A Building Permit is required to protect the safety and interests of individuals and communities in the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District. By reviewing and approving building plans before any work is done, the SLRD strives to ensure that buildings comply with:
- The Building Code, which sets minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings to meet objectives such as health, safety, fire protection, accessibility and resource conservation;
- Zoning bylaws and other planning controls on buildings; and
- Other applicable legislation, including conservation authority approvals and certain requirements under the Environmental Protection Act
The SLRD Building Bylaw sets out the rules and regulations for issuing permits to build in Electoral Area A, B, C or D. Building Permits are valid for three years.
A Guide to Building Permits - Why and when do I need a building permit?
For additional resources, visit our Development Application Forms and Guides website.
Apply for a Building Permit
The SLRD uses an online system, Cloudpermit, for building permits and inspection requests. Cloudpermit allows you to apply for and see the status of your permit application anywhere, at any time.
Applications can be started, saved and completed at a later date, and once submitted, you will receive email updates on the status of your application. Records of permit documents will be retained under your online profile for future reference.
Before applying for a building permit or inspection, please read through the information provided on Forms & Information page.
Once registered and/or logged in, you’ll receive a guide and checklist for submitting an application.
To apply for a building permit, you’ll need:
- Project name
- Project address
- Work type (residential, farm, industrial, commercial, or institutional)
- Work target - type of build (example: new build, addition, demolition, pool, etc.)
- Contact information (property owners or authorized agents associated with the project)
- Required documents associated with the project (site plans, structural drawings, construction drawings, etc.)
If you cannot complete the electronic submission process, or have any questions regarding documentation requirements, you can use the messaging function in Cloudpermit to contact the SLRD Building Department team, or email: bldgofficial@slrd.bc.ca
Important information to know when applying for a building permit
- Credit card payments are now accepted through Cloudpermit (a 2.75% convenience fee will be added to your charge). Pay in person at the office (1350 Aster Street, Pemberton) by cash, cheque or draft. You may also mail us a cheque or draft to SLRD, Attn. Bldg Dept., PO Box 219, Pemberton, BC, V0N 2L0 (please do not mail cash). Please contact us through your Cloudpermit messaging or at bldgofficial@slrd.bc.ca to inquire about electronic payments.
- Please be advised depending on application volumes and seasonal fluctuations; it takes 12-14 weeks for the initial review of a building permit application. Permit applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and additional documents may be required after the plan review.
- Building Permit Applications will only be accepted when the property owner wishing to start construction is the registered owner of the property.
- If you are applying to build more than one structure, i.e., detached garage, auxiliary building, etc., each structure will require an application and an application fee.
- We now accept agents to sign on behalf of the property owner(s) upon receipt of Appendix B - Letter of Authorization (Note: Letters must have original signatures and be signed by all property owners listed on the title unless using the Cloudpermit online application system.
- Engineer Schedules must be wet-seal documents. Schedules (LOAs) will be accepted electronically if sent by Notarius software digital seal. Appendix D and Engineered Field Reviews may also be sent electronically.
- When using more than two registered professionals, you will require a Coordinating Registered Professional (CRP). Your CRP must submit an original (unless sent electronically by Notarius software with a digital seal/initial) Schedule A and initial all other engineers' original Schedule Bs and C-Bs at the bottom right-hand corner.
- For all commercial construction and cannabis production facilities, please get in touch with BC Hydro for power availability before submitting a building permit application.
- Hazard risks must be reviewed as part of the building permit process. For more information, visit Natural Hazards Policy and Procedures No. 7.5 or Hazard Risks Overview.
- At the discretion of the Building Official, you may be required to submit a Site Disclosure Statement as per the Provincial Contaminated Sites Regulation.
- Bylaw 879, 2003 – requires installation of fire sprinklers for new single family dwellings in Furry Creek, dwellings over 250 m² located in the Pemberton North Water Service Area and all dwellings in the Wedge Woods subdivision
- For septic systems a Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioner (ROWP) or engineer must design the system and submit it to the local Health Authority (Vancouver Coastal Health / Interior Health). A copy of the design and the stamped application from the local Health Authority (VCA/IH) is required before permit issuance. Once constructed, a Letter of Certification from the local Health Authority will be needed for the final inspection.
- Highway access permits are required in Areas A & B on numbered highways and in Areas C & D on Highway #99, Pemberton Meadows Road, Pemberton Portage Road and Upper Squamish Valley Road
- No person is to make changes to a dike, or to the area adjacent to a dike without prior written approval of the Inspector of Dikes or a Deputy Inspector
- All construction in Wedgewoods requires a letter of approval for compliance with the Wedgewoods building scheme from the Approving Officer.
- Building Bylaw No. 1611-2020, Section 10.8 (a) $2,500.00 Security deposit for simple building construction located in Furry Creek, Britannia Beach, Pemberton North Water System, Devine Water System and Bralorne. Reimbursed once the final inspection has been completed and no damage has occurred to Regional District works.
- Building Bylaw No. 1611-2020, Section 10.8 (b) $10,000.00 Security deposit for complex building construction located in Furry Creek, Britannia Beach, Pemberton North Water System, Devine Water System and Bralorne. Reimbursed once the final inspection has been completed and no damage has occurred to Regional District works.
As a courtesy to your neighbours, construction should only occur within the hours specified under the relevant Noise Bylaw.