The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Building Bylaw sets out the rules and regulations for issuing permits for construction in Electoral Area A, B, C or D. Please consult the bylaw and contact the Building Department prior to beginning any work on a building or structure.
Section 8.0 Application for Permit, states:
8.1 Every person shall apply for and obtain a permit before:
8.1.1 constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure;
8.1.2 moving a building or structure;
8.1.3 demolishing a building or structure;
8.1.4 constructing, or installing a solid fuel burning appliance, fireplace or chimney;
8.1.5 installing or altering a plumbing system, but not including the emergency repair of a plumbing system;
8.1.6 installing a fire sprinkler system;
8.1.7 constructing a retaining structure greater than 1.2m in height;
8.1.8 changing the use and occupancy of a building.
The following projects would NOT require a building permit. However, please note: a project that is exempt from the building permit process is not exempt from Zoning regulations, or from any other bylaw or act regarding health and safety. BC Building Code standards and zoning setbacks will need to be met even when a permit is not required.
Projects which would NOT require a building permit include:
- Recovering existing roofs;
- Residing exterior walls;
- Repainting;
- Replacing existing bathroom, kitchen or laundry fixtures and fittings, in the same location;
- Recovering existing floors;
- Replacing windows and doors in existing openings;
- Installation of a well;
- A retaining wall or structure less than 1.2 metres above the finished grade
Projects which would NOT require a building permit but may be subject to zoning requirements include:
- A new detached accessory building or structure which is NOT to be used for residential occupancy and has a floor area that is less than 10 sq. metres.
- A farm building as defined in the Building Bylaw: means a building less than 600 m2 in building area, when situated on land classified as a “farm” under the Assessment Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 20 (the “Assessment Act”), as amended, and:
- Does not contain a residential occupancy,
- Does not include covered riding arenas, building which may be used for assembly occupancies, or buildings for medical marihuana production facilities, and
- Is used essentially for:
- Housing farm equipment or livestock,
- Production, storage or processing of agricultural and horticultural products,
- A workshop for the repair of farm equipment, or
- A greenhouse or silo.
If you have any questions, please contact the Building Department by phoning (604) 894-6371 or 1-800-298-7753, extension 222.
The SLRD's building bylaw does not provide specific guidelines for seasonal and intermittent buildings.
These are satisfactorily addressed in the British Columbia Building Code. As per the British Columbia Building Code, separate requirements are not provided for seasonally or intermittently occupied buildings. Various requirements in Part 9 of the British Columbia Building Code recognize that leniency may be appropriate in some circumstances. Please see Part 9 of the British Columbia Building Code for its applicability to seasonally and intermittently occupied buildings.
We now accept agents to sign on behalf of the property owner(s) upon receipt of Appendix B - Letter of Authorization [PDF/206KB] (Note: Letters must have original signatures and be signed by all property owners listed on the title).
Hazard risks must be reviewed as part of the building permit process.
For more information, visit Natural Hazards Policy and Procedures No. 7.5 [PDF/30KB] or Hazard Risks Overview [PDF/40KB].
When applying for a building permit, the following is always required:
- Completed building permit application signed by all property owners;
- Appendix C signed by all owners;
- Building permit application processing fee of $2000 (single family dwelling and applications with a construction value in excess of $200,000.00) or $500 (all other applications) plus a Title Search Fee of $30 (non-refundable);
- Construction drawings, including: site plan, foundation plan, floor plans, elevations and cross-section. Other documents may be required once the application is under review.
Building Permit Applications can be submitted by the registered property owner wishing to start construction.
We now accept agents to sign on behalf of the property owner(s) upon receipt of Appendix B - Letter of Authorization [PDF/206KB]. Letters must have original signatures and be signed by all property owners listed on the title.
Once an application is submitted, it is reviewed for compliance with the BC Building Code, Zoning Bylaws, plus other acts and bylaws that may affect health and safety. Depending on application volumes and seasonal fluctuations, it usually takes 12-14 weeks for the initial review of a building permit application. Once issued, building permits are valid for three years. Permits are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you are planning to build more than one structure, i.e., detached garage, auxiliary building, etc., each structure will require a building permit application, associated application fee and required documents.
You will require a Coordinating Registered Professional (CRP) when using more than two engineers. Your CRP must submit an original Schedule A and initial all other engineers' original Schedule B's and C-B's at the bottom right-hand corner.
As of May 1, 2023, the B.C. Building Code requires 20%-better energy efficiency for most new buildings in B.C. This is equivalent to Step 3 for Part 9 buildings and Step 2 for Part 3 buildings.
For all commercial construction and cannabis production facilities, please get in touch with BC Hydro for power availability before submitting a building permit application.