981 Artisan Lane
Bowen Island, B.C. V0N 1G0
Tel: 604-947-4255 Fax: 604-947-0562
Joldine Lee, Building Inspector – jlee@bimbc.ca
Sandi Laudrum, Building Inspection Clerk – slaudrum@bimbc.ca
Building & Planning Clerk:
Monday to Friday 8:30 to 4:30 - no coverage at lunch.
Building Inspectors Hours:
Tuesday & Friday - Office: AM to noon Inspections: 1:00-4:00
Building Permits are required for, but not limited to, any new construction demolition, alteration or addition to a structure, accessory building, deck more than 600mm (2ft) above grade, swimming pool and retaining walls 1.5m (5ft) or higher.
Sub-trade permits are required for plumbing installations, except when plumbing is included in the Building Permit. Sub-trade permits are also required for gas and electrical installations and are issued by the Gas and Safety Branch and the Electrical Safety Branch.
In some cases, a Development Permit may be required (see Planning Department).
A registered property owner or agent for the property owner may apply for the building permit Building Permit Application Form. Submitted building plans must comply with zoning regulations, the Bowen Island Municipality Building Bylaw and the B.C. Building Code.
A building permit may expire if work is not commenced within 12 months from the date of issuance and if work is discontinued for a period of 12 months or more. It is the responsibilty of the property owner or his/her agent to call for the required inspections.
Schedule of Inspections Normally Required for a Construction Project:
- Site and Forms: at this time a copy of a legal site survey is required to show the position of the forms relative to the lot lines, streams, easements, high water mark of tidal water, etc.
- Plumbing Under Slab: before leveling and installing vapour barrier.
- Drain Tile and Water Line Connection: prior to backfilling.
- Basement/Crawl Space Floor: after leveling and installing vapour barrier and before pouring slab.
- Plumbing: before covering any part of the plumbing system.
- Framing: at the framing inspection all levels including the roof and decks should be framed up. Further, stairways should be roughed-in. Chimney chases, drop ceilings and firestops are to be completed. Windows and exterior doors should be installed. All other services need to be roughed-in at the framing inspection this includes rough-in plumbing, heating, air conditioning, sprinkler systems (if required), electrical work and any structural members which require an engineers certificate before being covered by insulation.
- Vapour Barrier and Insulation.
- Final: covering all safety issues and including such items as handrails, guardrails, protection of all vapour barrier, finising of kitchen and bathroom flooring, and installation of deadbolts on all exterior doors. Other finishing work, for example kitchen cabinets, is not inspected. However one bathroom must be functional with a locking door, and one kitchen sink must be functional.
Other inspections may be required from time to time. An Occupancy Certificate is issued after completion of new residences and buildings Requirements for an Occupancy Certificate. A Letter of Completion is issued after all other work is done under the building permit. Completion deposits will be returned after an Occupancy Certificate or Letter of Completion has been issued.
Building Statistics: 2003 - 2009
Information Bulletin - New Green Requirements in the BC Building Code:
(More information will be available from the Building Inspector, as received.)
Example of a Site Plan:
Information on Building a Deck Addition on Bowen Island:
Retaining Walls/Structures:
Books Available from our Library:
- The Bowen Island Building Inspection Department has added several new titles to their resource library to view list click here.
