Building Permits Application Process

The process for issuing Building Permits involves an initial review of your application by the Chief Building Official.

ALERT (COVID-19): Business update for Building Permits and Business Licenses

Overview

Depending on the scope of your project and whether it is categorized as a major project or other project, the approval process will move forward accordingly.

Major projects have a construction value greater than $5 million, other projects have a construction value less than $5 million. 

It is important to align your project with the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Service policies on the numbering of floors in multi-storey buildings. Please refer to the Consecutive Floor Numbering Policy in the Development Handbook for more information.

A Building Permit (Major and Minor Capital Projects) is required for all construction regulated under the BC Building Code and UBC Development and Building Regulations. This includes new buildings, additions to existing buildings, renovations to existing buildings, and change of use of an existing building.

Major Projects - Required Application Information

For major projects with a construction value greater than $5 million, our Chief Building Official requires the following minimum information when you submit a Building Permit application:

  • A completed Building Permit application form with an estimate of the contract value
  • Five sets of signed, collated and sealed construction plans including Code Compliance Plans prepared in accordance with the requirements of the BC Building Code plus additional information as may be reasonably requested by the authority having jurisdiction
  • Completed Schedules A, B1 and B2 from the BC Building Code for projects requiring the services of a registered professional
  • A completed APEGBC “Checklist for Professional Structural Concept review’ form attached to the “Guideline for Professional Concept Review,
  • The required refundable deposit for final design plans to be received as record drawings
  • The required refundable deposit to be held to cover damage to the landscape and infrastructure in the public space
  • A cheque, money order or internal requisition for the amount of the Building Permit application fee in accordance with Schedule B of the UBC Development and Building Regulations

Other Projects - Required Application Information

For projects that have a construction value of less than $5 million or projects that are part of the UBC Renew program, our Permits and Inspections unit looks for the following minimum information when you submit a Building Permit application:

  • A completed Building Permit application form with an estimate of the contract value
  • Three sets of signed, collated, scaled and sealed construction plans prepared in accordance with the requirements of the BC Building Code plus additional information as may be reasonably requested by the authority having jurisdiction
  • Completed Schedules A, and B from the BC Building Code for projects requiring the services of a registered professional,
  • A cheque, money order or internal requisition for the amount of the Building Permit application fee in accordance with Building Permit Fee Schedule in the Building Permit Application Form.

Upon Approval, Campus + Community Planning will contact the applicant as shown in the application form when the Building Permit is available for pick-up.

Expiration

Unless construction has begun, a Building Permit expires 12 months from the date it is issued. Campus and Community Planning may grant an extension not exceeding 12 months if a request is sent in writing to the Chief Building Official at least 15 days before the permit expires.

Application Process

Download the Building Permit Application Form 

See more Reference Materials

Please submit the completed Application Form and relevant Building Permit Application Checklist to Campus and Community Planning. Please sign and return the Terms and Conditions with the Building Permit Application Form.

Building Permit applications and any applicable fees must be submitted to the Permits + Inspections unit of Campus and Community Planning. Building Permit fees are payable in accordance with the Schedule of Fees in effect, as listed in the Building Permit Application Form and UBC Development and Building Regulations, at the time of a permit application.

The following process is relevant for Major Projects that have a construction value of $5 million and greater, excluding UBC Renew.

Step 1: Building Permit Application

Based upon certified professional procedures (Architectural Institute of British Columbia & Engineers & Geoscientists of British Columbia) often phased as; 1) excavation & shoring, 2) foundation to grade, and 3) full Building Permit.

  • Confirm documentation received
  • Must conform to approved Development Permit plans
  • Confirm fee payments (BP/IICs/CACs/GVS&DD DCCs; record drawing deposit)
  • Review by Coordinating Code Consultants (CCCs) for compliance with current BC Building Code requirements (collation of assurance schedules and review of documents)
  • Circulate to relevant departments/agencies
  • CCCs identify Code non-compliance issues for applicants to resolve
  • Recommendation from Coordinating Code Consultants to issue permit

Step 2: Chief Building Official Issues Building Permit

  • Notice of other permit requirements (UBC Plumbing and Sprinkler Permits/ Provincial Electrical/Gas/Elevators etc.)

Step 3: Monitoring and Field Reviews

  • CCC and others as required, attend site to verify code compliance
  • Monthly meetings with C&CP/CCCs/UBC Properties Trust (UBCPT)
  • For institutional projects, Project Manager (UBCPT or Project Services) completes survey of below-grade infrastructure, organizes site visit with UBC Utilities for review, and submits “as-built” survey for Infrastructure component

Step 4: Occupancy Permit Application

  • CCC receives and reviews documentation from applicant including:
    • DP compliance checklist
    • Final inspection of Plumbing and Sprinkler Permits
    • Certification of Electrical/Gas/Elevator etc permits

Step 5: Life-Safety Demonstration

  • Onsite coordination of contractors/subcontractors/CCC/Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services to witness operation of life-safety systems (fire detection/suppression, exiting etc)

Step 6: CCC Recommendation for Occupancy

  • Documentation assembled including final letters of assurance from and registered professional of record.
  • Meeting between C&CP and CCC to confirm documentation

Step 7: Chief Building Official Issues Occupancy Permit