Permit Fee Schedule & Costs

Victoria Permit Fees & Deposits Guide

Bylaw fee schedules, sliding valuation scales, refundable damage deposits, and required upfront plan check deposits for construction in Victoria, BC.

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When budgeting a construction or renovation project in Victoria, municipal permit fees and refundable damage securities represent essential upfront expenditures. Rather than simple flat charges, Victoria calculates building permit costs based on total construction value, paired with refundable damage deposits to protect public infrastructure.

Whether you are planning a secondary suite, laneway dwelling, custom single-family home, multiplex addition, or commercial tenant improvement, this guide clarifies how City Hall calculates fees, what securities are required at intake, and how to submit complete drawing packages for first-round approval.

Victoria Permit Fee Quick Calculator

Official Bylaw Sliding Scale Estimator

Select your project classification and enter estimated construction valuation below to calculate the base permit rate, upfront intake plan check deposit, and refundable damage deposits.

Project Classification

Estimated Value (CAD $)

Estimated Base Permit Fee $0.00 Victoria Building Bylaw Fee Schedule

Upfront Intake Deposit $0.00 Plan check charge credited toward permit

Refundable Damage Deposit $0.00 Subject to municipal site inspection

* Damage deposits are held by Victoria and refunded upon final building inspection approval. Does not include trade permits (plumbing/electrical/gas) or regional DCC development charges.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

How Victoria Assesses Your Permit Fees

Value Assessment

City examiners evaluate declared contract costs against standardized valuation schedules ($/sq ft).

Bylaw Sliding Scale

Base fees scale progressively based on project scope, square footage, and declared value.

Security Deposits

Refundable damage deposit protects sidewalks, boulevards, curbs, and road assets during construction.

Intake Plan Check

An intake deposit initiates active plan examination with Victoria building officials.

Official Municipal Rates

City of Victoria - Detailed Permit Fees Guide

A detailed breakdown of common permit fees for new builds, renovations, and demolitions in Victoria.

Detailed fee schedule

Notice: This is a guide only. Official fees are determined by the City at the time of application and are subject to change.

Category / Project Scope	Minimum / Base Fee	Incremental Rate / Notes
Administrative Fees
Records Access Fee (Plan Search)	$25
Written Statement or Report	$50
Bonds / Deposits
Excavation Deposit	1.2 times estimated cost to backfill
Building & Plumbing
Application Fee (at time of application)	$100
Permit Fee (before issuance)	1.40% of cost of construction*	*Excludes plumbing & electrical value
Plumbing Permit Fee	1.40% of cost of plumbing work + $100
Work Without Permit	2.8% of cost up to $20,000	+ 1.4% of cost over $20,000
Revision After Issuance	Greater of (i) or (ii)	i. 10% of original fee + new permit fee ii. Not less than $100
Re-inspection Fee	$50
Permit Extension	$100
Electrical Permits (Additional Fees)
Re-inspection Fee	$40
Work Without Permit	Double Fees
Electrical Permits (Contractor)
Work Value $1 - $1,000	$36 - $61	See detailed schedule
Work Value $1,001 - $20,000	$61 + $20 per $1,000 of value
Work Value Over $20,000	$441 + 1.25% x Value over $20,000
Electrical Permits (Homeowner)
Homeowner Permit Fee	Fee based on 2x material costs	See detailed schedule
Miscellaneous Permits & Fees
Blasting Permit	$150
Sign Permit	$100	For each sign

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