A building permit is required before starting most construction projects. Review the information below to see if you need a permit for your project.
A building permit is required when construction is located within a building inspection area and the work consists of:
- construction of a new building or an addition to an existing building*
- installation of a factory built home
- construction of an accessory building*
- construction of a deck, if the deck surface is 600 millimeters (twenty-four inches) or higher above grade level, or if the deck is covered
- construction of a carport or garage, either attached to a residence, or detached
- making structural alterations to any building
- moving or demolishing any building
- changing the use of a building
- installing fireplaces, chimneys, or solid-fuel burning appliances
- installing a sign
- setting up a pre-engineered building or shelter
- plumbing if adding or modifying piping
- construction of a retaining wall
- a detached accessory building not exceeding 10 square metres (107 square feet) in floor area provided zoning permits and does not constitute a hazard
- factory built buildings (ie: portable carport, tent, etc.) not exceeding 55 m2 (595 ft2) in area and one storey in height, if erected for seasonal use only (seasonal means a period of time not exceeding 6 months)
- re-roofing or replacing exterior cladding unless structural repairs are required, or insulation is also being replaced or upgraded
- unroofed decks detached from residential occupancies if the deck surface is 600 mm (2 feet) or less above the adjacent ground level
- replacing windows and doors if not changing opening sizes
Permit costs are based on construction values.
Please see the Fees & Charges Bylaw for a more complete description of permit fee charges.
A building permit application goes through several stages of review before issuance.
Reviews include:
- zoning compliance
- building bylaw compliance
- building code compliance
At any stage, other issues may arise that need extra information or documentation. Such as:
- professional engineer
- architect
- development permit
- variance permit
- other information
The Building Department will contact you as soon as possible about any extra information that is required.
To schedule an inspection, please call the designated Inspection Booking Line at 250.746.3102 or send your request by email to BookingInspections@northcowichan.ca. Please provide the following information:
- site address
- building permit number
- type of inspection required
- your preferred contact name and number
Requests received prior to 4pm will be scheduled for the next business day, and requests received after this cut-off will be scheduled for the day after the next business day
Kindly note that while inspections are scheduled for specific days, precise time slots cannot be guaranteed.
A permit is issued when:
- All required documentation has been submitted and reviewed
- Building department confirms by a Building Code Compliance Plan review that all proposed work substantially conforms with the current BC building code
- Development Services department confirms compliance of proposed work with applicable zoning bylaw.
- All fees are paid
- The owner has retained a professional engineer or architect, if required
- The owner has been granted Development Permit/Development Variance Permit, if required
- The proposed work complies with ALC regulations for lands within the ALR or the owner has been granted approval for non-permitted uses within by the ALC for lands within the ALR
Building permits can be denied if the applicant has not submitted complete information such as:
- application forms not complete
- less than a full set of drawings
- not enough detailed information
- not the required scale
- no proof of New Home Registration Form, when required
- engineering design and documents not provided when required
- when proposed use or construction contravenes the British Columbia Building Code, North Cowichan’s Bylaws, or other applicable regulations
Applications:
- Six (6) months from the date of application
- Applications are considered abandoned after 6 months if all required documents are not received
Building Permit:
- Expire two (2) years after the issue date (excluding demolition permits)
- It is possible to extend a permit for the remaining work for an extra fee
- As long as the Building Department is notified before permit expires
**Permits must be posted in view from the street**
- Contact the building department to request a renewal of the permit.
- Renewal cost is percentage based on last approved inspection to date.