Frequently Asked Questions

• Building Permit
• Demolition Permit
• Gas Permit
• Plumbing Permit
• Site Service Permit
• Sprinkler Permit
• Tree Permit

Permits are required to:

• Construct a new building.
  
• Add to an existing building.
  
• Alter, renovate or repair existing buildings or structures.
  
• Repair fire damaged buildings or structures.
  
• Complete an unfinished area in an existing building; eg: basement, recreation room.
  
• Move a building from one location to another.
  
• Demolish or relocate buildings on the same lot.
  
• Do trades work such as modification or installation of plumbing, gas, propane, oil burner, and electrical.
  
• Install or alter a sewage disposal system.
  
• Install or alter sanitary, storm sewers and drainage.
  
• Construct swimming pools with a surface area exceeding 15 square metres(161.5 square feet), and a depth exceeding 1 metre (3.28 feet).
  
• Construct retaining walls greater than 1 metre (3.28 feet) in height.
  
• Install a chimney for a wood burning appliance.
  
• To cut down or remove trees on the property.

To apply for a Building Permit, you must submit a completed permit application along with all required supporting documents and a plan processing fee. A complete application may be submitted at the Permits Counter in City Hall.

For more information, view How to apply for a permit by email (PL-59).

To determine the fees associated with your permit application, refer to the City Bylaws, Chapter 5 - Finance and Budgets - Consolidated Fees - Bylaw 8636.

Fees can be paid by credit card, debit or cheque made payable to the City of Richmond.

All balances owing for a building permit must be paid at the time of Building Permit issuance. Building Permits are issued at the Permits Counter in City Hall.

Note: The Plan Processing fee will be credited to the fees for the Building Permit at the time of permit issuance. The Plan Processing fee is non-refundable and is forfeited if the permit application is cancelled or if a permit is not picked up within 30 days of being notified that the permit is ready to be issued.

This online system will allow you to view the status of your application. Once the application is accepted, you will receive your folder number via email.

View status of application

Contact the Building Approvals Department by emailing building@richmond.ca or visit the Permits Counter at City Hall.

Refer to the City Bylaws, Chapter 4 - Regulations - Building Regulation Bylaw 7230 - Part Five.

Refer to Bulletin Building-31: Permit Expiry and Extension for further information.

Note: Once a Building Permit has expired it cannot be restored. In order to proceed with construction, a new building permit application, along with all corresponding fees and supporting documents, must be submitted.

A Registered Professional such as an Architect or Engineer is not required to be the applicant of a Building Permit application. However it is recommended for first time builders to rely on the consultation of Registered Professionals to submit their Building Permit application.

The Building Approvals department does not provide building design or code solutions services and primarily reviews plans that have been designed by external professionals. The expertise of registered professionals may reduce the number of revisions required, saves time and additional revision costs for the building owner as well as ensures the safety of the structure.

Under some situations, Richmond does require the involvement of registered professionals as outlined in the City Bylaws, Chapter 4 - Regulations - Building Regulation Bylaw 7230 - Part Five or other Provincial Regulations.

The Plan Processing fee is forfeited to the City if the Building Permit has not been paid for within 30 days of notification that the Building Permit is ready for issuance. Refer to the City Bylaws, Chapter 4 - Regulations - Building Regulation Bylaw 7230 - Part Five.

One accessory building with a floor area less than 10 square metres (107.6 square feet) does not require a permit, unless it contains operating mechanical equipment. However, the location must conform to the Zoning Bylaw.

Permits are not required for minor modifications such as landscaping, including patios and decks less than 600 mm (2.0 feet) above grade.

See Bulletin Permits-10 Automatic Fire Sprinkler Permits for information pertaining to sprinkler permits.

City follows the minimum standards and guidelines set in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 13) for the installation and spacing of sprinkler heads.

A sprinkler permit application must be submitted with an Interior Finishing, Alterations Plan Review Application - Commercial, Industrial, Multi-Family, Assembly Projects (PL-25b).

Use the Richmond Interactive Map (RIM) to look up the zoning and other information for any property in Richmond. You can search by address or other property identifiers. The property will be highlighted in the map and property details will display, as well as a link to the appropriate section of the Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500.

Development cost charges (DCCs) are collected by the City from land developers to cover the costs related to the increased demand on City services and infrastructure as a result of a new development. DCCs are applied as one-time charges against residential, commercial, industrial and institutional developments.

Please refer to the Development Cost Charges Imposition Bylaw No. 9499 for current rates and to determine if they apply to your project. For more information, contact the Development Applications Department at 604-276-4017.

Each inspection is scheduled for the next business day if scheduled prior to 8:00 p.m. Every effort will be made to do inspections for the day scheduled. Because of differences in the time spent at each site, it is not possible to guarantee requests for a.m. or p.m. In periods of high volumes of inspection requests, additional delays may be encountered.

Inspectors are available between 8:15 - 9:00am or between 4:15 - 5:00pm at the Permit Centre counter at City Hall or by phone. Refer to your permit for the Inspectors name and phone number.

The cut-off time to cancel an inspection is 7:00am.

Inspections for Building, Demolition, Gas, Plumbing, Sprinkler, or Site Service can be requested online.

At each phase of construction, various inspections are required to ensure the construction is in compliance with codes and regulations and according to the plans approved by the City.

A complete list of required inspections is provided to applicants at the time of building permit issuance. To view information on inspections, refer to the Inspections Required brochure.

Because of differences in the time spent at each site, it is not possible to guarantee time requests. In periods of high volumes of inspection requests, additional delays may be encountered.

Inspectors office hours are between 8:15 - 9:00am or 4:15 - 5:00pm For an estimated time of arrival, please contact the inspector by phone the day of your inspection between 8:15 - 9:00am Refer to your permit for the Inspectors name and phone number.

You are required to have services (water, sanitary, and storm) connected to your property. To confirm existing services, during business hours contact the Public Works Service Centre at 604-244-1262.

Once your building permit application is submitted, if your property is not pre-serviced appropriately, you will be required to pay a fee to initiate the installation of service connections to your property line. If existing services are insufficient for the proposed construction, staff will determine any additional upgrades and costs prior to the commencement of work.

If you have questions or concerns regarding the construction and/or design of a building please call 604-276-4118 or report your concern using the Customer Feedback Form or email building@richmond.ca.