Visit downstairs at Municipal Hall for in-person help 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Apply 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.

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, 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

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: March 6, 2026 

Residential (single family and duplexes) 

Currently reviewing applications submitted in late January 2026. 

Multi-family residential 

Currently reviewing applications submitted in January 2026. 

Commercial 

Currently reviewing application submitted in January 2026. 

Re-submission for in-progress applications and revisions for issued permits can take a minimum of three weeks to review. 

If your project requires any Development Permits approvals in conjunction with a Building Permit, be advised that due to a high volume of new applications the Planning Department is currently assigning applications received in December 2025. Building permits cannot be issued prior to development planning approvals.

Council Policy G30: Housing Needs Priority Application Review 

Currently reviewing applications submitted in January 2026. 

Stand-alone plumbing 

Currently reviewing applications submitted in February 2026. 

Heat pump permit 

Currently reviewing applications submitted in March 2026. 

Site alteration 

Case-by-case basis. 

File Review for Occupancy 

Currently reviewing files scheduled in January 2026. 

File review for Expired Permits and TA (Tourist Accommodation) business licence-related permits 

Currently reviewing files scheduled in January 2026. 

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.

Be sure to review application checklists to ensure your submission is complete. Only complete building permit applications with all required documentation will be put into the processing queue.

Applications and resubmissions of information are reviewed in priority sequence of receipt with all other applications. Re-submission for in-progress applications and revisions for issued permits can take a minimum of three weeks to review.

Works and Services Charges Bylaw update

The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has updated its Works and Services (W&S) Charges Bylaw (PDF) to ensure new development contributes fairly to the municipal infrastructure required to support a growing community. These changes modernize a system that had not been updated since 2000 and align Whistler’s approach with current infrastructure needs, housing requirements, and provincial legislation.The updated bylaw fees took effect on Wednesday, March 25, the day after Council adopted the bylaw, following approval from the Provincial Inspector of Municipalities. A 12-month instream protection period applies for eligible applications that were already in progress before adoption.

Whistler’s updated Works and Services Bylaw charges are competitive with other communities, balancing financial sustainability with development viability.

What’s changing?

Charges are now calculated using total floor area ($/m²) instead of a fixed per-parcel rate.

The updated Bylaw consolidates the five previous Works and Services bylaws into one and adds two new categories, Transit and Parks, to the existing categories of Water, Sewer, Transportation, Recreation, and Employee Housing.
Employee Housing charges now apply to all new construction, except covenanted affordable employee housing, which is exempt.

Works and Services Bylaw charges now apply to new construction, expansions and additions, as well as redevelopment or densification that increases total floor area.

Interior renovations without an increase in floor area are not subject to the charges.

In-stream protection

A 12-month instream protection period applies to eligible applications submitted before adoption of the bylaw on Wednesday, March 25. These applications will continue to be assessed using the previous W&S Bylaw charges, provided they continue progressing toward an approved permit within the protection window.

Where charges will be applied

Works and Services Charges will appear on the same invoice as the Building Permit fees and are due and payable at the same time at permit fees.

When a building permit is ready to issue, the applicant will be notified if Works and Services Charges are applicable. Payment will be due at the same time as Building Permit fees. Payment methods include cheque or cash in-person. Currently, Works and Services Charges cannot be paid online.

Why we are updating the charges

• To ensure the cost of new infrastructure is funded by the development that requires them.
• To align with Provincial housing and development legislation, including Bills 44 and 46.
• To support Whistler’s long-term housing and growth management strategy, including the ongoing need for employee housing.
• To help deliver long-term, financially sustainable infrastructure, while keeping Whistler competitive with comparable communities.

Updated fees

Works and Services Charges Bylaw No. 2489, 2025 Page 8 – Schedule “A”

These charges are enabled through the Resort Municipality of Whistler Act, which authorizes us to impose charges on land and improvements for municipal works and services. The bylaw also required approval from the Provincial Inspector of Municipalities.

Additional resources

 Are you looking for previous issues of the newsletter? View the Builders’ Corner newsletter archive.