Permits and Inspections for Building and Renovation
Part 9 Simple Project Permits
Demolition Permit for Single Family Dwelling
Building Permits for Part 3 Projects
Final Inspection and Occupancy Permits
Trades Permits

Permits and Inspections for Building and Renovation

If you want to make changes to your property or building, you will need to apply for permits with Tsleil-Waututh Nation. This ensures that your project aligns with all municipal bylaws and regulations, as well as BC Building Code requirements.

When do you need to apply for a building permit?

A Building or Trade Permit is required for:

  • All new construction, including accessory buildings (for example, garage, carport, garden shed (if larger than 100 ft2) etc.)  
  • All temporary buildings
  • Additions or alterations to existing buildings, including:
    • Moving interior walls and partitions
    • Moving existing plumbing, electrical or gas lines
    • Installing new plumbing, electrical or gas lines
    • Building a deck that is more than (2 feet) off the ground
    • Making structural repairs or changes
    • Creating new means of egress (doors, windows, etc.)
  • Some “hard” landscaping features, such as fences or retaining walls (a Building permit may be needed in some situations, e.g. if a fence is more than 6 ft. tall or a retaining wall is taller than 4 ft.)
  • Demolishing a house (A demolition permit may be issued in this circumstance)
  • Installing a swimming pool

You don’t need a building permit for projects like:

  • Replacing fixtures, cabinets, and flooring
  • Painting the interior of your home
  • Minor repairs to the exterior of your home
  • Do non-structural maintenance or minor repairs
What are the building permit fees?

The building permitting fee is required with the building permit application.

The building permit fee depends on:

  • The value of the proposed construction
  • The type of construction/permit required

Additional fees, such as inspection, re-inspection and permit revision fees, may apply.

If you are not sure whether you require a building or trade permit, please contact the TWN Public Works Department to discuss your project.

For more information or to request a permit, contact us directly at permits@twnation.ca.

Part 9 Simple Project

Single Family Home and / or Interior Renovation

Application Process

  1. Complete these Forms:

2. Submit BP Application Forms along with any supporting documentation that may be required:

  • Letter of Assurance (Schedule A) – Require in the event there are two or more professionals submitting Letters of Assurance one must act as the Coordinating Registered Professional and submit a Letter of Assurance (Schedule A)
  • Letter of Assurance (Schedule B)
  • Certificate of Engineer or Architect
  • Engineered Truss Layout
  • 2 copies of Alternate Solutions Report
  • Survey Plan (if you do not have a survey plan, please provide the dimensions of the lot)
  • Proof of approval from other Regulatory Authorities
  • Homeowner Protection Office Form
  • Geotechnical Soils Report
  • Erosion and Sediment Control Permit (if not provide under associated Development Permit)

Your permit application package should be sent:
– By Email: Attention: Permitting to permits@twnation.ca.
– By Mail or delivery: Attention: Permitting, Department of Public Works, 3178 Alder Court, North Vancouver, BC, Canada, VH7 2V6

3. Get your permit

The length of time it takes to receive your permit varies, depending on how many applications we are processing. Generally speaking, you should receive your new construction permit in approximately 4 to 6 weeks, provided the application you submit is complete and compliant, and we don’t require additional information or further revisions from you.

Building Permit will be issued once you’ve paid all permit fee and security deposit and other permit-related fees.

You must start work within six months of receiving your permit, and work must be completed within two years. You are also responsible for arranging for all of the necessary inspections.

4. Apply for other permits you may require

Once your permit has been issued, you can apply for any other permits that you may need, including electrical, sprinkler, plumbing, and gas please refer to Trades Permits Section.

5. Apply for Inspection and Final Occupancy Permit

Demolition Permit for Single Family Dwelling

For more information or to request a demolition permit, contact Lands Office directly at permits@twnation.ca.

Building Permits for Part 3 Projects

All Part 3 Buildings fall under Certified Program. Prior to submitting any documents for Part 3 projects, please contact Lands Office to schedule a pre-application meeting.

Email at: permits@twnation.ca

Certified Professional Program

The Certified Professional (CP) Program is required by TWN’s Building Bylaw for all Part 3 projects on reserve. As part of this process the CP  provides their professional assurance to the AHJ that they will take all appropriate steps to ascertain that the design will substantially comply  and the construction of the project will substantially conform in all material respects with the fire and life safety, and accessibility aspects of  the building code, other applicable safety enactments, and the related development permit.

Certified Professional Program Information

Final Inspection and Occupancy Permits

When all construction is complete and you are almost ready to move into your building, you need to have your building inspected and you must apply for an occupancy permit. An occupancy permit is your permission to occupy all or part of a building. The Building Code requires an inspection to be made and a permit to be issued prior to persons occupying certain new buildings, which include detached, semi-detached and row houses. TWN will not issue an occupancy permit if your construction project is incomplete, unsafe, and/or non-compliant with applicable codes.

Prior to scheduling the final inspection, you should ensure that you have completed all required building and trade inspections; completed all applicable work under your permits; and provided suitable access to your site.

Please request Occupancy Permit Application Forms via email at: permits@twnation.ca

Trades Permits

Electrical Permit

You need an electrical permit to install or alter electrical equipment, including:

  • service panels, outlets
  • temporary power poles
  • signs, street lighting
  • baseboard heaters, radiant heat
  • alarms, vacuum systems, generators
  • conduits, cable tie, fibre optics, bonding

How to apply

You must apply for your permit before the work begins. For your convenience, you can apply for most electrical permits by email.

Here’s how:

  1. If your work is part of a Home Owner Corporation please seek approval prior proceeding on permit application with TWN and/or TSBC
  2. Licensed Contractor to complete the TWN Electrical Permit Application Form 
  3. Licensed Contractor to provide a copy of Technical Safety BC Permit

Technical Safety BC website: Electrical installation permits | Technical Safety BC

  • Email the completed form with a copy of TSBC Permit to: permits@twnation.ca.
  • We will process your application, and then email you an Electrical Permit, no permit fee will need to be paid since TSBC will provide site inspections.
  • Upon Completion of work provide TWN a copy of TSBC Final Inspection report.

If you do not wish to apply by email, you can drop off your application in person at:

TWN Department of Public Works: 3178 Alder Court, North Vancouver, BC, Canada, VH7 2V6

Residential Electrical Permit for Home EV Charger

Step 1: Obtain Home Owner Association Approval. Make sure to notified your strata and get approval prior starting any work. Even if you have an Electrical Permit from TWN/TSBC it doesn’t take precedence to Home Owner Association approval.

Step 2: Please have your electrician filled out TWN Electrical Permit form and also provide TWN a copy of Technical Safety BC Permit. Send via email to: permits@twnation.ca.

Step 3:  Send via email the above required submittals: TWN EP Application Form and TSBC Permit. TWN will review your application and if all is complete will Issue an Electrical Permit.

You can also refer to BC Hydro How to Guide online, which will provide you valuable information on Home EV Charger installation steps: How to Install a Home EV Charger, Checklist | BC Hydro

Plumbing Permit

You need a plumbing permit to install or alter fixtures and systems, including:

  • water service
  • interior fixtures (toilet, sink, shower, dishwasher)
  • roof and floor drains
  • hot water tanks
  • hydronic heating 

You do not need a plumbing permit to:

  • clear stoppages
  • repair leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures

Who can apply

The person doing the work – either the registered homeowner or a licensed contractor – can apply for the permit.

How to apply

You must apply for your permit before the work begins. For your convenience, you can apply for plumbing permits by email.

Here’s how:

  1. Complete TWN Plumbing Permit Application Form
  2. Email the completed form, and any other required documents (listed below), to permits@twnation.ca.
  3. We will process your application, and advise you when the permit is ready for pick up with plumbing fees invoice.
  4. Once we receive your payment, we will send you your permit.

If you do not wish to apply by email, you can drop off your application in person at the TWN Department of Public Works: 3178 Alder Court, North Vancouver, BC, Canada, VH7 2V6

Are you the registered homeowner?

When you apply, you must submit:

  • schematic drawings
  • a completed application form
  • heat loss calculations (if you are installing hydronic heating)

The schematic drawing, calculations, and application will be reviewed by an inspector before your permit is issued.

Are you the contractor?

When you apply, you must:

  • have a valid business license in the District
  • have a valid trades qualification certificate
  • submit a completed application form
  • submit drawings for review (in some cases, such as commercial sites)
  • submit heat loss calculations (if you are installing hydronic heating)

The schematic drawings and application will be reviewed by an inspector before your permit is issued.

Fees

Fees are calculated by fixture, please contact us directly at permits@twnation.ca to identify the fees.

Documents, forms, checklists

Back flow prevention assembly report (if applicable) please contact TWN Lands at permits@twnation.ca.

Sprinkler Permit

You need a permit to install a sprinkler system in any commercial, industrial, institutional, or multi-family home.

You also need one for new single-family homes within a fire limits area.

Who can apply?

Sprinkler systems can only be installed by licensed contractors. The contractor must apply for the permit.

How to apply?

You must apply for your permit before the work begins. For your convenience, please submit your application by email.

Here’s how:

  1. Complete the TWN Sprinkler Permit Application Form.
  2. Email the completed form, and any other required documents (listed below), to permits@twnation.ca.
  3. We will process your application, and advise you when the permit is ready for pick up with sprinkler fees invoice.
  4. Once we receive your payment, we will send you your permit.

If you do not wish to apply by email, you can drop off your application in person at the TWN Department of Public Works: 3178 Alder Court, North Vancouver, BC, Canada, VH7 2V6.

Requirements

To apply for a permit, you must:

If you are installing six or more fixtures, you must also submit:

  • Signed and sealed design drawings
  • Schedules B1 and B2 of the Building Code
  • Confirmation of professional liability insurance

Your drawings and other plans will be approved by a mechanical inspector before your permit will be issued.

Fees

Fees are calculated by fixture, please contact us directly at permits@twnation.ca to identify the fees.