Roofing permits · Vancouver, BC
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Vancouver?
Vancouver lists installing roofing among projects that don't require a permit, and says non-structural maintenance or minor exterior repairs need no permit. Structural changes, dormers or anything that changes the exterior form of the house need a building permit; heritage properties may need a Heritage Alteration Permit.
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What the rules say
Vancouver's roofing permit rules
'When you need a permit' page, under 'Projects that don't require a permit': 'Installing roofing, gutters, or drain-pipes.' 'Renovate a home' page table: 'Do non-structural maintenance or minor repairs to the exterior of your home' - No permit; 'Replace fixtures, cabinets, and flooring' - No; 'Paint the interior of your home' - No; permits are generally needed to 'Move interior walls and partitions' and for work that changes the exterior or creates new spaces. Building permit page: 'If you are renovating your home, such as adding an addition, moving or installing interior walls, you will need a permit.'
Other local rules worth knowing
Vancouver uses its own Vancouver Building By-law (2019, Book I) rather than the BC Building Code. The City publishes a Heritage Alteration Permit page (https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/heritage-alteration-permit.aspx, not fetched) relevant to heritage-designated houses. The 'When you need a permit' page also warns of 'serious - and potentially costly - consequences' for working without a permit. Development and Building Services Centre, 515 West 10th Ave. The 'do-i-need-a-permit' URL could not be fetched; the live page is the 'risks-of-working-without-a-permit' URL below.
Official source
City of VancouverRules and fees change. Always confirm with the municipality before work starts.
If a permit is needed
What a Vancouver roofing permit usually involves
- An application describing the work, with the contractor's details
- Drawings or engineering where the roof structure changes
- A site plan if the roof's footprint or height changes
- Inspection of framing and sheathing before it's covered, then a final inspection
- A third-party roof inspection report, where the municipality recommends one
- Permit fees, which are usually a small part of the job
A general guide. Vancouver may ask for more or less depending on the project.
Questions
Vancouver roofing permit questions
Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Vancouver?
Vancouver lists installing roofing among projects that don't require a permit, and says non-structural maintenance or minor exterior repairs need no permit. Structural changes, dormers or anything that changes the exterior form of the house need a building permit; heritage properties may need a Heritage Alteration Permit.
What roofing work does need a permit in Vancouver?
Vancouver uses its own Vancouver Building By-law (2019, Book I) rather than the BC Building Code. The City publishes a Heritage Alteration Permit page (https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/heritage-alteration-permit.aspx, not fetched) relevant to heritage-designated houses. The 'When you need a permit' page also warns of 'serious - and potentially costly - consequences' for working without a permit. Development and Building Services Centre, 515 West 10th Ave. The 'do-i-need-a-permit' URL could not be fetched; the live page is the 'risks-of-working-without-a-permit' URL below.
Who applies for a roofing permit in Vancouver?
Usually your roofing company prepares the application and books inspections as part of the job. Check that the permit, any engineering and a third-party inspection, where recommended, are included in each quote.
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