Throughout the building process, you also need to book inspections to make sure construction follows the BC Building Code and requirements of the Village's zoning and building bylaws.
Do I need a building permit?
You need a building permit for any of the following:
New buildings or additions
Alterations or renovations (except for things like painting or new flooring)
Reconstruction
Plumbing, including new work or relocating existing fixtures
Demolition
Relocation or removal of a building
Foundations for manufactured homes
Change of use or occupancy type in an existing building
Retaining walls over 1.22 m (4 ft.) and fencing for them
Pools and hot tubs
Masonry fireplaces or installation of wood-burning appliances or chimneys
Accessory buildings greater than 10 m2 (107.64 sq. ft.)
Planning for construction
Beginning a new project? Follow these steps:
The first step is to determine which zone your property is in.
Download the Zoning Map PDF or link to the online interactive map below.
Gather the following documents and have them ready before you hire your team of qualified professionals:
State of Title Certificate from BC Land Title & Survey and any supporting documentation listed on the title. Make sure you understand any charges registered on title, such as building scheme, utility right-of-way, etc.
The Owner's Undertaking and Letter of Authorization for an agent to handle your permit application. These can be completed online in Cloudpermit online. View these forms.
A BC Land Survey showing the proposed building in relationship to covenants, easements, right of ways, water courses and lakes with the high-water mark elevation noted
A New Home Registration Form from a builder or an owner builder must be provided. Check with BC Housing for registration information and details:
You will need to engage the services of the following qualified professionals for design, engineering, energy advising, and construction:
Hire a licensed contractor or choose to be an owner builder.
If you want to build your own home and lead the project, you need to pass an exam to get an Owner Builder Authorization by passing an exam. Find out more at bchousing.org.
Hire a building contractor and designer to draw up your building plans. The building designer needs to provide a full set of plans for the Building Permit. Read the blueprint requirements:
Contact a mechanical contractor early on to help with the design of heating and ventilation systems for your building to maximize energy savings for the final design.
Hire a certified energy advisor to help with your design so that you will meet the requirement for Energy Step Code 3 for both Part 9 (simple) and Part 3 (complex) buildings. Your energy advisor needs to provide a Pre-Construction Compliance Report with your building permit application.
Lytton is in Zone 5 (3300 degree days below 18°C).
Hire a geotechnical and structural engineer. Due to ground disturbance in the Village, all new structures require the services of professional engineers:
A geotechnical engineer is required to determine the bearing capacity and structural considerations of the soil and compaction of engineered fill;
A structural engineer is required to design the foundation and any retaining walls over 1.2-m (4 ft.) in height.
The exception is for detached garages, carports, and garden structures, which are less than 55 m2 (592 sq. ft.) and are considered simple buildings in the building code.
The geotechnical engineer and structural engineer must provide the following:
Letter of Assurance (BC Building Code - Schedule B)
Copy of their current Certificate of Liability Insurance
The structural engineer also needs to provide a digitally signed and sealed set of structural blueprints for the building permit.
BC Building Codes
The BC Codes 2024 took effect March 8, 2024, except adaptable dwelling and earthquake changes which take effect March 10, 2025. See Bulletin: 2024 BC Building Code Changes.
Visit the Building Officials Association of BC's website for:
Find the 2024 BC Codes. Note that the current online version of the 2024 Codes does not specify changes and is a static format similar to the 2020 National Building Code.
In general, your building is going to be classified as Part 9 (simple) or Part 3 (complex) according to the BC Building Code:
Part 9 is the most common and applies to:
Single-family and small commercial buildings
Buildings of three storeys or less with a building area that does not exceed 600 m2
Medium- to low-hazard industrial occupancies
Examples include houses, duplexes, small apartment buildings, small commercial buildings with stores or offices, and small industrial shops.
Part 3 applies generally to:
Buildings that are greater than three storeys with a building area that exceeds 600 m2
Buildings intended for public gatherings, residential care, etc.
High-hazard industrial occupancies
Examples include larger condo or apartment buildings, daycares, shopping malls, churches, theatres, restaurants, or schools.
