North Cowichan's Building Services oversees the issuance of permits for Single-Family Dwellings or Duplexes. Our aim is to provide applicants with all the necessary information and tools required for a seamless and successful permit application. Please see below a comprehensive checklist and guide to assist in preparing a building permit application for Single-Family Dwelling or Duplex.
Step 1: Plan your location
It is mandatory to submit a completed Planning Compliance form with every building permit application. Development Permit Areas (DPAs), Agriculture Land Designation (ALR), zoning bylaw regulations and charges on title all play crucial roles and can significantly impact the location of the building site. Proper consideration of these elements is essential for any construction project to ensure legal adherence, environmental responsibility, and the overall success of the building project.
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:
Review Zoning Bylaw No. 2950 for setbacks, lot coverage, and building height restrictions.
Refer 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.
Step 2: Prepare a site plan
A site plan is required for all applications. Follow the steps below to submit a correct site plan and minimize application processing times.
A site plan must include:
North arrow
Property address
Corresponding streets and avenues
Dimensions of property lines
Location, measurements, building height, and setbacks of proposed and existing buildings and structures to property lines and any water features
Location of any water features such as creek(s), and/or lake(s)
Identify applicable covenants, easements and rights-of-way
Location of proposed retaining walls
Proposed driveway including the driveway width, distance to closest lot corner and elevation of the driveway at the street and elevation at the garage floor
Include location of sanitary sewer, storm hook-up and the location of the water service
Building location surveys will be required to be submitted for all new buildings, additions to buildings and alterations modifying exterior wall profiles or roof projections. Building location survey plans are to be submitted after the foundation wall forms are erected for concrete walls, or after construction of a masonry or preserved wood foundation and floor assembly, but prior to further construction or backfilling.
The survey plan needs to indicate the shortest distance from lot lines to:
The inner surface of the exterior concrete foundation wall forms after bracing is secured, and prior to the placing of the concrete;
The outer face of wood sheathing for PWF foundation walls when the foundation is completed, and the floor system installed;
The outer face of masonry blocks for masonry foundation walls when the foundation is completed;
The lake and watercourse setbacks are measured from the furthest projection of the structure to the natural boundary; and
Setbacks to property lines shall be indicated on the survey plan for all exterior wall faces.
Design drawings must include:
Main floor plan
Cross section
Elevation
Foundation
Design drawings requirements:
Prepared by a person skillful in technical drawing, draftsperson, or professional
Scale: 1/4"=1'-0" or 1:100; Elevation scale: 3/16”=1'
Metric or imperial units are accepted. Please use units consistently.
An owner or builder may prepare their own plans provided they meet the following criteria:
the floor area is less than 600 square metres (6, 460 square feet) and not more than three storeys in building height;
all structural elements fall within Part 9 of the BC Building Code; and
the building is NOT an assembly, institutional, or “high hazard” industrial occupancy.
Reference should also be made to the provincial “Architect's Act”
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 design and inspect certain elements of the construction.
Step 3: Prepare your application
Applicants are to follow the checklist below before submitting an application. This checklist is intended to provide applicants with the minimum requirements for a single-family dwelling / duplex permit application. The supporting documents must be submitted with the application to be accepted and approved. One application and permit per building or structure.
One set of architectural plans on 11 x 17 or larger, minimum scale 3/16” = 1’ for floor plan and 1/8” = 1’ for elevations. (Include braced wall seismic design or engineered structural plans with a Schedule B). Include:
Foundation Plan
Floor Plan
Elevations
Cross Section
Truss Layout (Including point loads and end reactions)
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”
Once the applicant receives the ShareLink, they can upload the required checklist documentation.
Once received, your request will be processed.
Step 5: Building permit fees
Once a building permit has been approved a fee slip will be provided for payment.
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.
Important information about permits
Inspections are required at various stages of your project. It is the responsibility of the applicant/owner to contact Building Services to arrange a site visit to confirm completion of the project and obtain final approval.
Call 250-746-3102 to request an inspection.
Some projects may require both a development permit and a building permit. Contact the Planning & Building Department to ensure you have all the necessary paperwork before proceeding.