility
- Payment of the application fee at submission

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Permits page (paper forms and new-dwelling package)](https://www.terrace.ca/business-development/building-permits)
- [Building Permit Application (paper, PDF)](https://www.terrace.ca/sites/default/files/docs/business-development/05.Building-Permit-Application.pdf)
- [Demolition Permit Application (PDF)](https://www.terrace.ca/sites/default/files/docs/demo-permit-application-fillable.pdf)
- [Building Bylaw 2307 (PDF)](https://www.terrace.ca/media/3959)

## Related questions

- [Terrace building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Terrace permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit.md)
- [Kitimat](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/building-permit.md)
- [Smithers](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/building-permit.md)
- [Telkwa](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/telkwa/building-permit.md)
- [Hazelton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hazelton/building-permit.md)
- [Port Edward](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/building-permit.md)
- [Prince Rupert](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/building-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Permits, City of Terrace](https://www.terrace.ca/business-development/building-permits) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw No. 2307-2024 (PDF), City of Terrace](https://www.terrace.ca/media/3959) (read 2026-11-05)
- [CloudPermit, City of Terrace](https://www.terrace.ca/cloudpermit) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Permits & Business Licences, City of Terrace](https://www.terrace.ca/city-hall/departments/development-services/building-business-licencing) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Terrace. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/building-permit/_