Resort Municipality of Whistler - Building Permits

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Building Permits

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If you are planning to construct, alter, renovate, demolish, relocate or change the occupancy of any building in Whistler, you need a building permit. The information below is for reference only. For more detailed information regarding your specific project, please contact municipal hall.

What is a building permit?
A building permit is the formal approval from the Resort Municipality of Whistler to construct, add to, or renovate a building on your property and allows the municipality to protect the interest of both the individuals and the community as a whole. Whistler Building and Plumbing Bylaw #1617 Section 6.1 determines when a permit is required and states:

No person shall commence or continue any construction, alteration, reconstruction, demolition, removal, relocation or change the occupancy of any building, structure or plumbing system including excavation or other work related to construction unless a building official has issued a valid and existing permit for the work.

By reviewing and approving plans before any work is done, the municipality can ensure that buildings comply with:

The BC Building Code, which sets the standards for design and materials
The local zoning bylaw and its controls on buildings and uses suitable to the area
Other health and safety regulations

When are building permits required?
Building permits are required whenever you wish to:

Construct a new building
Construct a new accessory building or structure over 10 m2 in area
Repair, renovate or add to an existing building
Remove, relocate, alter or construct interior walls
Complete a previously unfinished area in an existing building
Undertake tenant improvements in an existing space
Renovate your home
Demolish a building
Add new plumbing fixtures

Building permits are not required for non-structural minor modifications such as:

Cupboards
Painting
New flooring

Tenant Improvement Permit
A tenant improvement permit is required prior to work to a tenant space including: wall construction, ceiling construction, electrical or plumbing work. The tenant will need authorization from the unit owner in writing to get a building permit. Scale drawings are required and must be certified by an architect in most cases. Issues reviewed include: fire exits, seating, washrooms, sprinkler coverage, fire separations. There are other requirements such as health department approval for food/drink sales and plumbing review for additional fixtures. Planning department review is required for any exterior changes and signage is also regulated. Strata approval is required for changes that affect the common property of a building.

Owners
A building permit is required for any new construction or modifications to existing buildings including chance of use. Permits are not required for minor cosmetic upgrades, such as painting or flooring. Most larger buildings require the services of an architect and/or engineers to certify the proposed design. Most of these projects will also require the approval of the Community Life or Resort Experience planners.

Engineering
Whistler is subject to high snow, wind and rain loads. All buildings and structures need to be engineered for the higher loads. The climatic data lists the applicable values.

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Building Library

All the applications and information packages you need for building in Whistler:

Builder's Info Package 2009 bytes

Building and Plumbing Permit Fees April 2009 173.43 Kb

Residential Permit Application 601.72 Kb

Complex Building Permit Application 364.45 Kb

Tenant Improvement Application Package 501.78 Kb

Demolition Application Package 207.62 Kb

Climatic Data 2008 53.66 Kb 28.56 Kb

BC Building Code link to government site

Water Efficient Fixtures 94.77 Kb

Riparian Areas Regulations FAQ 121.97 Kb

Whistler Green Building Guidelines 129.40 Kb

Non Municipal Authorities 50.74 Kb

© 2010 Resort Municipality of Whistler
4325 BLACKCOMB WAY, WHISTLER, B.C. V0N 1B4 WHISTLER TEL: 604-932-5535 FAX: 604-935-8109
TOLL FREE: 1-866-932-5535 EMAIL: info@whistler.ca SITE: Credits