Renovation Permit Checklist Vancouver: What Documents You Need (2026)
Getting your renovation permit application right the first time avoids resubmission delays and keeps your project on schedule. Here’s exactly what the City of Vancouver requires for each type of renovation.
General Requirements (All Residential Building Permits)
- Completed Building Permit Application form (available at Vancouver Permit Centre or online at vancouver.ca)
- Letter of authorization if applying as contractor (owner must authorize contractor to apply)
- Civic address and legal description of property
- Site plan showing property lines, existing structures, and any proposed additions (to scale)
- Description of work with materials and finishes
- Estimated value of construction
- Owner/agent contact information
Kitchen or Bathroom Renovation (No Structural Changes)
- General requirements above
- Floor plan showing existing and proposed layout (hand-drawn acceptable for simple renovations)
- Electrical permit application (if upgrading circuits or adding outlets) — submitted to Technical Safety BC separately
- Plumbing permit (if relocating fixtures or adding new plumbing) — often included with building permit
- Typical timeline: 2–4 weeks for simple kitchen/bath reno
- Typical permit cost: $500–$2,000 based on construction value
Basement Suite (Secondary Suite)
- General requirements above
- Floor plans (existing and proposed) drawn to scale — must show suite layout, egress windows, smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire separations
- Proof of lot zoning that permits secondary suite (most RS-1 lots in Vancouver now permit one suite)
- Egress window specification (minimum opening size per BC Building Code: 0.35m² with minimum 380mm height and 380mm width)
- Plumbing permit for kitchen and bathroom rough-in
- Electrical permit for suite electrical (separate meter or sub-panel)
- Heat source documentation (suite must have independent heat source)
- Typical timeline: 6–12 weeks
- Typical permit cost: $1,500–$5,000
Home Addition
- General requirements above
- Site plan to scale showing setbacks from all property lines
- Architectural drawings — floor plan, elevations, sections (must be prepared by a registered architect or designer for additions over 500 sq ft)
- Structural drawings (engineer-stamped) if adding second storey or modifying structural system
- Energy compliance form (Part 9 house — prescriptive or performance path)
- Zoning confirmation (setbacks, lot coverage, FSR compliance)
- Typical timeline: 8–16 weeks
- Typical permit cost: $3,000–$12,000
Laneway Home
- All home addition requirements above
- Architect-drawn plans (laneway homes require full architectural drawings)
- Engineer-stamped structural drawings
- Proof of off-street parking compliance (one on-site parking space must be retained)
- Lane access and utility connection plan
- New Home Warranty enrolment (BC HPO — required for all new residential units)
- Typical timeline: 10–18 weeks
- Typical permit cost: $8,000–$18,000
VGC handles all permit applications, drawings, and engineering coordination on your behalf. Contact us to get started → | Current permit wait times →
→ See also: Vancouver Renovation Planning Guide
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