Building Inspections
Building inspections are conducted according to standards for construction in the general public interest for reasons of public health and safety, and are provided by performing limited and interim spot checking.
The Regional District requires building inspections within a specified area of the region. (See the Area Map below). It is voluntary to obtain a building permit outside of that area.
Peace River Regional District (PRRD) Bylaw No. 1189, 1999 governs the administration of the building inspection service, and the BC Building Code 2006 provides the standards for which inspections are made.
There is one full-time Building Inspector for the Regional District in the Fort St. John office. If you intend to start construction you should first check with our building inspector regarding requirements for obtaining a building permit.
OWNER-BUILDERS will require authorization from the Home Owner Protection office (HPO).
For more information or to apply online please visit the HPO Website.
Peace River Regional District Building Inspection Forms and Information
Building Permit Application (PDF, 2 pages, 225 KB)
Building Inspection Bylaw No. 1189, 1999 (Downloadable PDF, 27 pages, 1.9 MB)
Building Inspection Area Map (PDF, 3.8 MB)
Building Inspection Guide
Building Inspection Guide for download: (PDF, 2 pages, 30 KB)
This is the guide for residential construction including any of the following, but is not a substitute for Peace River Regional District By-law 1189, 1999 (see link above):
- Repairs
- Alterations
- Additions
- Accessory Buildings
- Manufactured Homes
- Placing Buildings
Building permits are required when you wish to:
- Construct new residential dwellings
- Construct accessory buildings and structures (garage, shop, sheds, etc.)
- Repair, renovate, construct additions
- Install new plumbing systems
- Add to an existing dwelling
- Install a chimney or solid fuel burning appliance
- Demolish or place a building or structure, mobile homes, manufactured homes
- Place permanent and temporary tent structures (verify with the building inspector)
Permits are not required for:
- Temporary on-site construction trailer for a project being constructed under valid permits
- Construction, alterations or repairs with an estimated labour and construction value not exceeding $2,500.00, except that a permit is always required for work on a residential dwelling
- Farm buildings as defined by the most recent edition of the National Farm Building Code
- Landscaping, fencing, signs and retaining walls
- Construction of the placement of a building having a floor area of less than 11 square meters (120 square feet)
- Garden shed, tool shed or greenhouse having a floor area not exceeding 20 square meters (215 square feet)
- Repair and replacement of plumbing fixtures (verify with building inspector)
Things you should know when planning your project:
- Land use regulations, not limited to zoning by-laws and requirements stipulated by the Agriculture Land Reserve (ALR)
- Confirm zoning of property and ensure your building meets intended use
- Check for required set-backs from property lines and other structures on your property, or adjacent properties
- Check for natural gas, hydro, cable or telephone lines, easements, right-of-ways, covenants
- Confirm the lot line locations
What is required to obtain a building permit?
- Obtain a Building Permit Application (download PDF)
- Complete all sections of the form that pertain to your proposed building project
- Provide two (2) sets of construction drawings
- Provide a site plan (to scale)
- The application must be signed by the owner or provision of agents
- Pay the building permit fee. Fees are $100 or the greater of 1/2 of 1% of the estimated construction value, including plumbing costs.
How long will it take to process my application?
For residential applications, we strive to maintain a turn-around of five (5) working days. You will be contacted as soon as your permit is ready.
In order to assist us with expediting your application, the recommended steps are:
- Make a preliminary inquiry about the land use regulations and feasibility of your proposal to the Regional District Building Department - call 1-800-670-7773.
- Complete the required application for a building permit
- File application along with two sets of construction and site plan drawings
- Construction plans must conform to the most recent edition of the BC Building Code (2006 with Errata).
Please note that the Province of BC will be publishing the next editions of the BC Building Code, BC Fire Code and BC Plumbing Codes ("BC Codes") in the spring of 2012 with an effective date in the fall of 2012. See information bulletin here.
Construction Drawing Requirements:
- A complete drawing of the building including: floor plan, foundation plan, elevations, cross sections, stair details, truss drawings, plumbing fixtures and electrical plan.
- Special beams, floor trusses or roof trusses, other than those listed in the BC Building Code, require supplier or engineer to submit Schedules B-1, B-2 before the permit issued, and upon completion of framing inspection a Schedule C-b is required.
- A site plan indicating services, access, major site features, the position and the dimensions of the proposed building and all additional buildings occupying the lot drawn to scale.
Completed drawings and application forms will be reviewed within five (5) working days for approval. If revisions are required, the application and plans will be returned. After the revisions are completed the plans can be re-submitted for approval, this process will continue until the application and plans are approved for a building permit.
Some additional forms that may be required (where applicable):
- Homeowner Protection Office authorization
- Letters of Assurance, Schedules B-1, B-2 (Found on BC Building Codes 2006 website)
- Notification of Installation for Plumbing Systems
- Mechanical ventilation check list
- Solid fuel burning appliance application
| Incomplete forms and plans may result in your application being rejected, causing delay in your construction schedules. |
The Building Inspector may issue a building permit subject to the following:
(1) All requirements for the application have been submitted; AND
(2) A satisfactory review of the application has been completed; AND
(3) The building permit fee has been paid.
| When construction pursuant to the building permit has not been commenced within one (1) year of the date of issuance, or has been discontinued or suspended for a period of more than one (1) year from the last inspection, the PERMIT SHALL EXPIRE. |
It is the owner's responsibility to:
- Carry out the work authorized by a permit in accordance with the requirements of the BC Building Code and the by-laws of the Peace River Regional District
- Ensure that a building permit is obtained prior to commencing any construction
- Ensure that requests for inspections are made with at least 48 hours notice
- Ensure that all forms and applications have been completed in full and properly endorsed
Personnel performing plumbing work must:
- Possess a BC Tradesman's qualifications certification as a plumber, OR
- Be an indentured apprentice supervised by a BC Journeyman Plumber, OR
- Be the registered owner and occupier of the single family dwelling provided that that building inspector has been provided with proof that the owner is able to satisfactorily complete the proposed work.
Displaying the Building Permit:
The owner is responsible for displaying a copy of the building permit where it may be visible upon entering the property.
Building Permit Fees:
Fees payable for the issuance of a building permit are based on 1/2 of 1% of the estimated construction value, plumbing fees included.
Minimum permit fee is $100.00.
Requirements for Placing Buildings, Structures and Manufactured Homes:
A moved structure, manufactured home may only be placed subject to the following conditions:
- Manufactured homes must display either a CAN/CSA Z240 or A277 certification stamp. Homes that have been altered or no longer display a certification stamp will require verification from an engineer indicating that the home is safe for the use intended.
View a copy of the Manufactured Home Regulation (B.C. Reg. 441/2003) - The Building Inspector may be required to make a site inspection to verify the CSA certification.
- Placement of any moved building or structure greater than 20 square meters, will require certification from an engineer verifying that the building is safe for the use intended.
For more information contact the Peace River Regional District: Building Inspection Department - Fort St. John Office Building Inspection Department - Dawson Creek |