Other Applications and Approvals

A building permit is required to construct a new building or accessory building on a property; to renovate or alter an existing building; make improvements to a lot; or to move a building. Examples include: 

• Add, alter, renovate, or repair an existing building or structure
• Repair damaged buildings or structures (eg. Fire)
• Complete an unfinished area within an existing building
• Move, demolish, or relocate buildings on the same lot or another lot
• Complete trades work (eg. plumbing, gas, propane, mechanical, electrical, tree removal)
• Install or alter building systems (eg. sewers, sanitary and drainage)
• Construct a swimming pool
• Installing solar panels
• Alter, add, repair, renovate a lot (eg. Retaining walls, patios and decks more than 2ft above grade)

Building permits are not required for minor modifications to a structure or lot or finishing works. While a building permit may not be required, homeowners are responsible for ensuring that the work conforms to the requirements of the BC Building Code and the Zoning Bylaw. Examples include: 

• Installing, painting, repairing cupboards and counter tops
• Installing partial height room dividers
• Painting walls, ceilings and installing flooring
• Painting or repairing the exterior of a building (eg. siding or stucco)
• Installing, replacing or repairing roofing
• Landscaping and planters, including patios and decks (less than 2ft above grade)
• Installing or repairing fences (must comply with Zoning Bylaw) 

A Development Permit is required if any of the following apply to your project: 

• Intensive residential areas where small-scale multi-unit housing development is permitted and involves the following scenarios:
  • A building greater than one storey or 5.0 m (16.4 ft) in height that is located, in whole or in part, within 6.0 m (19.7 ft) of a rear lot line
  • Land along arterial roads within the Arterial Road Land Use Policy Area, excluding development of a lot with only one or two dwelling units, where one dwelling unit is a secondary suite
  • Review Planning 09 – Small Scale Multi Unit Housing
• Intensive residential areas where granny flats and coach houses are permitted
• Intensive residential areas where duplexes and triplexes are permitted along arterial roads within the Arterial Road Land Use Policy Area
• All multiple family sites throughout Richmond
• All commercial sites throughout Richmond
• All mixed-use developments throughout the City
• The entire City Centre Area Plan
• All industrial sites in the City Centre Area Plan (CCAP) and those industrial sites adjoining or within 30 m (98.4 ft) to another site which is zoned or designated for residential, community institutional, park, school, conservation area, or mixed use
• Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA)
• All marinas
• All sites abutting to the edge of the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR)
• All industrial sites with two or more storeys that have exterior vehicular access to upper storeys 

Applicants are encouraged to consult with staff prior to making their development application to ensure they are aware of pertinent criteria, exemptions, and other requirements.  

To request an appointment with staff assigned to the geographic area in which your site is located, please email DevApps@richmond.ca and provide the address(es) of the subject site. 

You do not need to proceed with a Development Permit Application if your project involves any of the following scenarios: 

• Repair of buildings where a signed and sealed letter from a registered professional engineer identifies that such repair to the building’s exterior envelope is required due to water ingress and where the repair works are comparable to the building’s existing materials, colours, and general form and character
• Renovations to interiors of buildings, except for:
  • renovations to a Neighbourhood Public House, which are only exempt if the interior renovations are less than $5,000.
• Exterior renovations that cost less than $150,000, except for:
  • Exterior renovations to a Neighbourhood Public House, which are only exempt if the exterior renovations cost less than $5,000;
  • Exterior renovations in a Development Permit Area in the Steveston Area Plan, which are only exempt if the exterior renovations cost less than $50,000;
  • Any exterior renovations in the Steveston Village Heritage Conservation Area.  Additional permits or a different type of permit (e.g., Heritage Alteration Permit) may also be required depending on the proposed scope of work.
• New buildings or building additions of 100 m2 (1,076.4 ft2) or less, excluding development involving small-scale multi-unit housing
• New ancillary buildings or building additions in rear or interior side yards that conform to minimum setback requirements and do not exceed a height of 12 m (39.4 ft), nor contain more than three storeys
• Exterior renovations of all buildings, exterior changes to all buildings or land, new buildings or building additions, new ancillary buildings on protected heritage property subject to a Heritage Alteration Permit or subject to a Heritage Revitalization Agreement. 

For a complete list of Development Permit exemptions and requirements, refer to Section 14 of the Official Community Plan (Schedule 1) and the individual Area Plans (Schedule 2). 

Before you decide to construct a new building on a property, subdivide or change the use or density of land, you should always check the zoning for that property. If the existing zoning does not permit the proposed changes, the property owner (or agent of the property owner) will have to apply to the City to see if the zoning of that property can be changed. In some cases, a Rezoning Application may also require Subdivision and/or Development Permit approval. You should determine this at the outset of your application.  

The Official Community Plan (Schedule 1) and Area Plans (Schedule 2) may influence whether or not your property can be rezoned. These plans and other information are available for viewing online or at the Zoning counter in City Hall.  

Applicants are encouraged to consult with staff prior to making their rezoning application to ensure they are aware of pertinent criteria, exemptions, and other requirements.

To request an appointment with staff assigned to the geographic area in which your site is located, please email DevApps@richmond.ca and provide the address(es) of the subject site. 

A Heritage Alteration Permit is required before you make alterations to a protected heritage property.

The City’s Official Community Plan designates Steveston Village as a Heritage Conservation Area, and identifies protected heritage properties within the Steveston Village Heritage Conservation Area (SVHCA). Exterior changes to the protected properties within the SVHCA are subject to the City’s Heritage Alteration Permit Requirements.

Also, in the SVHCA, signs, awnings, exterior painting, patios, and subdivision with no associated development application on all properties (protected or non-protected) would be subject to the Heritage Alteration Permit requirement.  

In addition to the SVHCA, the City of Richmond also formally protects specific heritage properties through bylaws, agreements, and covenants. To preserve their heritage value, any exterior changes to these properties requires a Heritage Alteration Permit before making alterations.

Typically interior repair, maintenance, or renovation that has no impact on exterior architectural form, building material or character are exempt.

See Planning 10 for a complete list of protected heritage properties and HAP exemptions or visit Steveston Village Heritage Conservation Program for more information.

Architectural Institute of BC
In some scenarios, applicants may be required to retain an architect or building code consultant to review the existing building for any necessary upgrades as per the Architects Regulation Act.  

• If you feel an Architect should not be required, contact AIBC at practiceadvice@aibc.ca and receive confirmation.
• If you do receive confirmation that one is not required, provide a copy of the email correspondence with your in-person application or in the Architectural Drawing or Other file upload slot when applying for your building permit online. 

Questions? Reach out to Architectural Institute of BC. 

Electrical Permits
All requests for electrical work including installation, and modification are the responsibility of Technical Safety BC.   

Questions? Reach out to Technical Safety BC through their online form or by phone.  

BC Hydro
BC Hydro connection review may be required for your project if the electrical connection is greater than 400 Amps. To submit your BC Hydro Check, you can log directly into your account.  

For additional information visit: Design connections or Large Load Connections. 

Oil and Fuel Tanks
All above and below ground flammable or combustible fuel / oil tanks require a permit prior to installation or removal. Learn more at Richmond Fire Rescue - Permits. 

Questions? Reach out to Richmond Fire Rescue through their online form or by phone.  

Vancouver Coastal Health
Vancouver Coastal Health is responsible applications, reviews and inspections for the following topics: 

• Child Cafe Facilities
• Food Service Permits and Health Approvals
• Food Safety
• Sewerage Systems  

Questions? Reach out to Vancouver Coastal Health.

Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch
The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch oversees provincial liquor and cannabis regulations and regulates the licencing and permitting for establishments and events (eg restaurants, bars and pubs, liquor manufacturing, private liquor sales, catering, or special events) 

If you plan to sell liquor, you will need to secure a liquor licence. For more information, visit the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch.