It can be hard to know when you need a permit for your Vancouver home renovation. City permitting departments often give confusing or contradictory answers, leaving homeowners lost in the process. That is why we at Flipside Homes have put together a list of when you do, and do not, need permits for your Vancouver home renovation.
Keep in mind, the information below pertains to renovation permits in the City of Vancouver. Other cities in the area have their own permitting requirements. Check with your local building department, or your renovation project manager, to make sure you have accurate information.
When you do need a permit for your Vancouver home renovation?
There are three different permit situations you can find yourself in where you need permits for your Vancouver home renovation.
1. You need a trade permit
In this first situation, you need a trade permit and only a trade permit. What is a trade permit? These are permits granted to tradespeople to complete work in their field. Generally, the tradesperson must have a business in Vancouver in order to receive a permit.
Some of the trade permits available include plumbing permits, electrical permits, and natural gas permits.
When is a trade permit all you need? When you are working on:
- a plumbing system
- an electrical system
- a fire sprinkler system
- a gas system
2. You need at least one trade permit and a building permit
This second situation occurs when you need a building permit for the renovation, as well as all relevant trade permits. A building permit is essentially permission from the city to undertake your project.
When do you fall into this second situation? When you are:
- installing plumbing, gas, or electrical lines
- moving plumbing, gas, or electrical lines
- moving interior partitions or walls
- building a secondary structure, such as a shed or garage, that is allowed in your zoning area
- doing repairs or renovations that are allowed in your zoning area
- building additions that are allowed in your zoning area
If, however, you are engaging in these renovations in a designated heritage building or site or in Chinatown, Gastown, or Yaletown, you may fall into the third category.
3. You need at least one trade permit, a building permit, and a development permit
This situation is when you need a building permit and all relevant trade permits, as well as a development permit. A development permit is the most complicated permit to apply for. In addition to the situations listed above, it is needed to:
- build a new home
- build a secondary structure that may or may not be allowed in your zoning district
- doing repairs or renovations that may or may not be allowed in your zoning area
- building additions that may or may not be allowed in your zoning area
Project that are not overly complex may be able to receive combined development-building permits
When you do not need a permit for your Vancouver home renovation
If you are engaging in largely aesthetic changes, like painting, carpeting, and changing flooring, you do not require a permit for your Vancouver home renovation. Most roofing jobs, including adding gutters or drain pipes, also do not permits. If in doubt, call the city to double check or work with a professionals like Flipside Homes. We will handle all your permitting needs before beginning your Vancouver home renovation.
While arranging the appropriate permits for your Vancouver home renovation is vital, there is still the renovation itself to think of. Before engaging in any renovations, be sure to review these common Vancouver home renovation mistakes.
