Greater Victoria's biggest municipality publishes its fee schedule in black and white — rare and welcome. Here it is, decoded, plus the naming confusion that sends applications to the wrong town hall.
Start with the trap unique to this corner of the Island: there are three Saaniches. The District of Saanich (borders Victoria — this guide), the District of Central Saanich (Brentwood Bay, Saanichton), and the District of North Saanich (near the airport and ferry terminal). Three separate councils, three permit offices, three fee schedules. A "Saanich" address on the Peninsula is probably not District of Saanich. Check your tax notice or use our Permit Finder before you apply anywhere.
Saanich charges two stacked fees — an application fee tiered by project size, plus a permit fee per $1,000 of construction value:
| Project Value | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Under $15,000 | $100 |
| $15,001 – $100,000 | $300 |
| $100,001 – $500,000 | $1,000 |
| $500,001 – $2,000,000 | $3,000 |
| $2M – $10M | $7,500 |
| Over $10M | $15,000 |
| Permit Fee | Rate |
|---|---|
| Value $1,000 or less | $100 minimum |
| $1,001 – $499,999 | $13.00 per $1,000 of value |
| $500,000 and up | $10.00 per $1,000 of value |
Worked example: a $50,000 renovation costs $300 (application) + $650 (permit at $13/$1,000) = $950 all-in before any specialty fees. Budget accordingly — Saanich's effective rate (~1.9% on that example) runs higher than most Island neighbours.
Typical residential permits run 4–10 weeks from a complete application; complex projects and anything touching environmental development-permit areas (Saanich has many — creeks, Garry oak, steep slopes) run longer because that review happens first. Alternative-solution code reviews add $550 for the initial review. As everywhere in BC: the clock starts when your application is deemed complete, not when you drop it off.
| Purpose | Contact |
|---|---|
| Inspection Services | 250-475-5430 |
| Municipal Hall | 770 Vernon Ave, Victoria, BC V8X 2W7 |
| Online | saanich.ca → Inspection Services |