On shared unceded L̓il̓wat7úl and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory

Once you have a building permit, you can start work on your project.

Prominently display the placard from the Building Department with the four-digit street address and building permit number.

Plan ahead by scheduling your inspections.

Documentation required during construction

Surveyor’s certificates for new construction

You must verify your project conforms to the Zoning and Parking Bylaw No. 303, 2015 setback requirements both before and after the concrete is placed.

Before pouring concrete into the foundation formwork needing setback confirmation, you must provide the Building Inspector with:

  • a siting plan or a survey of the forms produced by a registered BC Land Surveyor; or,
  • where foundations are 3 cm clear of setbacks as determined by Land Title Office plans, an improvement location plan produced by a Certified Applied Science Technologist.

If a siting plan is provided, you don’t need a survey or improvement location plan for the formwork before placing concrete. This rule applies unless the foundations are within 3 cm of a setback.

Within 10 working days after finishing concrete or preserved-wood foundations, the owner or their authorized agent must submit:

  • a survey or improvement location plan showing the setbacks of the closest portions of the foundations to the adjacent property lines.

If a survey or improvement location plan is given, submit a survey or improvement location plan of the finished foundations to the Building Inspector. This must happen before the occupancy permit is issued. The plan should include the following:

  • The shortest distances from the building’s foundations to the property lines, easements, or rights of way; and
  • Show the floor system height meets any municipal flood reference levels.

Mechanical Ventilation Checklists

Each dwelling unit needs a Mechanical Ventilation Checklist to show it complies with Section 9.32 of the 2018 BC Building Code.

Image of a construction site

Inspections during construction

Talk to our Building department staff about which inspections are needed for your building permit. They may include the following before your final inspection:

Building permit inspections:

  • Footing formwork
  • Foundation formwork
  • Damproof
  • Draintile
  • Slab preparation
  • Framing and sheathing
  • Insulation/vapour barrier
  • Chimney/fireplace rough-in

Plumbing permit inspections:

  • Sewer/water line
  • Plumbing underground
  • Plumbing rough-in
  • Tub and shower test

Final inspections needed before an occupancy permit is issued

  • Plumbing/water meter final (if applicable)
  • Fireplace final (if applicable)
  • Building final inspection

If you paid a Highway Use, Clearing and Inspection Fee, you’ll need to submit a Highway Use, Clearing and Inspection Fee Refund form (PDF). Our Building Department staff will schedule a Roads Final inspection and Utilities Final inspection before the fee can be refunded.

Documents required on the site

The Building Department placard visibly displayed so the public can see the four-digit street address and building permit number.

Keep the approved building permit plans on site for all inspections. To get a replacement copy, submit a Property Information Retrieval Request.

NOTE: The building inspector may refuse to conduct an inspection if any of the above items are not on site at the time of the inspection.

For the footings inspection, you’ll need:

  • Structural Engineer’s field report
  • Geotechnical Engineer’s report (when required)
  • Survey of foundation forms or survey of layout

At the framing inspection, you need:

  • Gas/electric proof of completion, installation or alteration form

If spray foam is used, the following information must be on site at the time of insulation inspection:

  • CCMC Number
  • Installers ID Card
  • Daily Thickness Worksheet

Booking your inspections

Book your inspection online here, using the 8-digit folder number (e.g. BPXXXXXX, PLPXXXXX, DEMXXXX). We recommend booking at least 48 hours in advance. You’ll need:

  • Building or plumbing permit number
  • Civic address
  • Type of inspection
  • Name and phone number of the site contact

Inspections are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. A re-inspection fee may be charged if the building inspector decides extra inspections are needed due to the owner’s or contractor’s fault.

Construction regulations in Whistler

Contractors should hold a business licence

Contractors, designers, architects, and engineers should have a business licence. If based outside of Whistler, they need a non-resident business licence.

Building and plumbing inspectors can refuse to inspect work done by unlicensed contractors.

Noise levels

Noise from construction, equipment, or machinery in residential zones is only allowed between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Noise Control bylaw.

Municipal water supply

Connecting to the municipal water service requires a backflow preventer in accordance with CSA B64.10 for either a temporary or permanent connection. Backflow prevention should consider the potential cross-connection hazard level.

If a water service pipe has a minor hazard (MH), it must have a check valve Article 2.6.1.5 of the 2012 BC Plumbing Code.

To apply to use a fire hydrant for temporary water, apply here (PDF). You will be provided with a backflow preventer on the hydrant with a rental fee.

Temporary water use for typical construction isn’t metered.

Parking regulations

View neighbourhood parking regulations here.

Vehicles with a valid commercial parking decal can park on the even side year-round while the driver is providing service nearby. Apply for a commercial parking decal (PDF).

Construction restrictions during high and extreme Fire Danger Ratings

Construction restrictions apply when the Fire Danger Rating is high or extreme. Construction activity can only return to the usual schedule when the Fire Danger Rating is low, moderate, or low again. View restrictions here.

Connections to municipal services

The Infrastructure Services Department specifies design standards for connections to municipal services, including but not limited to:

  • Residential water service
  • Metered connections
  • Sanitary and storm service connection
  • Sanitary service inspection chamber
  • Storm sump details
  • Driveway culvert and headwall

To ensure any connections to municipal services required for your project are done correctly, review the Standard Drawings.

FireSmart building and landscaping

Increase the building’s and landscaping’s resilience to wildfire by following FireSmart standards and getting a FireSmart assessment including:

  • Non-combustible roofing materials
  • Home-hardening techniques
  • Closed eaves
  • Screened vents <3mm openings
  • Enclosed and non-combustible decks/balconies/porches
  • Tempered or double-pane windows

FireSmart Landscaping Standards:

  • 10m vegetation (fuel) free zone around building (deciduous trees not counted)
  • Forest (conifer tree) composition 10m – 30m beyond building: 3m spacing between conifer crowns, removal of smaller trees, prune all stems >2m upwards, remove surface fuels.

Wildlife safety on construction sites

Construction sites have many potential attractants for bears. These must be stored in a secure building or bear-proof container. Attractants, such as food, should be thrown away in a bear-proof garbage or recycling container that meets Solid Waste Wildlife-Proof Enclosure requirements.

Read about Bear Smart practices for construction sites.