Building and Plumbing Permits
General Information
Building permits are required before you build, demolish, repair or alter most buildings, decks, retaining walls, garages, carports, and secondary suites. Plumbing permits are required for the alteration of commercial and residential plumbing as well as for the installation of fire supression and irrigation systems.
On July 16, 2018, the City of Courtenay will no longer require separate plumbing permits for projects that have an associated building permit application. The building permit application includes plumbing information, such as number of fixtures and plumbing contractor information, and the plumbing portion of any works will be included in the building permit itself. If you are applying for a stand-alone plumbing permit, please note that the application form for plumbing permits is the same as the building permit. All incoming plumbing permits must be accompanied by a fixture schematic.
Building Permit Application Requirements
- Requirements for Permit Applications for Standard Buildings and Structures [PDF - 132 KB]
- Requirements for Permit Applications for Complex Buildings and Structures [PDF - 145 KB]
- Energy Step Code Bulletin [PDF - 110 KB]
Geodetic Elevations on Site Plans
In accordance with the City of Courtenay's Building Bylaw No. 3001, 2020 for all new building permit applications relating to standard buildings (new residential, new commercial, etc). All submitted site plans should include the final proposed elevations at the four main corners of the building. This will allow City Staff to ensure that the plans comply with the development's lot grading plan.
Retaining Walls
For properties that require retaining walls, grade heights on either side of the walls shall be included for reference. For any retaining wall exceeding 1.2 meters in height must be accompanied by an engineer's sealed drawings and schedules.
Retaining walls must also comply with the City's Subdivision and Development Bylaw No. 2919:
Section 5.22 Retaining walls: Retaining wall shall be a maximum of 2.4 meters in height. Where larger retaining wall heights are required, they must be constructed as a stepped wall. The step must have a minimum width of 1.8 meters or 75% of the height of the highest adjacent wall.
Application Forms and Fees:
- Building Permit Application Form [PDF - 1 MB]
- Owner's Undertaking [PDF - 77 KB]
- 2020 Damage to Infrastructure Agreement [PDF - 1 MB]
- Permit Application Fees [PDF - 303 KB]
You must include both the "Owner's Undertaking" and the "2020 Damage to Infrastructure" agreements with your application form and permit submissions.
*Note: staff will calculate permit fees and any other associated costs due upon issuance of Permits
Information Handouts
The following handouts have been created to help understand the plans and attachments required for submission when making permit applications:
- Building Location Surveys [PDF - 131 KB]
- Building Move Information [PDF - 182 KB]
- Glass Guard Bulletin - 2018.pdf [PDF - 119 KB]
- Guide to Residential Deck Construction [PDF - 336 KB]
- House Move Handout [PDF - 79 KB]
- Partial Building Permit Bulletin [PDF - 157 KB]
- Party Wall Fire Separation [PDF - 333 KB]
- Required Inspections [PDF - 110 KB]
- Secondary Suites [PDF - 2.2 MB]
Example Drawings
- Accessory Buildings and Structures [PDF - 1.3 MB]
- Commercial Tenant Alterations/Improvements [PDF - 302 KB]
- Garage Conversion [PDF - 529 KB]