Demolition Permit

Hazardous Building Materials

The following documents need to be completed and submitted at the time of application for a demolition permit in order to comply with the BC Hazardous Waste Regulation and Environmental Management Act:

• Hazardous material report

Hazardous or banned materials, such as asbestos, must be identified and documented in this report.

If you have any questions regarding WorkSafe BC’s requirements, please call 604.276.3100 or visit WorkSafeBC website

*The abatement of hazardous materials may not start until Demolition permit issuance (see below).

Tree Cutting

If there are trees to be removed, a tree cutting permit will be required before the demolition permit is issued. Complete an online Tree Permit Application.

For further information, contact the Parks Department at 604.927.5301.

Demolition Site Safety Plan

​The applicant is required to submit a Demolition Site Safety Plan [PDF/394KB] for any Commercial, Industrial or Multi-Family structure to the Fire Department for their review and approval. A Demolition Site Safety Plan is not required for Single-Family or Duplex unless the Duplex has any common areas such as shared spaces.  For more information contact the Fire Department at 604.927.5288 or email [email protected].

Watercourse Protection

Before a permit is issued, the demolition plan must be reviewed to ensure it does not impact the environment or any watercourses. If your site is within 30 metres of a watercourse, you will need to contact the Planning Division. For more information please call the Planning Division at 604.927.5442 or visit Watercourse Development Permit.

Site Identification

Except for demolition of single-family or two-family dwellings, a Site Identification application will have to be completed before OR with the Demolition Permit application, to ensure the project meets the provincial Waste Management Act and Contaminated Sites Regulation.

Complete and submit the following:

• Demolition Permit application form [PDF/412KB]
• Building and Plumbing Bylaw Form A – Acknowledgements of Owner [PDF/118KB]
• Hazardous material report

Timing

Please contact the Building Division for application processing time estimates.

Fees, Charges, and Security/Deposit

All application fees are outlined in the Fees and Charges Bylaw.

Applicants will also be required to pay:

• Water, sanitary and storm drainage service cap-off fees,
• Highway Use Permit fee, and
• Highway Use Security/Deposit (refundable when work is complete).

After the application is submitted, Development Engineering staff will contact the applicant regarding cap-off fees, the Highway Use Permit (Fees and Refundable Security), and to advise that they will now accept your request for the City to cap off the services. If you wish to proceed quickly, this must be completed before the demolition permit may be issued.

Please note: It is the sole responsibility of the applicant that a WorkSafe BC Notice of Project is registered with WorkSafe BC. Registration may be completed online. Please visit the WorkSafe BC website.

• Upon receipt and approval of required documents as well as payment of all applicable fees. The applicant will be advised that the permit is ready to be issued for the abatement process only.
• The abatement of the hazardous materials only may now proceed. Do not start the demolition of the building. Upon completion of the abatement, the WorkSafe BC Clearance Letter must be submitted to the Building Division. Once Clearance Letter has been submitted and Building Department has been notified by Public Works that capping off of applicable services has been completed, a pre-demo site building inspection will be scheduled.
• Upon completion and approval of the inspection by the building inspector, the applicant/contractor may proceed with the demolition of the building.

Contact the Building Division to request a final building inspection after the demolition is complete and the site is level and clear of debris.

After this is confirmed by the Building Inspector, a Development Engineering Inspector will inspect the site and contact the applicant about any issues or release of the Highway Use Security.