---
title: Vernon building permit fees
question: "How much does a building permit cost?"
place: Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/vernon
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Vernon
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/building-permit-fees/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/building-permit-fees.json"
---

# Vernon building permit fees

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

**Short answer:** A City of Vernon building permit has a non-refundable application fee of $150 (simple building) or $250 (complex), plus a permit fee of $11.50 per $1,000 of permit value up to $500,000, and a refundable security deposit. Fees are set in Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Vernon, https://www.vernon.ca)  
**Cost:** Application $150 or $250. Permit fee per $1,000 of value (or part): $11.50 up to $500,000; $10.50 from $500,001 to $1,000,000; $9.50 above $1,000,000. Security deposit $1,500 simple, $2,500 complex.  
**How long:** The permit is issued after the fee is paid, once the application is approved.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Building Permits, 250-550-3634
- In person: Community Services Building, 3001 32 Avenue, Vernon, BC V1T 2L8

## Key facts

- **Lowest fee:** $11.50 per $1,000 of permit value (or part of $1,000) up to $500,000, plus the non-refundable application fee ($150 simple building, $250 complex).
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909, consolidated, Schedule A, s. 2 E(ii)(a)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fees_and_charges_bylaw_3909_consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "for each $1000 of permit value or part thereof up to" … "$ 11.50 (Bylaw 5946)"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909, consolidated, Schedule A, s. 2 E(i)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fees_and_charges_bylaw_3909_consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Simple buildings $150.00 (Bylaw 5891)" … "Complex buildings $250.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How the fee is worked out:** Per $1,000 of permit value, or part: $11.50 up to $500,000; $10.50 from $500,001 to $1,000,000; $9.50 above $1,000,000. For a complex building the total permit fee is reduced by 10%. The fee is doubled (to a maximum of $10,000) if construction starts before the permit is issued.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909, consolidated, Schedule A, s. 2 E(ii)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fees_and_charges_bylaw_3909_consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "for each $1000 of permit value or part thereof from $ 10.50" … "for each $1000 of permit value or part thereof $ 9.50" … "$ 11.50 (Bylaw 5946)" … "Buildings shall be reduced by 20% 10% of the total"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909, consolidated, Schedule A, s. 2 E(iii)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fees_and_charges_bylaw_3909_consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Complex Buildings shall be reduced by"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 5900, s. 9.8](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/5900_building_bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the permit fee is reduced as prescribed in the current City of Vernon Fees and"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Application or plan review fee:** Non-refundable application fee: $150 for a simple (non-complex) building, $250 for a complex building. The schedule does not say it is credited toward the permit fee.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909, consolidated, Schedule A, s. 2 E(i)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fees_and_charges_bylaw_3909_consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Non-refundable application fees:" … "Simple buildings $150.00 (Bylaw 5891)" … "Complex buildings $250.00"
  - Source: [Building Permit Application, Application Fees](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/permits-applications/building-permit-application/building-permit-application)
  - Official wording: "- Application Fees - $150 (for Non-Complex) - $250 (for Complex) Complexity determined by BC Building Code Div A, Section 1.3.3"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees:** Plumbing permit: $10 per fixture, minimum $150 (includes first 5 fixtures). Demolition permit: $150 (heritage building $250). Security deposit (refunded after final inspection): $1,500 simple building, $2,500 complex, $1,500 demolition, $5,000 building move. Re-inspection $150; after-hours inspection $175.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909, consolidated, Schedule A, s. 2 F](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fees_and_charges_bylaw_3909_consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Per fixture fee $ 10.00" … "Minimum fee (includes the first 5 fixtures) $150.00 (Bylaw 5891)"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909, consolidated, Schedule A, s. 2 I](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fees_and_charges_bylaw_3909_consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Non-Heritage Buildings $150.00 (Bylaw 5626)" … "Heritage Buildings (Bylaw 5415) $250.00 (Bylaw 5626)"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909, consolidated, Schedule A, s. 2 E(viii)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fees_and_charges_bylaw_3909_consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "(a) for a simple building permit $1,500.00 (Bylaw 5882)" … "$2,500.00 (Bylaw 5882)"
  - Source: [Building Permit Application, Application Fees](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/permits-applications/building-permit-application/building-permit-application)
  - Official wording: "A security deposit is required in addition to the permit fee; the amount will be provided after review and refunded following final inspection."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to pay:** Once the application is approved, the City emails the fee and payment instructions; the permit is issued after payment. Online payment is by credit card only (2.4% surcharge); security deposits cannot be paid online.
  - Source: [Building Permit Application, Application Fees / Application Status & Next Steps](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/permits-applications/building-permit-application/building-permit-application)
  - Official wording: "Once your application is approved, the fee amount and payment instructions will be sent to you by email" … "After payment is received, your permit will be issued and accessible through MyCity" … "A 2.4% surcharge applies to all credit card payments." … "Security deposits cannot be paid online."
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 5900, s. 10.7-10.8](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/5900_building_bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the owner must first pay to the City" … "must pay to the City, at the time of the application, a security deposit as prescribed"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3909, Schedule 'A' (Fee Schedule), section 2 (Planning and Community Services), items E (building permits), F (plumbing) and I (demolition); permit fees required by Building Bylaw No. 5900, s. 10.7
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909, consolidated, Schedule A, s. 2](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fees_and_charges_bylaw_3909_consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "E. Building Permit Fees:" … "F. Plumbing Permit Fees:"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 5900, s. 10.7](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/5900_building_bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the building permit fee prescribed in the current City of Vernon Fees and"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Vernon sets building permit fees in Schedule A of [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fees_and_charges_bylaw_3909_consolidated.pdf). You pay a non-refundable application fee when you apply, then a permit fee based on the permit value. Once the application is approved, the City emails the fee and payment instructions, and the permit is issued after payment.

## Good to know

- Application fee: $150 for a simple (non-complex) building, $250 for a complex one. The schedule does not say it is credited toward the permit fee. "Complex" is set by BC Building Code Division A, section 1.3.3.
- Permit fee, per $1,000 of permit value (or part of $1,000): $11.50 up to $500,000; $10.50 from $500,001 to $1,000,000; $9.50 above $1,000,000. The schedule states no minimum permit fee.
- For a complex building, the total permit fee is reduced by 10%. (The consolidated schedule also prints a struck-out 20%; confirm the percentage with the City.)
- The permit fee is doubled, to a maximum of $10,000, if construction starts before the permit is issued.
- Security deposit, refunded after the final inspection: $1,500 for a simple building, $2,500 for a complex one, $1,500 for demolition and $5,000 for a building move. The City's page says the amount is given after review, so confirm yours.
- Other fees: plumbing permit $10 per fixture, minimum $150 (includes the first 5 fixtures); demolition permit $150 ($250 for a heritage building); re-inspection $150; after-hours inspection $175.
- Online payment is by credit card only, with a 2.4% surcharge. Security deposits cannot be paid online.

## Official forms and pages

- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909, consolidated (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fees_and_charges_bylaw_3909_consolidated.pdf)
- [Building Permit Application page](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/permits-applications/building-permit-application/building-permit-application)

## Related questions

- [Vernon building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/building-permit.md)
- [Vernon permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/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)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Enderby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/building-permit-fees.md)

## Sources

- [Building Permit Application, City of Vernon](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/permits-applications/building-permit-application/building-permit-application) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909, consolidated (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fees_and_charges_bylaw_3909_consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw 5900 (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/5900_building_bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 City of Vernon. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/building-permit-fees/_