{"title":"Victoria building permits: when you need one and how to apply","question":"Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?","slug":"building-permit","place":{"path":"ca/bc/victoria","name":"Victoria","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Victoria","url":"https://www.victoria.ca"},"short_answer":"In the City of Victoria you need a building permit before you build, alter, rebuild, demolish, remove or relocate a building or structure, or change its use. Check the City's Permit Finder, then apply online through eApply. The application fee is $100.","aliases":["building permit victoria","do I need a permit victoria","apply for building permit victoria bc","permit finder victoria"],"cost":"$100 application fee, then a permit fee of 1.40% of the cost of construction. See the building-permit-fees answer.","how_long":"For single-family dwelling or duplex permits, the City's targeted review time is seven business days once the application is complete and the $100 fee is paid. Other types are not stated.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Building Permits page (Permit Finder and eApply)","value":"https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/apply-permit/building"},{"type":"phone","label":"Building and Inspection Services (Permit Services)","value":"250-361-0344"},{"type":"email","label":"Permit Services","value":"permits@victoria.ca"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Building and Inspection Services","value":"1 Centennial Square, Victoria, BC"}],"documents":["The City's checklist for your project type (single-family or duplex, complex building, interior only, strip-out, demolition)","Plans to professional drafting standards (site plan at 1:100 or 1:200, site survey, project data table)","Letters of assurance (Schedules A and B) if registered professionals are involved"],"forms":[{"title":"Building Permits (City of Victoria)","url":"https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/apply-permit/building"},{"title":"Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 (PDF)","url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/building-and-plumbing-regulation-bylaw-17-113-consolidated"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Victoria building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Victoria permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Victoria zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/oak-bay","name":"Oak Bay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/esquimalt","name":"Esquimalt","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/view-royal","name":"View Royal","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/saanich","name":"Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/colwood","name":"Colwood","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langford","name":"Langford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/building-permit/"}],"topic":{"title":"Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit/"},"facts":{"needed_for":{"label":"Needed for","value":"A building permit is required before starting any construction, alteration, reconstruction, demolition, removal or relocation of a building or structure, or a change of its occupancy, including excavation. Use the City's Permit Finder to check a specific project.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/building-and-plumbing-regulation-bylaw-17-113-consolidated","title":"Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 (consolidated, PDF)","section":"s. 4(1), s. 6(1)","quotes":["A permit is required whenever work regulated under this bylaw is to be undertaken.","No person shall commence or continue any construction, alteration, reconstruction, demolition, removal, relocation or change the occupancy of any"]},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/apply-permit/building","title":"Building Permits, City of Victoria","section":"Building Permits page","quotes":["use the Permit Finder to determine if your project needs a permit"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"not_needed_for":{"label":"Not needed for","value":"Not covered by the bylaw: retaining structures under 1.2 m high, platforms under 0.6 m above grade, accessory buildings with a building area under 10 m², and work exempted by the BC Building Code. Rooftop solar on Part 9 buildings needs no building permit if all City conditions are met.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/building-and-plumbing-regulation-bylaw-17-113-consolidated","title":"Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 (consolidated, PDF)","section":"s. 5(2)","quotes":["retaining structures less than 1.2 meters in height;","platforms less than 0.6 meters above grade;","accessory buildings with a building area of less than 10 square meters."]},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/apply-permit/building","title":"Building Permits, City of Victoria","section":"Solar Panels policy","quotes":["Solar Panels meeting all of the following conditions do not require a building permit.","The installation is on the roof a BCBC Part 9 building"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Apply online through the City's eApply portal (separate applications for single-family/duplex, complex building, interior-only, demolition and strip-out). Any development permits must be approved before the building permit application. Staff: 250.361.0344 or permits@victoria.ca.","short":"Online (eApply)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/apply-permit/building","title":"Building Permits, City of Victoria","section":"How to Apply","quotes":["Refer to checklists/requirements above before applying for a Building Permit online.","all applicable development permits must be approved before applying for building permits","Please contact a Permit Services Representative at 250.361.0344 or permits@victoria.ca"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"what_to_submit":{"label":"What to submit","value":"A complete online application with plans to professional drafting standards (site plan at 1:100 or 1:200, site survey, project data table), plus letters of assurance (Schedules A and B) if registered professionals are involved. Checklist varies by project type.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/section-b-part-2-single-family-eapplication-checklist","title":"Single Family Dwelling or Duplex eApplication Checklist (PDF)","section":"Single Family Dwelling or Duplex checklist (new, additions, exterior)","quotes":["only complete applications that include plans prepared to professional drafting standards will be accepted","Site Plan: Metric 1:100 or 1:200","Schedule A from coordinating registered professional","Project data table (including height, setbacks, floor area, number of storeys, site coverage and other relevant data)"]},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/apply-permit/building","title":"Building Permits, City of Victoria","section":"Application Checklists","quotes":["Complex Building Checklist (New Projects, Additions, Excavations and Exterior Alterations)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"processing_time":{"label":"Processing time","value":"For single-family dwelling or duplex permits, the City's targeted review time is seven business days once the application is complete and the $100 fee is paid.","short":"Seven business days (single-family)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/section-b-part-2-single-family-eapplication-checklist","title":"Single Family Dwelling or Duplex eApplication Checklist (PDF)","section":"Single Family Dwelling or Duplex checklist","quotes":["the targeted review time for this application type is seven business days"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"inspections":{"label":"Inspections","value":"Book through the MyCity portal (until 7 a.m. on the day), by the Building Permit Inspection Request Form or by phone at 250.361.0344 (until 4 p.m. the business day before). The bylaw requires at least 24 hours' notice. The permit package must be on site.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/request-inspection","title":"Request an Inspection, City of Victoria","section":"Request an Inspection","quotes":["Requests can be made until 7 a.m. on the day of the requested date.","Forms can be submitted until 4 p.m. on the business day before the requested inspection date.","Inspections can also be requested by phone by calling 250.361.0344.","your permit package is required to be on site during the inspection"]},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/building-and-plumbing-regulation-bylaw-17-113-consolidated","title":"Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 (consolidated, PDF)","section":"s. 13(4)","quotes":["shall give at least 24 hours’ notice to the City when requesting an inspection"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"contact":{"label":"Contact","value":"Building and Inspection Services (Permit Services), 1 Centennial Square: 250.361.0344, permits@victoria.ca.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/apply-permit/building","title":"Building Permits, City of Victoria","section":"Building Permits page","quotes":["Please contact a Permit Services Representative at 250.361.0344 or permits@victoria.ca"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw No. 17-113","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/building-and-plumbing-regulation-bylaw-17-113-consolidated","title":"Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 (consolidated, PDF)","section":"title page","quotes":["BUILDING AND PLUMBING REGULATION BYLAW","BYLAW NO. 17-113"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":8,"stated":8,"matched":8,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe City of Victoria's [Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/building-and-plumbing-regulation-bylaw-17-113-consolidated) requires a permit before any construction, alteration, reconstruction, demolition, removal or relocation of a building or structure, or a change of its occupancy, including excavation. Use the City's Permit Finder to check a specific project.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Confirm zoning allows your project. Any development permit must be approved before you apply for a building permit.\n2. Use the Permit Finder on the Building Permits page, or call 250-361-0344 or email permits@victoria.ca.\n3. Pick the checklist for your project type (single-family or duplex, complex building, interior only, demolition or strip-out) and gather the plans and letters of assurance.\n4. Apply online through the City's eApply portal. Pay the $100 application fee when the City sends the payment link.\n5. Book inspections through the MyCity portal (until 7 a.m. on the day), with the Building Permit Inspection Request Form, or by phone at 250-361-0344 (until 4 p.m. the business day before). The bylaw requires at least 24 hours' notice. Keep the permit package on site.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- The bylaw does not cover retaining structures under 1.2 m high, platforms under 0.6 m above grade, accessory buildings with a building area under 10 m², or work the BC Building Code exempts. Zoning rules still apply.\n- Rooftop solar on Part 9 buildings needs no building permit if all the City's conditions are met. It still needs an electrical permit.\n- Work done without a permit pays 2.8% on the first $20,000 of construction cost and 1.4% on the rest. The maximum fine under the bylaw is $10,000.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/apply-permit/building","title":"Building Permits, City of Victoria","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/building-and-plumbing-regulation-bylaw-17-113-consolidated","title":"Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 (consolidated, PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/section-b-part-2-single-family-eapplication-checklist","title":"Single Family Dwelling or Duplex eApplication Checklist (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/request-inspection","title":"Request an Inspection, City of Victoria","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 8 of 8 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/building-permit/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/building-permit.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/building-permit.json"}}