Building Department

The District of Sechelt Building Department ensures that new construction and renovations meet the requirements of the BC Building Code.

Building Permit General Information
Building permits are required for all new construction, (exterior) additions, decks, pools, chimneys, house moves, temporary buildings/structures, demolitions, interior finishing, renovations and accessory buildings. Finishing or refinishing on houses, i.e. painting, wallpaper, paneling, trim work, etc. do not require permits. An accessory building, with less than 10 sq. metres (100 sq. ft.) in floor area, may not require a building permit, but a plan should be submitted showing its site location.

A building permit must be obtained prior to issuance of any electrical, plumbing or gas permits that may be required to complete construction.

Electrical, Plumbing and Gas Permits (Electrical Safety Inspector - (604) 885-5616/Government Agent (604) 885-5187) will only be issued to contractors who are licensed in the trade. An exception will be made for an owner of a single-family dwelling who plans to do the work, provided that a homeowner declaration stating that they will be doing the work, is made at the permit application stage.

Engineering Approvals Applications for storm and/or sanitary sewer connections are obtained from the Engineering Department. At the time of application, you should confirm that the connection inverts are low enough to accommodate the following:

• the foundation drain system for connection to the storm sewer; and
• the building drain invert for connection to the sanitary sewer.

If the subsurface drainage system is installed at an elevation where pumping is necessary, please refer to the information bulletin on the "Storm Sump Pump".

Temporary Power Pole Permit (Electrical Safety Inspector - (604) 885-5616) - A permit to install a temporary power pole must be obtained from the Electrical Inspection Division. The power pole location must be confirmed with B.C. Hydro as soon as possible. A temporary electrical service may be installed for construction purposes after a permit has been issued. Once the service pole and panel have been inspected and approved by an electrical inspector, the inspector will notify B.C. Hydro that it is safe to be connected.

General Information
Water Service Connection (SCRD (604) 885-2261) - The Infrastructure Department must be consulted if a new water service is needed.

Temporary Hydro Connection (BC Hydro -(604) 885-2211/ Electrical Safety Inspector - (604) 885-5616) - Electrical connection to a building may be obtained prior to completion of construction.

Letters of Assurance – All single family dwellings (regardless of size) and all accessory buildings over 55 sq m require the foundation design to be sealed by a professional engineer for structural and geotechnical aspects.

The following forms must be signed and sealed by the Registered Professional (RP);

• Schedule B1 Assurance of Professional Field Review and Compliance by RP, to be submitted with permit application.
  
• Schedule B2 Summary of Design and Field Review Requirements by RP, to be submitted with permit application.
  
• Schedule C Assurance of Professional Field Review & Compliance by RP, to be submitted after project completion.
• Schedule D Owners Undertakings