Building Additions

• Download or print the planning compliance form. 
• Access the Municipal Interactive Mapping System: 
• Locate the property: 
  • Use the mapping tool to find and pinpoint the specific property you are inquiring about. 
• Check zoning designations: 
  • Zoom in on the property to view its zoning designation. This will typically be labeled on the map. 
  • Compare the zoning designation to the information provided in Zoning Bylaw No. 2950 to understand the permitted uses, building regulations, and any other zoning-related details. 
• Identify Development Permit Areas: 
  • Use the mapping tool to locate any designated development permit areas that may affect the property. 
  • Refer to any additional information provided by the mapping tool regarding these areas.
• Access Agriculture Land Designation:
  • Use the mapping tool to determine if the property lies within Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).
• Review Zoning Bylaw regulations:
  • Access and review Zoning Bylaw No. 2950 on the municipal website for setbacks, lot coverage, and building height restrictions.
• Complete the form:
  • With the gathered information in hand, you can now complete the form accurately, referring to the municipal interactive mapping and Zoning Bylaw No. 2950 as needed to ensure your responses are in line with the current regulations and designations.
• Verify, sign and submit:
• Once complete, submit this form with the building permit application package

Design drawings must include:

• Main floor plan
• Cross section
• Elevation
• Foundation

Design drawings requirements:

• Prepared by a professional draftsperson, or someone with appropriate skills in technical drawing to prepare a to-scale, accurate representation of the proposed work.
• Elevations: 1/8"=1'-0"; Floor plan: 3/16”=1'
• Metric or imperial units are accepted. 

Engineered designs

When the proposed work is not covered by the prescriptive parts (Part 9) of the BC Building Code, a registered professional (an architect or a professional engineer) must be consulted, and may be required, under provincial acts or codes, to inspect certain elements of the construction. Please call our Building department if you are unsure of the requirements that must be met for your proposed work.

Applicants are to follow the checklist below before submitting an application. This checklist is intended to provide applicants with the minimum requirements for an addition permit application. The supporting documents must be submitted with the application to be accepted and approved.

• Planning Compliance Form  
• Engineering Compliance Form 
• Addition Application Checklist
• Building Permit Application Form
• Agent Authorization Form (required if property owner is not applying for permit) 
• To be obtained by the Land Title Office (or lawyer, notary, real estate office):
  • Title search (acquired within 30 days of your application date)
  • Covenants, easements and rights-of-way 
• Site Plan of subject property to scale
  • North Arrow and Scale 
  • Location and dimensions of: 
    • proposed building footprint 
    • setbacks, existing lot lines, rights-of-ways, easements and covenant areas 
• Required drawings – refer to the Drawing Checklist for specifics 
  • The drawings shall be submitted on sheets no smaller than 11” x 17” with minimum scale: 3/16” = 1’ floor and 1/8” = 1’ elevations.  
  • Include: footing plan, floor plan, cross-section plan, elevations 
• Truss Layout
• Site Disclosure Statement - Required by Ministry of Environment 
• Ventilation design (if applicable)
• Notice of filing for sewerage (if applicable)
• Business licence of contractor (if applicable)

A professional surveyor may be required to locate the proposed foundation if the proposed addition is within 1 foot of a required setback and the property pins are available or if the proposed building is within 5 feet of a required setback and the property pins are not available.

1. Email a completed Building Permit application form to building@northcowichan.ca and request a file upload ShareLink. In the subject line of the email, title it “Request for ShareLink” 
2. Once the applicant receives the ShareLink, they can upload the required checklist documentation. 
3. Once received, your request will be processed.

• The permit fee is set out in the “Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784”. Please contact the Planning & Building Department to confirm amount owed. 
• Permit fees are payable by: 
  • cash, interact, cheque or money order - made payable to the Corporation of the District of North Cowichan 
  • online payment - please use “North Cowichan – A/R” as the payee, using folder number BP00…. as your account to identify the fee you are paying. We request that you email a copy of your Fee Slip to finance@northcowichan.ca when payment has been made and copy the email to building@northcowichan.ca. Applicants may need to contact their financial institution for vendor account formatting. 
• Credit cards are not accepted.  
• A fee slip with be sent to the applicant once the permit is approved. 
• The permit fee does not include the Development Permit fee if one is determined to be required.