Thinking Of Renovating? You Might Need A Permit For That

21 Apr Thinking Of Renovating? You Might Need A Permit For That

Most of us know that building a house in Vancouver or the Lower Mainland requires a Building Permit. But did you know that renovations might require a permit as well?

Any renovations that include structural and non structural changes, additions and major upgrades to your home are subject to getting one, or several, permits from your municipality.

Not sure if you need a permit for your renovation? Here’s a summary of the types of permits that affect renovations in the Lower Mainland. Plus, we’re highly experienced in helping homeowners by completing your renovation drawings for city permits and helping you with the process.

Development Permit

For all new construction, additions and exterior alterations including laneway houses you will need a Development Permit. Call your municipality to confirm whether you need a Development, Building, or a combined DB permit (see below).

Building Permits

For moving or building new walls and partitions inside or outside the house; moving or installing new plumbing, electrical or gas lines; constructing new buildings such as sheds and garages; and building or moving fences, decks and retaining walls. Basically if it has structure you will need a Building Permit.

When you need a Building Permit, you usually will need a complementary “trades” permit, such as for plumbing, electrical or tree removal.

DB permits

When you need both a Development and Building Permit. The Development-Building is for several types of building and renovation projects, but ask your municipality for which projects exactly fall under this category.

Demolition Permits

For taking down buildings. Note that some municipalities require you to recycle materials during demolition, including drywall, which is banned from local landfills.

Aborist and Tree Removal Permits

In Vancouver and Surrey especially, working with an arborist is important if any trees will be impacted by your renovation. An arborist will visit your land and prepare a report, which needs to be delivered to the city.

Electrical, Plumbing, Gas and Water/Sewer Permits

Many renovations will affect the electrical, gas and plumbing system of your home, and some will also affect the water and sewer access. If you do any work that requires changes to the plumbing or electrical system in your home, you either need to apply for a permit yourself, or have your contractor do it for you. If you’re building a new dwelling, including a laneway house, you’ll also need to apply for a water and sewer connection permit.

Secondary Suite Permits

When your renovation includes building a legal secondary suite for rental income, municipalities normally require a permit.

Basement Finishing Permits

For homeowners in Surrey, it’s required to have a permit to finish an unfinished basement.

If you’re planning to renovate your home, call us first at 604-876-3738. We can help prepare your renovation designs to present to the municipality, and help you with acquiring renovation permits, whether you’re hiring a contractor, or DIYing it!

Here’s how to find all the information you’ll need for your municipality:

• Vancouver
• Burnaby
• Coquitlam
• Richmond
• New Westminster
• Surrey
• Langley
• Port Coquitlam