Visit downstairs at Municipal Hall for in-person help 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Is my project allowed?
While all construction projects require a building permit, many projects also require a development permit or other land development approval first.
View development requirementsApply for a building permit
What type of building do you want a permit for?
For complex projects, schedule a pre-application meeting. We are available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday to Friday. Contact: building@whistler.ca, 604-935-8150.
Residential – single family home
Construct or renovate a single family home or build a suite, carriage house, duplex or triplex — and more.
Residential – multi-unit residential housing
Construct or renovate a condo, townhouse, apartment — and more
Trade permits
Get a permit for plumbing, heat pump, fireplace, wood burning appliance or disconnecting from the DES.
Before starting work, you need to apply for a building permit.
In most cases, a permit is NOT required for:
- Minor repairs, painting, decorating, floor replacement
- A single-story accessory building no greater than 10 m2 in building area providing it does not create a hazard, where it meets the setback requirements of the Land Use Bylaw and where matters affecting health or safety are not involved.
- Minor repair or alterations to any heating, ventilation or air conditioning system which are of a minor nature and which, in the opinion of the Safety Codes Officer, will not hinder the satisfactory operation of the system and does not involve the health or safety of the occupants of the building.
- Landscaping on a land parcel including concrete and paving — unless required by a development permit.
- Fences
- Personal sauna installations.
What is a building permit?
A building permit gives official approval from the Resort Municipality of Whistler to construct, renovate, demolish or alter a structure. During the permit application, we ensure your project complies with the BC Building Code, zoning bylaws and other regulations, and supports Whistler’s climate action goals. Our goal is to ensure Whistler has safe, sustainable and secure buildings.
We keep a record of building permits on a property file’s permanent record to show the work was done in accordance with applicable zoning, health and life-safety regulations. This can be viewed by future property owners.
The permit process
Once we receive your complete permit application, we review it to ensure it complies with Whistler’s bylaws and provincial codes. We’ll work with you if you have deficiencies that need further work to meet these requirements. Once approved, we issue your building permit.
Then we inspect to ensure the work is being done correctly and is in accordance with the permit.
Once your project is completed, we give you a file completion or occupancy permit and keep a record in the property file.
Processing times
We prioritize the following applications for review:
- Applications resulting in new emergency housing, supportive housing or transitional housing.
- Applications submitted by the Whistler 2020 Development Corporation, a subsidiary of the RMOW that facilitates the development of employee housing on municipal lands.
- Applications resulting in, amending, associated with, or subject to housing agreements that result in new housing units being built.
- Applications for development to be constructed pursuant to our Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing zoning amendment bylaw, a provincially legislated requirement allowing for three to four dwelling units on applicable residential parcels.
Applications may also be prioritized, at the sole discretion of the General Manager, based on their anticipated contribution to meeting Whistler’s housing needs.
For details, view Council Policy G30. (PDF) This policy is to reduce the wait time for prioritized review, but does not promise reduced processing timelines.
Building permit application initial review
Initial review means a Building Official has reviewed the application and sent correspondence to the authorized contact on the file regarding next steps. Note: this does not mean the permit is ready for issuance.
Applications and resubmissions of information are reviewed in priority sequence of receipt with all other applications at the RMOW allowing fairness to all in the community.
Staff are not able to provide timelines as there is large variability in the size and complexity of files in the review line.
Last updated: September 9, 2025
Residential (single family and duplexes)
Currently reviewing applications submitted in July 2025.
Multi-family residential
Currently reviewing applications submitted in July 2025.
Commercial
Currently reviewing application submitted in July 2025.
Re-submission for in-progress applications and revisions for issued permits can take a minimum of three weeks to review.
Council Policy G30: Housing Needs Priority Application Review
Currently reviewing applications submitted in September 2025.
Stand-alone plumbing
Currently reviewing applications submitted in August 2025.
Heat pump permit
Currently reviewing applications submitted in August 2025.
Site alteration
Case-by-case basis.
File Review for Occupancy
Currently reviewing files scheduled in August 2025.
File review for Expired Permits and TA (Tourist Accommodation) business licence-related permits
Currently reviewing files scheduled in July 2025.
Only complete building permit applications with all required documentation will be put into the processing queue. Be sure to review application checklists to ensure your submission is complete.
The information above is updated at the beginning of each month.
Additional resources
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