Terrace building permits: when you need one and how to apply
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.
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.Building Bylaw No. 2307-2024, s. 10.1, 15.2, definitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingconstructing 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. |
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| 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.Building Bylaw No. 2307-2024, s. 3.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA 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. |
| 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.Building Permits, Apply for a Building Permit; CloudPermit, How to Submit a Permit Application; Building Bylaw No. 2307-2024, s. 9.2.2, Schedule A-1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingApplications can be completed online through Cloudpermit, our online permitting system. Register for a CloudPermit account online: Submit and pay for your application. Note paper applications have an additional fee and require additional processing time. be submitted through the online application portal, unless the applicant has paid the paper application surcharge; Paper application surcharge $150.00 |
| 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.Building Bylaw No. 2307-2024, s. 9.2, 9.3, 9.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingbe 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 |
| 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.Building Bylaw No. 2307-2024, s. 11.4, 11.12-11.16; CloudPermit, Why Use CloudPermit? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA 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 Schedule a building inspection using an easy online booking system. |
| 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.Building Permits & Business Licences, Department Contact; Building Permits · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe Building & Licensing Department handles: Mon - Fri: 9:00 am-4:00 pm 250.615.4000 mwaite@terrace.ca Please direct questions to Mary Waite, mwaite@terrace.ca, 250-615-4000 |
| Bylaw | Bylaw No. 2307-2024, a bylaw for administration of the building code and regulation of construction within the City of Terrace (Building Bylaw)Building Bylaw No. 2307-2024, Title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBYLAW NO. 2307-2024 BUILDING CODE AND REGULATION OF CONSTRUCTION WITHIN THE CITY OF TERRACE |
How it works
Building Bylaw 2307-2024 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
- Register for a CloudPermit account through the City's CloudPermit page.
- Gather your site plan, floor plans, elevations of all sides and a signed acknowledgement of responsibility.
- Submit and pay the application fee online.
- 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
The same question in other places
Kitimat · Smithers · Telkwa · Hazelton · Port Edward · Prince Rupert
Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Permits, City of Terrace (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Bylaw No. 2307-2024 (PDF), City of Terrace (read 2026-11-05)
- CloudPermit, City of Terrace (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Permits & Business Licences, City of Terrace (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. How answers are checked.