Building News and Alerts
Applications and other Building Inspections processes
With the restriction of public access to the Service and Resource Centre due to COVID-19 concerns, Building Inspections staff are working diligently on creating alternative methods for receiving applications, revisions, and other Building-related documents. We will post information on this page once we have processes in place to receive the documents, so please visit this page often for updates.
We are now accepting building permit applications electronically. Please send your application, appointment of agent, drawings, and all supporting documents to: bpapps@nanaimo.ca (for new applications ONLY; see below for revision applications). If your drawings are too large, please contact staff at 250-755-4429 to arrange a direct drop in our file-sharing site.
Note that photographs of documents are not acceptable - please send only in PDF format.
For Information on permit applications and to access to fillable forms:
All other documents that aren't for a permit application, including permit revisions, can still be sent to building.inspections@nanaimo.ca.
BC Energy Step Code
The BC Energy Step Code is currently a voluntary standard in the BC Building Code providing an incremental approach to obtaining energy-efficient buildings. Local governments can choose, however, to require or encourage builders to meet one or more steps of the Step Code as an alternative to the BC Building Code's requirements.
Provincial Step Code Goals:
Pathway to 2032: Part 9 (Homes)
Pathway to 2032: Part 3 (Wood-Frame Residential)
How many steps are there?
An amendment to the Building Bylaw was adopted during the 2019-OCT-21 Council meeting. The Building Bylaw amendment will phase in the BC Energy Step Code, beginning with Step One (Enhanced Compliance) starting 2020-APR-21.
City of Nanaimo Step Code Implementation Schedule
in the Building Bylaw:
| |
Part 9
Buildings
(Residential)
|
Part 3
Buildings
|
|
Step One
(Enhanced Compliance)
|
2020-APR-21
Perform Energuide or Energy Modeling
to current BCBC requirements |
2020-APR-21
Conform to Part 8 of the NECB |
Step Two
|
2021-JAN-02
10% greater than current BCBC requirements |
2022-JAN-02
20% to 40% greater than current BCBC requirements |
Step Three
|
2022-JAN-02
20% greater than current BCBC requirements |
TBD |
Enhanced Compliance means the builder will need to complete energy modeling and energy benchmark assessments for their projects. The builder's energy advisor will use energy modelling software and on-site testing to demonstrate that both their design and the constructed building meet Step Code requirements.
Below are compliance report forms produced by the BC Energy Step Code Council for pre-construction and as-built stages of a project. Your energy advisor will fill out the pre-construction form, which is to be submitted with your building permit application. The as-built form completed by your Energy Advisor will be required prior to occupancy approval.
For more Information:
Further information and details on how the Energy Step Code will affect the building permit process will be posted in the near future.
Interested in rebates? Check out cleanBC for available rebates
Questions about the implementation strategy?
Contact: Rob Lawrance, Environmental Planner
Phone: 250-755-4429
Email: rob.lawrance@nanaimo.ca
Questions about the Building Bylaw amendment?
Contact: Darcy Fox, Manager, Building Inspections
Phone: 250-755-4456
Email: darcy.fox@nanaimo.ca
Permit application processing times
Please be advised that due to current volumes of permit applications received, target application processing times are not being met. Staff continue to work diligently and are processing applications as quickly as possible. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, but appreciate your patience during this time.