Homer Shack Hub

Category: BC Permits

Practical guides to building, electrical, plumbing, and zoning permits across BC municipalities — what to file, what to expect, and what trips homeowners up.

  • Victoria, BC Building Permit Guide: What You Need to Know Before You Apply

    Victoria, BC Building Permit Guide: What You Need to Know Before You Apply

    At a glance

    • City of Victoria building permits are handled at City Hall, 1 Centennial Square. The number to call is 250-361-0344. The email is permits@victoria.ca.
    • Application fee is $100, due when you apply. Building permit fee is 1.4% of construction value, due when the permit is issued.
    • If you build without a permit and get caught, the fee is 2.8% on the first $20,000 of value — basically double.
    • Big jobs can take up to six months to process. Most residential renos sit in the 4–12 week range once your application is complete.
    • Development Cost Charges (DCCs) and Amenity Cost Charges (ACCs) can stack on top of permit fees for new construction.

    Estimated read time: 7 minutes

    Why I wrote this

    I live in Duncan but I sold cars across Vancouver Island for 20 years and I’ve had hundreds of customers who lived, worked, and renovated in Victoria. Same theme every time: “Mark, I had no idea how the permit thing worked until I was three weeks in.”

    Victoria’s permit office is bigger than Duncan’s. The process is more formal. The fees are actually published — which is a refreshing change from most BC municipalities. But “more information available” doesn’t mean “easier to navigate.” This is the homeowner’s quick guide before you start clicking around the city website at 10 PM trying to figure out where to begin.

    First — confirm you’re actually in the City of Victoria

    This sounds dumb but it trips people up. The Capital Regional District is a patchwork. “Victoria” in casual conversation usually means Greater Victoria. But the City of Victoria itself is a small footprint — basically downtown, James Bay, Fairfield, Fernwood, Oaklands, Vic West, Burnside-Gorge, and Rockland-Jubilee.

    If your address is in:

    If you’re not sure, call 250-361-0344 and ask. They’ll tell you in under a minute.

    When you need a building permit in Victoria

    The City of Victoria follows the BC Building Code, like every BC municipality. A permit is required when you’re:

    • Building a new house, addition, or accessory building
    • Adding or modifying a secondary suite or garden suite
    • Making structural changes to an existing building
    • Doing interior alterations that affect plumbing, framing, or change of use
    • Changing the exterior of a building
    • Demolishing a building or part of one
    • Putting in a solid fuel appliance (wood stove, pellet stove)

    You don’t typically need a building permit for:

    • Painting, flooring, swapping cabinets where nothing structural or plumbing-related changes
    • Replacing windows like-for-like in the same opening size
    • Repairing roofing with the same material
    • Fences (still subject to bylaws)
    • Low decks under 600 mm above grade

    Electrical and gas work are separate and go through Technical Safety BC, not City Hall. If a licensed tradesperson is doing the work, they pull those permits. If you’re doing it yourself, you do.

    The development permit catch — this is the big one in Victoria

    Here’s where Victoria is different from Duncan or the CVRD. For many properties, you need a Development Permit BEFORE you can apply for a Building Permit. Development Permits regulate how a building looks and fits into its neighbourhood, especially in:

    • Heritage areas
    • Designated Development Permit Areas (DPAs) — there are 16 of them across the city
    • Areas with form-and-character guidelines

    If your property falls inside a DPA, you’ll need the Development Permit approved first. That alone can take weeks or months depending on whether your application needs to go to a panel or to Council.

    How to check if you’re in a DPA: Call the city, or use VicMap which is their online property tool.

    What it actually costs (the published numbers)

    Victoria publishes its fees — credit to them. From the City’s Guide to Building Permit Fees and Deposits:

    Fee Amount
    Application fee (due at time of application) $100
    Building permit fee 1.4% of cost of construction (excluding plumbing and electrical)
    Building permit fee if work was done WITHOUT a permit 2.8% on first $20,000 of value, 1.4% on remainder
    Permit extension or reactivation $100
    Permit revisions after issuance $100 OR 10% of original permit fee OR $125 per hour of staff time, whichever is greater
    Re-inspection (when more than 2 inspections required due to non-compliance) Variable

    Real-world math:

    • $50,000 reno: $100 application + $700 permit fee = roughly $800 total
    • $200,000 addition: $100 + $2,800 = $2,900
    • $500,000 new build: $100 + $7,000 = $7,100, plus DCC and ACC charges on top

    DCC (Development Cost Charges) and ACC (Amenity Cost Charges) are separate and apply mostly to new construction. ACC charges came into effect October 2, 2025 — they’re newer. The city allows DCC and ACC to be paid in installments for some applications but a minimum 25% is due at permit issuance.

    How long does it take?

    The City of Victoria’s own guidance flat-out says: “If you plan extensive changes, the permit process could take up to six months.”

    From what I’ve heard from former customers who built in Victoria:

    • Simple residential reno (no DPA): 4–8 weeks once complete application is submitted
    • Larger reno or suite addition (no DPA): 8–16 weeks
    • New build or major addition with Development Permit: 4–9 months total (Development Permit + Building Permit stacked)
    • Anything requiring rezoning or a Public Hearing: plan on 9–18 months

    The clock starts the day your application is complete — meaning all checklists, drawings, fees, and supporting documents are in. If something’s missing, the clock doesn’t tick.

    What you submit with the application

    From the City’s Single Family Dwelling Checklist:

    • Completed building permit application
    • $100 application fee
    • Site plan with property dimensions, north arrow, street names, building location, parking, access points, setbacks, easements
    • Floor plans drawn to scale (¼” = 1′ or 1:50) showing all rooms with dimensions and use
    • All elevations (exterior views) showing finished grade, materials, roof slope
    • Cross-section drawings showing structural details
    • Foundation plan
    • All plumbing fixture locations
    • Wall structure details and any fire separations
    • For larger projects: engineer-stamped structural drawings and Schedule B Letter of Assurance
    • Energy efficiency / Step Code compliance documentation (BC Energy Step Code applies)

    Incomplete applications get sent back. Don’t submit a partial.

    The Development Permit fees (separate from Building Permit)

    If you’re in a Development Permit Area, you’ll see fees like:

    • Development Permit base fee: $3,000 — $7,500 depending on the type
    • Development Permit with variance: $750 (includes one variance, $250 per additional variance)
    • Rezoning: $2,000 per dwelling unit (multi-family) or $3,000+ base fees
    • Resubmission fee (if your application doesn’t address city requirements): $500
    • Community Meeting Fee (rezoning): $800–$2,400

    If your project is 100% affordable housing, the base fees may be waived under Victoria’s Affordable Housing policy.

    The “build without permit” penalty

    Cities don’t love getting fooled. Victoria’s stated penalty for unpermitted work is straightforward: the permit fee doubles to 2.8% on the first $20,000 of construction value, then drops back to 1.4% for the remainder. Plus you might face a Stop Work Order, plus you have to redo or expose work that was already covered.

    On a $30,000 unpermitted basement reno, that’s:

    • Normal permit fee: $30,000 × 1.4% = $420
    • Penalty permit fee: ($20,000 × 2.8%) + ($10,000 × 1.4%) = $560 + $140 = $700
    • Difference: $280 — plus all the headache of the city demanding inspection access

    It’s not a fortune. But the headache, the stop-work disruption, and the resale problem (every BC home sale form asks if there’s unpermitted work) make this a bad financial bet.

    Who you actually call in Victoria

    What you need Who handles it
    Building permits in City of Victoria Permit Services, 250-361-0344, permits@victoria.ca
    Development permits Same office
    Zoning questions zoning@victoria.ca
    Business licence businesslicence@victoria.ca
    Sign permits permits@victoria.ca
    Electrical & gas permits Technical Safety BC
    Health approvals (septic in unincorporated areas, food service, pools) Island Health
    Saanich, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, etc. Each municipality’s own building department
    Unincorporated CRD areas CRD Building Inspection

    City Hall: 1 Centennial Square, Victoria, BC V8W 1P6

    FAQ

    Do I need a permit for a deck in Victoria?
    If the deck surface is more than 600 mm above grade, yes. Anything attached to the house generally needs review even at lower heights. Check with the city.

    Can I apply for a permit myself as the owner?
    Yes. Owners can apply for permits on their own properties. If a designer, contractor, or anyone else is applying on your behalf, you’ll need to sign an Appointment of Agent form.

    Can I submit my application by email?
    Yes. Victoria accepts applications via email at permits@victoria.ca. Bigger applications may need to be submitted through their permit portal or in person depending on size.

    How long is a Victoria building permit valid?
    Standard BC: typically you have one year to start work, and the permit must be kept active through construction. If it expires, the $100 reactivation fee applies.

    What’s a “partial permit” and should I ask for one?
    You can request a partial permit at no extra cost when you submit your application. This lets you start foundation or other early work while the rest of the permit is still being reviewed. Box gets checked on the application form.

    Are there fee holidays I should know about?
    As of writing this, Victoria has implemented a fee holiday for some municipal permits to encourage housing development. Check the current fee summary before assuming you’ll pay full fees.

    Do I need a Development Permit AND a Building Permit?
    Often yes, especially in heritage areas, Development Permit Areas, or for new builds. The Development Permit must be issued before the Building Permit. Plan for both timelines.

    Bottom line

    Victoria is more formal and more expensive than Duncan or the Cowichan Valley, but the city actually publishes its fees and procedures — which is more than I can say for most BC municipalities. The $100 application fee gets you in the door. The 1.4% permit fee is what most jobs run into. The Development Permit Area thing is the curveball most homeowners don’t see coming, so check that first.

    If you’re starting a project in Victoria, do three things before anything else:

    1. Email permits@victoria.ca with your property address and a short description of your project. Ask if you’re in a DPA.
    2. Check VicMap to confirm zoning.
    3. Book a pre-application meeting if your project is more than a simple reno. It’s free and it’ll save you weeks.

    Call 250-361-0344 and get a real human on the line. They’ve heard your question before.

    Related guides from Homer Shack Hub:

    Brew approves the messages. — Mark Dupuis, Duncan, BC

  • Duncan, BC Building Permit Guide: What You Actually Need to Know

    Duncan, BC Building Permit Guide: What You Actually Need to Know

    At a glance

    • Building permits in the City of Duncan are handled by the Building Department at City Hall, 200 Craig Street.
    • Anything structural, plumbing, or electrical inside city limits goes through the city. If you’re outside city limits, you’re in the CVRD and that’s a different office.
    • Fees aren’t posted online — you find out after staff review your application.
    • The phone number you actually need is 250-746-6126. The email is developmentservices@duncan.ca.
    • Plan on at least one meeting with the Building Inspector before anything gets approved.

    Estimated read time: 6 minutes

    Why I wrote this

    I live in Duncan. I’ve lived in this valley most of my adult life, sold cars 15 minutes from here at Duncan Honda for fifteen years, and watched plenty of neighbours get tangled up trying to figure out whether they need a permit for a deck, a shed, a new bathroom, or a granny suite. The answer is almost always “yes, and here’s the part nobody tells you” — so this is the part nobody tells you.

    This is the homeowner’s version. Not the contractor’s version, not the architect’s version. Just what you need before you pick up the phone.

    First question: are you actually in the City of Duncan?

    This trips people up more than anything else. The City of Duncan is small — under two square kilometres. If your address says Duncan but your property is technically in North Cowichan, the CVRD, or one of the surrounding electoral areas, you do not deal with the City of Duncan for permits. You deal with the Cowichan Valley Regional District or with North Cowichan.

    Quick check:

    • City of Duncan handles permits only within actual city limits (the few blocks around downtown).
    • North Cowichan handles most of the surrounding area — Maple Bay, Crofton, Chemainus, most of the rural stretches.
    • The CVRD handles the unincorporated areas farther out.

    If you’re not sure, call 250-746-6126 and ask. They’ll tell you who actually owns your file in about ten seconds.

    When you need a permit in Duncan

    The City of Duncan follows the 2024 BC Building Code, same as everywhere else in the province. The general rule is: if you’re changing the structure, the layout, or any regulated system (plumbing, electrical, gas), you need a permit.

    That includes:

    • Building a new house, addition, or accessory building over a certain size
    • Adding or modifying a secondary suite (granny suite, basement suite)
    • Moving interior walls or changing structural elements
    • Installing or moving plumbing fixtures
    • Putting in a deck above a certain height above grade
    • Demolishing a building or part of one
    • Changing the occupancy of a building (turning a garage into a living space)
    • Putting in a wood stove or solid fuel appliance

    What usually doesn’t need a building permit:

    • Painting, flooring, cabinet swaps where you’re not moving plumbing
    • Repairing or replacing a faucet, fixture, or hot water tank without changing the piping layout
    • Small accessory buildings under the threshold
    • Fences (though there are bylaw rules)
    • Low decks below 600 mm above grade

    But here’s the part I keep telling my neighbours: electrical work is its own permit, separate from the building permit, and it goes through Technical Safety BC — not the City of Duncan. Same with gas. If you’re hiring a tradesperson, the licensed one pulls their own permit. If you’re doing it yourself, you pull it yourself, and you’d better know what you’re doing.

    The application process — step by step

    Here’s how it actually works in Duncan, based on the city’s own application checklist:

    Step 1: Talk to staff first. Before you submit anything, you meet with the Building Department to confirm your use is permitted under the City of Duncan Zoning Bylaw, check parking requirements if applicable, and find out what other regulations apply to your specific property. This step is free. Skip it and you’ll waste weeks.

    Step 2: Meeting with the Building Inspector. Before the full review, the applicant and Building Inspector go through the application together. This is your chance to catch problems before they cost you money.

    Step 3: Site review. The Building Inspector reviews the actual site — not just your paperwork. They want to see the property.

    Step 4: Plan review against the BC Building Code. The Inspector checks your drawings against local bylaws and the BC Building Code. If there are problems (and there usually are), you’ll get a list of required changes. Revising drawings is on you — get your designer or contractor lined up before you start, because rev rounds eat time.

    Step 5: Permit issued. Once your drawings clear, the permit gets issued with a condition: construction must match the approved drawings. Period. You change something mid-build, you come back to the office.

    Step 6: Inspections. The permit comes with an inspection card listing the inspections you need to schedule — framing, plumbing, insulation, final, and so on depending on the scope. The approved drawings must be on site for every inspection. Miss one or close walls before they’re checked and you’re tearing it back open.

    What you submit with the application

    This list is straight from the city’s tenant improvement / building permit checklist. Even for a residential job, expect most of these:

    • Completed building permit application
    • Application fee (amount confirmed after staff review the scope)
    • Appointment of Agent form if someone other than the owner is applying
    • Site plan with property dimensions, north arrow, street names, building location, parking, access
    • Floor plans to scale (¼” = 1′ or 1:50) showing existing and proposed construction
    • All outside dimensions and total square footage
    • Room dimensions and use
    • Interior partitions including partition height
    • Door sizes and swing direction
    • All plumbing fixtures (new and existing identified)
    • Construction details: wall structure, fire ratings if applicable, fire stopping for service penetrations, structural changes

    For Part 3 buildings (apartments, commercial) you need engineer-stamped structural drawings and a Schedule B Letter of Assurance. For most residential jobs you don’t — but if you’re touching the structure, an engineer is going to be involved one way or another.

    The big one most people forget: incomplete applications are not accepted. They get sent back. You don’t lose your spot in line because you never got into the line.

    How long does it take?

    The City of Duncan doesn’t publish a public timeline the way Vancouver does. From people I’ve talked to and from what the CVRD lists as their target for their own area (4 weeks for a complete application), here’s the rough shape:

    • Simple residential reno: 3 to 6 weeks once your application is complete
    • Suite addition or larger reno: 6 to 12 weeks
    • New build, addition, or laneway-type project: 10 to 18 weeks

    These are estimates. Add time for every revision round. Add time if your file gets bounced to other agencies (Vancouver Island Health for septic, Ministry of Transportation for highway access, etc.).

    One thing I keep hearing from my old Honda customers turned homeowners: the timeline starts the day your application is complete, not the day you walk in the door. If staff need three things from you, the clock isn’t ticking until you’ve handed all three over.

    What it costs

    City of Duncan doesn’t publish a fee schedule on their public website. The application fee is set after staff review your scope. The actual permit fee in BC is almost always a percentage of construction value — at the CVRD it’s 1.4% under their building bylaw, and Duncan is in the same ballpark.

    Rough math for a $50,000 reno: figure $700 to $900 in permit fees, plus an application fee of a couple hundred. For a $300,000 addition: figure $4,000 to $5,000 in permit fees alone. You’ll also potentially owe Development Cost Charges (DCCs), trade permits for plumbing and gas, and inspection fees.

    Call the city and ask. They’ll tell you on the phone. 250-746-6126.

    What happens if you build without a permit

    I’m going to be straight with you: people do it. Some get away with it. Many don’t.

    What goes wrong:

    • The city finds out (neighbour complaint, sale of the property, insurance claim)
    • You face a stop-work order and have to apply retroactively, often with double fees
    • You can’t sell the property without disclosing it, and the buyer’s lawyer or home inspector finds it
    • Your home insurance won’t cover damage tied to unpermitted work
    • Your mortgage lender can refuse to refinance

    I sold cars for twenty years. I know the temptation to skip a step to save a buck. Permits are the one place on a renovation where skipping a step costs you more, not less. Pay the application fee. Sit through the meeting. Get your drawings right.

    Who you actually call

    What you need Where to go
    Building permits inside Duncan city limits City of Duncan Building Department, 250-746-6126, developmentservices@duncan.ca
    Building permits in North Cowichan, CVRD areas CVRD Building Inspection
    Electrical permits anywhere in BC Technical Safety BC
    Gas permits Technical Safety BC
    Health approvals (septic, food service, pools) Island Health (VIHA)
    Anything you’re still confused about Call 250-746-6126 and ask

    City Hall: 200 Craig Street, Duncan, B.C. V9L 1W3

    FAQ

    Do I need a permit for a deck in Duncan?
    If the deck surface is more than 600 mm (about 2 feet) above grade, yes. Below that, generally no — but check with the city before you start, because attachment to the house can change the answer.

    Can I pull my own permit as the owner?
    Yes. Owners can apply for permits on their own property. If someone else applies on your behalf (designer, contractor, friend), they need an Appointment of Agent form signed by you.

    How long is a Duncan building permit valid?
    BC standard is generally one year before work has to start and several years to complete. Specific terms are on your permit. Don’t let it expire — renewal fees stack up.

    Does the City of Duncan accept electronic submissions?
    Most BC municipalities have moved to email submission. Confirm the current process when you call — small municipalities update their procedures more than the website reflects.

    What if I’m replacing a roof or siding?
    Like-for-like replacement of roofing or siding typically doesn’t need a permit. Replacing with dissimilar materials (changing siding type, or roofing type) usually does.

    My property says “Duncan” on the mail but I’m not sure if it’s in the City of Duncan.
    Call 250-746-6126 and give them your address. They’ll tell you in 30 seconds. If you’re not in the city, they’ll route you to North Cowichan or the CVRD.

    Bottom line

    The permit process in Duncan isn’t fast and isn’t cheap, but it’s not the nightmare people make it out to be. Talk to staff before you submit. Get your drawings right the first time. Keep the approved set on site during every inspection. And confirm whether you’re actually in the City of Duncan or in the CVRD before you call the wrong office.

    If you’ve got a project in mind and you’re not sure where to start — start with the phone call. 250-746-6126. They’ve heard it all before.

    Related guides from Homer Shack Hub:

    Brew approves the messages. — Mark Dupuis, Duncan, BC

  • How to Pull a Building Permit in the Cowichan Valley: What I Learned the Hard Way

    Last updated: May 8, 2026

    About Twelve Years Ago, My Mom Broke Her Hip

    About twelve years ago, my mom broke her hip. She was the kind of woman who liked to be the centre of attention and usually got it, but a broken hip changes the game. Stairs were out. The hospital wanted her in a single-level setup before they’d even talk about discharge.

    I have stairs in my Duncan house. So I started planning a small addition off the back — two rooms, a living area and a bedroom. No bathroom, no plumbing, just a place where she could come live with us without climbing anything.

    That’s how I learned the hard way how the Cowichan Valley building permit system actually works.

    The addition never got built. My mom moved into our existing house with modifications instead, and we made it work. She’s been gone two years now. But what I learned from that permit fight has saved me — and a few people I’ve passed it on to — a lot of grief on later projects.

    This is the practical guide I wish somebody had handed me before I called the CVRD.

    First, Know Who You’re Dealing With

    The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) is the local government for nine electoral areas across the valley. If you’re outside an incorporated municipality (Duncan, North Cowichan, Lake Cowichan, Ladysmith), the CVRD is who issues your permit. If you’re inside one of those municipalities, your city handles it instead — and the rules are different. Always check first.

    The CVRD’s main building permit page is on their website. Bookmark it. You’ll be back.

    The bylaw that governs CVRD building permits is Building Bylaw No. 4433. It’s the legal document the inspector grades your project against. You don’t need to read all of it, but knowing the name of the bylaw keeps you grounded when staff say “the bylaw requires…” — you can ask for the section.

    Step 1: Find Out What You Actually Need a Permit For

    Most additions, new buildings, structural changes, decks over a certain height, plumbing changes, and secondary suites need a building permit. Replacing a roof with the same materials usually doesn’t. When in doubt, call before you nail anything.

    The CVRD’s number for inspections is on their website. Tell them what you want to build, where it sits on the property, and what you think the construction value will be. They will tell you whether you need a permit. If they say “you do,” ask the next question right away: “What zone am I in, and what are the setbacks?”

    That one question would have saved me three months of planning.

    Step 2: Understand Setbacks Before You Fall in Love With a Spot

    A setback is the minimum distance your building has to sit from each property line — front, sides, rear. In residential zones in the CVRD, the rear setback is typically 7.5 metres (about 25 feet). Side setbacks are usually smaller. Front setbacks depend on the zone.

    This is where my plan died.

    The back of my property abuts city-owned land. I planned the addition tight to the back of the existing house, where it made sense for the layout, the foundation, and getting Mom’s bedroom on the south side for sun. When I submitted the plans, CVRD came back and pointed out the obvious: the addition wouldn’t be 7.5 metres from the rear property line. Not even close.

    I asked the question every BC homeowner asks at this moment: “Can we get a variance?”

    Here’s the answer I got, and it’s the answer most people get: a Development Variance Permit (DVP) is a separate application, it’s discretionary, and it can be denied. The CVRD’s own glossary spells this out — DVPs can vary the siting and height of a building, but “these applications are discretionary, meaning it could be denied. All options to satisfy the bylaw requirements should be exhausted prior to making an application to vary the regulation.”

    Translation: even if you apply, you might not get it. And against city land, the odds drop further.

    My takeaway for anyone planning an addition in the CVRD: before you draw a single line on paper, walk the property with a tape measure. Find out where every line is — including the back one — and what’s on the other side of it. A property line against a neighbour’s residential lot is one fight. A property line against city or Crown land is a much bigger one.

    Step 3: Prepare Your Application Package

    CVRD wants a complete application up front. Incomplete applications go to the back of the line and can be sent back outright. The full list lives in the CVRD Building Permit FAQ, but the core pieces are:

    • A completed CVRD Building Permit Application form
    • A site plan showing your lot, the existing buildings, the proposed building, and all setbacks
    • Building drawings (floor plans, elevations, cross-sections, foundation details)
    • Estimated value of construction (a required field — this drives your fees)
    • Any required engineer or registered professional letters of assurance
    • Mechanical, plumbing, and electrical plans where applicable

    Submit by email to inspections@cvrd.bc.ca. The application fee is $100 for projects valued under $50,000 and $250 for projects valued over $50,000. That’s the fee just to start the review — your full permit fee gets calculated later.

    Step 4: Know the Real Permit Fee Math

    The CVRD calculates building permit fees based on your project’s estimated construction value. For renovations, alterations, and complex projects, the fee is generally 1% of the estimated value of construction. For new residential construction, there’s a separate fee schedule in Building Bylaw 4433.

    What this means in practical terms:

    • A $30,000 deck project: roughly $300 in permit fees, plus the $100 application fee
    • A $150,000 addition: roughly $1,500 in permit fees, plus the $250 application fee
    • A $400,000 new build: refer to the new construction fee schedule — fees are tiered

    CVRD does not currently take credit cards for permit fees. Cash, debit, or cheque payable to the Cowichan Valley Regional District. If you pay by cheque, write the permit number and address on it.

    Step 5: Cross Your T’s and Dot Your I’s

    This is the line I keep coming back to with anyone planning a CVRD project: cross your t’s and dot your i’s. I’ve watched neighbours and friends submit permit packages with one missing detail — a setback unmarked on the site plan, an engineer’s letter not yet stamped, an estimated construction value left blank — and lose weeks while the application sits in the “needs more info” pile.

    The reviewer is not your enemy. But they are reading dozens of files a week, and the ones that move forward are the complete ones.

    A few things that catch people:

    • Site plans without dimensions. “Approximately 5 metres” doesn’t cut it. Measure and label every distance.
    • Missing the rear lot line setback when it abuts a road, lane, or city land. That’s the one that got me.
    • Underestimating construction value. If you say a project costs $40,000 and it obviously costs $90,000, the inspector knows. They’ve seen thousands of projects. Be honest.
    • Forgetting plumbing or mechanical declarations. If your project touches a wall with a pipe in it, expect questions.
    • Skipping Riparian/Watercourse setbacks. If you’re within 30 metres of a stream, lake, ocean, or wetland, an environmental assessment may be required before your building permit can move forward.

    A Word About Bylaw 4710 (The Zoning Storm of 2026)

    If you’ve been following local news, you’ve heard about CVRD Bylaw 4710 — the 322-page draft Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw that consolidated nine electoral-area bylaws into one document. It triggered a serious community pushback. Over 100 residents protested outside the CVRD office on Ingram Street on March 31, 2026, and a Facebook group called Neighbours Against New CVRD Bylaws hit 8,700 members in two weeks.

    On April 22, 2026, the CVRD board voted unanimously to pause work on Bylaw 4710 until after the October 2026 local election.

    What this means for you, the homeowner planning a project right now:

    • Current zoning bylaws are still in force. The pause did not change today’s rules.
    • Bylaw 4710 contained proposed changes to setbacks from major watercourses (50 metres from the Cowichan, Koksilah, and Chemainus Rivers, or 30 metres from the top of a ravine bank). Those changes are paused, not adopted.
    • After the election, expect the conversation to restart. If you have property near a major waterway, slope, or agricultural reserve, watch the news.

    The takeaway: plan against today’s rules, but read your current zoning regulations carefully, especially for ALR land, riparian areas, and accessory dwelling units.

    Step 6: Inspections and the Long Tail

    Once your permit is issued, you don’t get to relax. You’re on the hook for scheduled inspections at specific construction stages — foundation, framing, plumbing rough-in, insulation, final. Miss one, and you can be ordered to expose work you’ve already covered up.

    CVRD inspectors are thorough. That’s good if you want a safe building. It’s frustrating if you want a fast one. Plan your build schedule around their availability, not the other way around.

    What I’d Tell My Past Self

    If I could go back twelve years to the day I first sketched out my mom’s addition, here’s what I’d say:

    1. Walk every property line first. Know what’s on the other side of each one.
    2. Call CVRD before you draw. A 15-minute phone call would have changed my whole plan.
    3. Build the application package fully or don’t submit it. A half-ready submission costs more time than waiting another week to get it right.
    4. Have a Plan B in your back pocket. When my addition didn’t work, modifying the existing house did. Mom got her time with us. Sometimes the permit system saying “no” is the system telling you to find a different “yes.”

    Need Help?

    Related guides from Homer Shack Hub:

    If you’re staring at a CVRD permit form and not sure where to start, drop me a line through the Contact page. I’m not a permit professional, and nothing here is professional advice — but I’ve been on both sides of “your application is incomplete” and I’m happy to share what I’ve learned. Brew approves the messages.

    — Mark

    Sources

    • CVRD Building Inspection & Permits
    • CVRD Building Permit FAQs
    • CVRD Planning & Development Glossary
    • Plan Your Cowichan – CZB project
    • CBC News: Cowichan Valley bylaw pause
    • Victoria Buzz: Cowichan zoning protest
    • The Discourse: Bylaw 4710 details
    • Province of BC, Building or Renovation Permits overview

  • Permit Common Sense: When Nobody Will Notice Is a Bad Plan

    Permit Common Sense: When Nobody Will Notice Is a Bad Plan

    Last updated: May 8, 2026

    “Nobody will notice” is not a plan.

    It is a sentence people say when they already know they are cutting a corner.

    The quick answer

    If a job touches structure, electrical, plumbing, gas, major exterior work, rental safety, insurance, or resale value, check the permit rules before you start. A permit can feel like a pain until the missing permit becomes the expensive part.

    Human Salt

    Job sites taught me that the part you skip is often the part that comes back later. It might come back during an inspection, an insurance claim, a sale, a repair, or a failure.

    The Watch Your Step idea applies here too. Before you move, know where the next step lands.

    The mistake people make

    They think a permit is only about getting caught.

    That is too small. Permits are also about safety, documentation, insurance, resale, and knowing the job was checked against the rules where you live.

    The better move

    1. Check your local rules before starting.
    2. Write down what the job actually changes.
    3. Ask whether inspections are required.
    4. Keep receipts, photos, and permit paperwork together.
    5. Do not bury work that should be inspected first.

    Watch the line

    Rules change by location. This is common-sense guidance, not legal or building-code advice. If the job matters, check with your local authority or a qualified professional.

    Homer’s bottom line

    The shortcut nobody notices can become the problem everybody notices later.

    Planning a job that needs permits? Run the BC Permit Reality Check before you start swinging a hammer.

    Quick Poll

    Have you ever seen a small shortcut turn into a big repair?

    Keep the notebook open