Here is a list of common renovation, maintenance, or construction situations you may face, and the permit(s) you may need for them.

The City is here to help

For information specific to the proposed project on your property, call the Development and Building Services centre at 604-873-7611. Our staff will help you determine which permits you need, and help you navigate through the process, so you can speak to your contractor with confidence.

You need a building permit and at least one trade permit for

• Moving interior walls and partitions
• Moving existing plumbing, electrical or gas lines
• Installing new plumbing, electrical or gas lines
• Making structural repairs, doing renovations, or building additions that are permitted outright (specifically allowed) by your district zoning schedule
• Building an accessory building (garage, carport, garden shed etc.) that is permitted outright (specifically allowed) by your district zoning schedule

You may need a development permit if the building or use is a designated heritage building or site, or is located in the Chinatown, Yaletown or Gastown Historic Areas.

You need a development permit, a building permit, and at least one trade permit for

• Building a new home
• Installing a residential suite
• Making structural repairs, doing renovations, or building additions that are permitted conditionally (may be allowed) by your district zoning schedule
• Building an accessory building (garage, carport, garden shed etc.) that is permitted conditionally (may be allowed)  by your district zoning schedule

Simpler projects may qualify for a combined development-building permit.

You need a trades permit for

• Any work on a fire sprinkler system
• Any work on a gas system
• Most work on an electrical system
• Most work on a plumbing system

Vancouver Council and staff are always working to make the City's homes and buildings safer, healthier, and more accessible for all residents.

We work with other departments, levels of government, professional associations, and the public to:

• Reduce the carbon footprint created by Vancouver's homes
• Reduce the waste generated through building and renovating
• Enhance the safety and comfort of all residents, through inspections, permits, and regulations
• Enable improved design, construction, and operation of buildings
• Review alternate solutions to requirements in the City's building code

The City's planners are here to help with your rezoning application.

We suggest you go through the following enquiry and pre-application process with our planners before you submit your rezoning application.

During this process, you will receive guidance and advice that will save you time and money, and prevent you from submitting a rezoning application that could potentially be refused.

Here are the fours steps we recommend you follow to make your rezoning application go as smoothly as possible:

1. Contact the rezoning centre to initiate an enquiry
2. Submit a written enquiry to planning staff
3. Attend a pre-application meeting with planning staff
4. Submit your application for rezoning 

Step 1: Contact the Rezoning Centre 

To begin rezoning your property, visit or call the City's Rezoning Centre.

Planning staff will research the property you want to rezone, and explain all of the policies, guidelines, and plans that affect its use and development.

Staff will also tell you if they think your request for rezoning might be considered and supported, and identify any issues you will need to consider or address during the application process.

Step 2: Submit a written enquiry

If planning staff feel your rezoning proposal has a community or city-wide benefit - and that council may support it - they will ask you to submit a written enquiry to the Director of Planning.

To help you prepare your written enquiry, staff will give you a list of specific information you should include.

You can expect a response to your written enquiry in about 6-8 weeks.

Step 3: Attend a pre-application meeting

Based on whether or not you receive a positive response to your enquiry, you can decide if you want to submit a rezoning application.

If you do want to proceed with your application, we recommend you book a pre-application meeting with a rezoning planner. 

At your pre-application meeting, rezoning planners will:

• Review the list of application requirements for your proposal
• Suggest meetings with other staff who can help identify issues or refine the scope of your proposal
• Suggest that you consult with neighbours about your proposal before submitting your application

Step 4: Submit your application for rezoning

Once all of your rezoning application material is ready, you will need to meet again with the rezoning planner to submit your application. 

Only complete applications that include all the required documentation discussed during pre-application will be accepted. 

The rezoning application fee is due in full when you submit your application.

Vancouver Council and staff are always working to make the City's homes and buildings safer, healthier, and more accessible for all residents.

We work with other departments, levels of government, professional associations, and the public to:

• Reduce the carbon footprint created by Vancouver's homes
• Reduce the waste generated through building and renovating
• Enhance the safety and comfort of all residents, through inspections, permits, and regulations
• Enable improved design, construction, and operation of buildings
• Review alternate solutions to requirements in the City's building code