Homeowner permits
Building your home or doing repairs and renovations on it can be a challenging task. Some of the electrical and gas work in your plans may require a permit. A permit helps determine whether your work is safe and compliant to the codes and standards in BC.
Your permit includes assessment from our safety officers to make sure there is sufficient knowledge and experience for the work to be done properly and safely. A permit signifies that you have met the requirements to do the work you’re proposing – be it home renovations, repairs, or building a home. In some cases, we’ll also complete a physical assessment of the work after it’s completed.
What type of work needs a permit?
An electrical homeowner permit is required anytime you do regulated electrical work. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Replacing light fixtures or ceiling fans.
- Installing or moving light switches or electrical outlets.
- Installing electrical wiring for renovations, including solar installations.
- Connecting permanently-installed electrical equipment such as a dishwasher, over-range microwave or hood, security camera, or heat pump.
Note: replacing existing switches, receptacles and electrical outlets do NOT require a permit if performed by a qualified individual.
Who issues the permit?Depending on where your property is located, Technical Safety BC or your municipality will issue the permit. Check your jurisdiction.
Apply for permits
If your property is in Technical Safety BC jurisdiction, here’s what you need to know when applying for an electrical homeowner permit:
- Homeowners can apply for an electrical homeowner permit.
- If you are hiring a licensed contractor, your contractor will apply for this permit on your behalf. Check to ensure there is one in place before work begins.
- Owners of a strata, non-strata duplex, and those operating a business from their home cannot obtain homeowner permits and must hire a licensed contractor to perform the regulated work under permit.
- If the work is performed under a homeowner permit, the homeowner must submit a declaration form after each phase of work is completed, or every 180 days, whichever comes first.
- Complete the electrical homeowners inspection request form within 180 days of the date the permit was issued. This form also contains an occupational health and safety checklist to help you identify other risks.
Or download and print the electrical homeowner permit form.
You may also be interested in a temporary construction operating permit.
Fees
See the fees for your permit.
What type of work needs a permit?
A gas homeowner permit is required anytime you do regulated gas work. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Installing or replacing all gas appliances such as a furnace, water heater, fireplace, boiler, range or cooktop
- Installing or replacing gas piping or vent systems
- Installing built-in gas barbecues
Replacing an existing plug-in style gas barbecue does not require a permit.
Who issues the permit?
Depending on where your property is located, Technical Safety BC or your municipality will issue the permit. Check your jurisdiction.
Apply for permits
If your property is in Technical Safety BC jurisdiction, here’s what you need to know when applying for a gas homeowner permit:
- Homeowners can apply for a gas homeowner permit.
- If you are hiring a licensed contractor, your contractor will apply for this permit on your behalf. Check to ensure there is one in place before work begins.
- Owners of a strata, non-strata duplex, and those operating a business from their home cannot obtain homeowner permits and must hire a licensed contractor to perform legal, permitted work. Learn more here.
- At each stage of construction, and after the work is completed, submit the gas homeowner inspection request form within 180 days of the date the permit was issued. This form also contains an occupational health and safety checklist to help you identify other risks.
Or download and print the gas homeowner permit form.
Fees
See the fees for your permit.
Why are permits needed?
Permits are a legal requirement in BC and often necessary for home insurance purposes. They give Technical Safety BC data and information to help with safety oversight in the province – your permit allows us to contact you or warn others of trends in unsafe work or hazards that may lead to an incident. Failure to obtain a permit where one is needed may result in enforcement action by Technical Safety BC.
