​Building Permit Application
All municipalities will require a building permit application form to be filled out and submitted with the permit drawings. An owners authorization letter may also be required if you have an agent applying for the building permit on the owners behalf. See your municipalities Building Departments web page for links to reliant forms and information on their city's process for taking in building permits.
You will want to show up prepared with the correct drawings and documents when applying for a building permit. Many building departments will only take in building permits during certain working hours. The process can take a long time as many elements on the drawings will need to be checked prior to the city accepting your permit package.
It is a good idea to come with the owner or contractor or with a blank cheque as the permit fees will most likely be calculated at that time. It is also possible at some municipalities to phone ahead and give the construction value over the phone to get the permit fees calculated prior to showing up in person. If this would be a helpful option for you, we suggest phoning your local municipalities building department and asking if they provide this service.
​Waiting for a building permit to be approved can be a lengthy processes in the lower mainland. Permit review times can vary from special 48 hour turn around times in smaller municipalities to 6+ months for a first review at busy times in larger municipalities. We recommend calling your building department and asking for typical wait times for your type of permit. Typically an estimated time will be given until the first review. There may be a number of revisions required after the first review which could add weeks or months onto review times before permit issuance. The better quality drawings you have the less chance a building department will require revisions. We recommend using a skilled drafting company like ourselves in order for the permit posses to go as smoothly and as quick as possible.
If your permit requires a change in zoning, a variance, or is close to a waterway an additional departments my need to review your building permit submission. This can take extra review time by the municipality. This can also cost more money to obtain the permit and typically mean extra drawings will be require at the time of submission. Working with a company that is familiar with the zoning bylaws and the review process of municipalities in the Lower Mainland is a big plus when going though this process. We guarantee to help along the way and make your building permit process as stress free as possible.
Once the permit is ready for issuance, the municipality will contact the parties involved (Contractor, Home Owner, Designer, Site Contact) to come back to the building department and pick up the permit. At this time the remaining permit fees will need to be paid.
In some municipalities a separate demolition permit can be taken out prior to the new house permit. This may save time on the construction phase as this permit can be faster to receive. If you are considering demolishing and old house and building new for your project, you may want to explore what options your municipality has for separate demolition permits.
The issued building permit is typically good for a certain number of months. If construction takes longer a permit extension fee may apply. Be sure to get all the details on permit expiry dates when picking up the permit. Also be sure to ask for the construction working hours permitted by that municipality.
The permit should come with instructions attached on how and when to call for inspections. Ensure you and your builder are aware of this process. Ripping out work because an inspector wasn't called at the appropriate times is a very costly and time consuming mistake.
For more information about revision drawings to active permits during construction, or the Board of Variance process, or GIS mapping tools, please see our other service pages.
FREE QUOTE
Vancouver Drafting would love to talk to you about your project and offer a free quote. Please call us today at 604-706-1745 or fill out a quote form on our site to start the process.
GIS MAPPING INFO
Using GIS Mapping technology can help imagine what is possible on your site. Find the link to your cities GIS map to get a view of your lot, see the location of property lines and city services.
CONSTRUCTION
A good construction company is as good as the drawings they are working from. Ensure your contractor is working from good quality and reliant drawings for the best results.