Nine electoral areas, one regional district, and a 30-metre stream setback that surprises more builders than any fee ever has.
The Cowichan Valley Regional District issues permits for the nine electoral areas outside the incorporated municipalities — Duncan, North Cowichan, Lake Cowichan, and Ladysmith all run their own departments. Rural property? You're CVRD. Building Bylaw No. 4433 governs the process. (The 322-page comprehensive zoning rewrite, Bylaw 4710, is paused until after the October 2026 election — build under current rules, but know the ground may shift.)
Most additions, new buildings, structural changes, decks over certain heights, plumbing changes, and secondary suites. Re-roofing with the same materials typically doesn't need one.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application fee (project under $50k) | $100 |
| Application fee (project over $50k) | $250 |
| Building permit (renovations/alterations) | ≈1% of estimated construction value |
| Payment | Cash, debit, or cheque to CVRD — no credit cards |
Rear setback in residential zones: 7.5 metres (about 25 feet). Riparian setback: 30 metres from any stream, lake, or wetland — and on Cowichan Valley acreage, there's water almost everywhere. Development Variance Permits exist, but they're discretionary and can simply be denied. Walk your property line against a site survey before you fall in love with a building location.
The CVRD application form, a site plan showing the lot with existing and proposed buildings and setbacks, building drawings (floor plans, elevations, sections, foundation), estimated construction value, professional letters where required, and mechanical/plumbing/electrical plans if applicable. Inspections follow at foundation, framing, plumbing rough-in, insulation, and final.
| Purpose | Contact |
|---|---|
| Office | CVRD, 175 Ingram St, Duncan, BC V9L 1N8 |
| inspections@cvrd.bc.ca | |
| Web | cvrd.ca → Planning & Development → Building Inspection |