Complex Building Permits

If you are planning to construct a complex building in the Peace River Regional District, you will need a specific type of building permit to ensure your project meets safety and regulatory standards. Permits ensure your building is safe, meets the BC Building Code and complies with our bylaws.

A complex building is a larger or specialized structure. This includes buildings that are used for major occupancies, such as:

Assembly spaces like theatres or auditoriums
Care facilities including hospitals or nursing homes
Detention centers
High-hazard industrial sites
Post-disaster buildings including emergency shelters

The application also applies to building that exceed 600 square meters (about 6,460 square feet) or taller than three stories, used for Residential living including apartment complexes and business or personal services including office buildings and salons.

How to Apply

To apply, please email us your completed application or you can drop it off in person to:

1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek
9505 100 Street, Fort St. John

Download the Complex Building Permit Application

Application processing fees:

Constructing a Complex Building: $300.00
Constructing an addition/renovation on a Complex Building up to 100 square metres: $150.00
Constructing an addition/renovation on a Complex Building 101 square metres or larger: $200.00
Refund fee for permit cancellation: 85% of the total permit fee

Complex Building fees:

Building Permit fee for buildings not requiring the services of a registered professional: $6.00 per $1000 of construction value
Building Permit fee for buildings requiring the services of a registered professional: $5.00 per $1000 of construction value
Sprinkler fee: $50.00 for the first 25, $1.00 per sprinkler thereafter
Re-inspection fee: $100.00
12-month permit extension: $500.00

Before You Start

Before you start your application, you will need to gather a few things. Please make sure that you have your contact information including your name, address, phone number and email. If you are hiring a contractor, please include their details as well. If your project involves excavation, make sure to check for contaminated sites and contact Call Before You Dig to avoid damaging underground utilities.

Site Information

Make sure that you include the address and legal description of the construction site. You should include details about the property, such as its size and if there are other buildings on it.

Building Details

Make sure to include:

The size and estimated construction cost
A description of the project (i.e. what you are building)
The type of construction material (e.g. wood frame, steel, concrete)
The building’s classification (e.g. residential, industrial)

Required Plans and Reports

We require an energy model or pre-construction energy report and two sets of building plans, including:

Site plan
Foundation and floor plans
Elevations and cross-sections
Truss or beam layouts

Please include code compliance and approvals:

A code compliance report from a registered professional
Sewage disposal approval if applicable
A Contaminated site declaration form, which we have included for you in the application package, stating the land’s history of use

Specialist Documents including:

Engineered drawings and assurance forms (e.g. for structural, mechanical, or fire systems)
Proof of insurance for registered professionals involved

Contact Us

Peace River Regional District (PRRD)
1981 Alaska Avenue,
Dawson Creek, BC
V1G 4H8

250-784-3200
prrd.dc@prrd.bc.ca

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