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

# Victoria 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 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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Victoria, https://www.victoria.ca)  
**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:**
- Online: Building Permits page (Permit Finder and eApply), https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/apply-permit/building
- Phone: Building and Inspection Services (Permit Services), 250-361-0344
- Email: Permit Services, permits@victoria.ca
- In person: Building and Inspection Services, 1 Centennial Square, Victoria, BC

## Key facts

- **Needed for:** 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.
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4(1), s. 6(1)](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/building-and-plumbing-regulation-bylaw-17-113-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Building Permits, Building Permits page](https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/apply-permit/building)
  - Official wording: "use the Permit Finder to determine if your project needs a permit"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Not needed for:** 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.
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 (consolidated, PDF), s. 5(2)](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/building-and-plumbing-regulation-bylaw-17-113-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Building Permits, Solar Panels policy](https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/apply-permit/building)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** 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.
  - Source: [Building Permits, How to Apply](https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/apply-permit/building)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **What to submit:** 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.
  - Source: [Single Family Dwelling or Duplex eApplication Checklist, Single Family Dwelling or Duplex checklist (new, additions, exterior)](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/section-b-part-2-single-family-eapplication-checklist)
  - Official wording: "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)"
  - Source: [Building Permits, Application Checklists](https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/apply-permit/building)
  - Official wording: "Complex Building Checklist (New Projects, Additions, Excavations and Exterior Alterations)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Processing time:** 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.
  - Source: [Single Family Dwelling or Duplex eApplication Checklist, Single Family Dwelling or Duplex checklist](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/section-b-part-2-single-family-eapplication-checklist)
  - Official wording: "the targeted review time for this application type is seven business days"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inspections:** 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.
  - Source: [Request an Inspection](https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/request-inspection)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 (consolidated, PDF), s. 13(4)](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/building-and-plumbing-regulation-bylaw-17-113-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "shall give at least 24 hours’ notice to the City when requesting an inspection"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Contact:** Building and Inspection Services (Permit Services), 1 Centennial Square: 250.361.0344, permits@victoria.ca.
  - Source: [Building Permits, Building Permits page](https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/apply-permit/building)
  - Official wording: "Please contact a Permit Services Representative at 250.361.0344 or permits@victoria.ca"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw No. 17-113
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 (consolidated, PDF), title page](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/building-and-plumbing-regulation-bylaw-17-113-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "BUILDING AND PLUMBING REGULATION BYLAW" … "BYLAW NO. 17-113"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The 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.

## Steps

1. Confirm zoning allows your project. Any development permit must be approved before you apply for a building permit.
2. Use the Permit Finder on the Building Permits page, or call 250-361-0344 or email permits@victoria.ca.
3. 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.
4. Apply online through the City's eApply portal. Pay the $100 application fee when the City sends the payment link.
5. 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.

## Good to know

- 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.
- Rooftop solar on Part 9 buildings needs no building permit if all the City's conditions are met. It still needs an electrical permit.
- 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.

## What you'll need

- 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

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Permits (City of Victoria)](https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/apply-permit/building)
- [Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 (PDF)](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/building-and-plumbing-regulation-bylaw-17-113-consolidated)

## Related questions

- [Victoria building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Victoria permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Victoria zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit.md)
- [Oak Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/building-permit.md)
- [Esquimalt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/building-permit.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/building-permit.md)
- [Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/building-permit.md)
- [Colwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/building-permit.md)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/building-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Permits, City of Victoria](https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/apply-permit/building) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 (consolidated, PDF)](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/building-and-plumbing-regulation-bylaw-17-113-consolidated) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Single Family Dwelling or Duplex eApplication Checklist (PDF)](https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/section-b-part-2-single-family-eapplication-checklist) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Request an Inspection, City of Victoria](https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/permits-development-construction/building-renovating/request-inspection) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 8 of 8 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Victoria. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/building-permit/_