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Victoria building permits: when you need one and how to apply

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

Victoria, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

Needed forA 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.Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4(1), s. 6(1); Building Permits, Building Permits page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
use the Permit Finder to determine if your project needs a permit
Not needed forNot 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.Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 (consolidated, PDF), s. 5(2); Building Permits, Solar Panels policy · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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.
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
How to applyApply 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.Building Permits, How to Apply · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
What to submitA 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.Single Family Dwelling or Duplex eApplication Checklist, Single Family Dwelling or Duplex checklist (new, additions, exterior); Building Permits, Application Checklists · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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)
Complex Building Checklist (New Projects, Additions, Excavations and Exterior Alterations)
Processing timeFor 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.Single Family Dwelling or Duplex eApplication Checklist, Single Family Dwelling or Duplex checklist · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
the targeted review time for this application type is seven business days
InspectionsBook 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.Request an Inspection; Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 (consolidated, PDF), s. 13(4) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
shall give at least 24 hours’ notice to the City when requesting an inspection
ContactBuilding and Inspection Services (Permit Services), 1 Centennial Square: 250.361.0344, permits@victoria.ca.Building Permits, Building Permits page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Please contact a Permit Services Representative at 250.361.0344 or permits@victoria.ca
BylawBuilding and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw No. 17-113Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 (consolidated, PDF), title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
BUILDING AND PLUMBING REGULATION BYLAW
BYLAW NO. 17-113

How it works

The City of Victoria's Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 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

The same question in other places

Oak Bay · Esquimalt · View Royal · Saanich · Colwood · Langford

Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Building Permits, City of Victoria (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw 17-113 (consolidated, PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Single Family Dwelling or Duplex eApplication Checklist (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Request an Inspection, City of Victoria (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. How answers are checked.