NOW ACCEPTING DIGITAL SUBMISSIONS!
Commercial Permits are used to permit any work on commercial, institutional, industrial, or Part 3 residential buildings. (Note: For Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) projects, please refer to our Residential Permits page.)
A Building Permit is required if:
- building an entirely new building,
- renovating an existing building,
- adding to an existing building,
- doing tenant improvements or
- demolishing an existing building
Application Requirements (items 1-5):
- A completed application form to be submitted via email.
- Request a secure file transfer link for items 3-5
- A paid application fee (refer to the Permit Calculator).
- Payable via cheque, cash, debit and credit card*
- *Effective December 1st: 2.4% surcharge is applicable
- A digital plan package OR five complete sets of printed plans for new, renovation, addition, leasehold/tenant improvements and demolitions.
- Submit plan-sets in the following order: architectural, structural, mechanical, plumbing, fire suppressions, electrical, other.
- Homeowner Warranty (HPO) required for all new multi-family projects.
- A completed Building Code Information Sheet.
The more complete the application, the faster the permit is issued!
Additional resources to assist in preparation of application submission:
- Occupancy permit information for Complex Buildings
- Review Building Bylaw No. 9529
- When is an architect required?
- Letters of Assurance
- Guide to Letters of Assurance (LOA)
- A geotechnical engineer's report may be required, depending on site conditions (via LOA)
- Should a registered professional provide letters of assurance, they shall obtain and keep in force professional liability insurance.
- Proof of such insurance to be provided to the building official through the Declaration of Insurance Coverage
- For questions about trees and development, applying for tree permits and the Tree Protection Bylaw contact Saanich Parks.
- All building permits are subject to the servicing requirements found within the Subdivision Bylaw, including Schedule H to the Bylaw. More information can be found here.
- Development Cost Charges (DCC) may apply to your project. Please refer to our DCC webpage for information.
