Building Inspection Services

Building Inspection Services

Building Inspection Services

The goal of the Building Inspection Department is to ensure the health, safety and protection of persons and property by confirming that buildings and their systems generally conform to relevant bylaws, the BC Building Code and other applicable standards.

The Building Inspection Department administers Building Regulations Bylaw 1250 and through this bylaw, the BC Building Code and other regulations.

Approximate Current Building Permit Wait Time - 12 Weeks
Times fluctuate based on volume

New BC Building Code Coming March 8, 2024

The Province of B.C. has adopted the 2024 edition of the British Columbia Building Code, including Book II Plumbing Systems (BC Codes 2024).

The new BC Codes 2024 will come into effect on March 8, 2024, and will apply to all building permit submissions on or after that date. Buildings with permits in place, or applications deemed completed before March 8, 2024, will remain under the 2018 BC Building Code and will generally not be affected by adopting the new BC Codes.

Although the 2024 BC Building Code includes most of the 2020 National Building Code requirements, there are some BC-specific code changes. Further changes will come into effect in 2025.

BC-specific changes effective March 2024:

  • More complete and specific language for constructing extended rough-ins for radon subfloor depressurization systems.
  • Adopting cooling requirements to provide one living space that does not exceed 26 degrees Celsius.
  • Retaining existing ventilation requirements for systems serving single dwelling units.

 

For more information visit: BC Codes 2024 - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

To download a free copy of the BC Codes 2024, visit: BCBC 2024

Applications received prior to March 8, 2024, must be deemed complete to be accepted under the 2018 BC Building Code. If we have not received all required documentation for a complete application by March 7, 2024, you will be required to meet the 2024 BC Building Code requirements.

Energy Step Code Requirements

As of May 1, 2023, compliance with Step 3 of the BC Energy Step Code is required for all new Part 9 residential construction and substantially reconstructed homes as mandated by the Province of British Columbia and the BC Building Code. In alignment with this, all new building permit applications from May 1, 2023, onwards must meet the Energy Step Code and include a Pre-Construction BC Energy Compliance Report completed by a qualified Energy Advisor (or Engineer). 

Further information may be found on our INFORMATION  BULLETIN.

Additional Resources 

When starting the building/site design process a Certified Energy Advisor must be retained to ensure the proposed building meets the requirements of the Energy Step Code.

Energy Step Code

BC Energy Step Code Builders Guide - BC Housing

Compliance tools for Part 9 Buildings

Compliance tools for Part 3 Buildings

All Building Permits are now processed and approved using our Online Building Permit Portal.

Apply for building permits, check the status of your portal application, request inspections for your approved permit, or submit bylaw complaints, all from the comfort of your home or office. Click here to apply online. (Mobile devices are not compatible with the portal) 

Demolition, Water & Sewer Permits - After permit has been applied for on the web portal, please contact our office at 250-390-6530 or email Building [at] rdn.bc.ca (Building[at]rdn[dot]bc[dot]ca) so the application may be reviewed promptly. 

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Building Inspection Services