Commercial and Industrial Buildings

Demolition is the process of safely taking down and removing an existing building or structure from a property. It involves full removal of the building and is typically done to allow for repair, replacement, or new development on the site.

Tips for your application:

• Demolition Permits are required for structures 108 sq ft (10 m2) and larger.
• Seek written permission from the property owners (Letter of Authorization).
• Pay all taxes, fees and violations in advance for the property. To check if you have outstanding payments, contact the Tax Department at 604-276-4145.
• If your property is rented, visit Types of Evictions for more information on your responsibilities as a landlord.
• Applications involving a strata corporation that is registered on title must be dissolved prior to new construction.
• Prepare all required plans and drawings identified in the application checklist and review Electronic File Submission Requirements.
• Check for other permit application requirements, visit Other Applications and Approvals
• Review the following:
  
  • Building 55 - Rodent Abatement and Control Declaration
    
  • Building 56 – Hazardous Materials Reporting and Abatement Requirements
  • Tree 03 – Protection of Existing Trees During Demolition and Construction
    

Information you need before applying

Review the information you need to prepare before starting your online application.

Property and site information

• Main address of property, number of buildings on site and square footage of the buildings
• Information about the tree’s impacting demolition on the site including:
  • how many are to be retained/protected
  • how many are to be removed
  • their location (site property, neighbouring property* or City property)
  • Location, description and reason why City trees are requested for removal, if applicable.

*A separate Tree Permit Removal Application for the neighboring property tree removals is required. This application is not available online, visit Tree Protection Bylaw.

Applicant, Owner and Contractor Information

You must have permission from the property owners before submitting an application.  Prepare one of the following:

• A Letter of Authorization signed by all property owners; or
• If the property was purchased within the last three months a notary or lawyer will provide a Freehold Transfer Form
• If the property owner is a business:
  • A letter of authorization, and
  • Notice of Articles.
• If known, the Demolition Contractor’s Richmond Business Licence Number or Metro-West Intermunicipal Business Licence Number* (*document upload required).

Submission Checklists

If you are applying online through MyPermit, refer to the application checklist for submission and document requirements.

Submit all applicable application documents, including the Demolition Application Form to Richmond City Hall or in ONE email to BuildingApplications@richmond.ca.

Forms For Upload

Forms for initial submission:

• Letter of Authorization - signed by all property owners
  • If the applicant is the sole owner, a letter of authorization is not required.
• Freehold Transfer Form A - if ownership changed within 3 months of the application
• Proof of Strata Approval - if property is stratified
  
• Housing Declaration Form
  
• Pre-issuance Forms:
  • Rodent Abatement and Control Declaration (pre-issuance)
  • Hazardous Material Abatement Declaration (pre-issuance)

Coming soon.

A building permit for tenant improvements allows for renovations and alterations within an existing building or commercial space. This may include:

• structural or non‑structural changes,

• modifications to interior layouts,

• upgrades to building systems (such as electrical, mechanical, gas or plumbing),

• accessibility improvements; and,

• change of use/occupancy for the space.

All work is undertaken to improve or adapt the space for the tenant’s needs must comply with applicable building codes and zoning regulations.  

Tips for your application

• Prior to making an application or to change the use of a property, review the zoning regulations. Select part B for standard zone or C for a site specific zone to confirm building requirements and approved uses for your location.
• Seek written permission from the property owners (Letter of Authorization)
• Written permission is required if the property is stratified. The strata executive or manager will write a letter of approval of the scope of work. 
• Pay all taxes, fees and violations in advance for the property.
  • To check if you have outstanding payments, contact the Tax Department at 604-276-4145. Pay at city hall.
• Retain an architect or building code consultant to review the existing building for any  necessary upgrades. A change in occupancy in a building may trigger upgrades that can be cost prohibitive or impractical to achieve in an existing building.
• Prepare all required plans and drawings identified in the application checklist and review Electronic File Submission Requirements.
• Check for other permit application requirements, visit Other Applications and Approvals.
• Review the following:
  • The Good Neighbour Program
    
  • Building 14 - Commercial Cooking Equipment
  • Building 54 – Concurrent Applications
  • Building 56 – Hazardous Materials Reporting and Abatement Requirements
    
  • Permits 34 – Hazardous Gases, Dust, and Liquids
    
  • Engineering 1 – Service Connection Requests
  • Zoning Bylaw - Off Street Parking and Loading
• For a complete list of bulletins, visit Bulletins.

Information you need before applying

Review the information you need to collect before starting your application.

Existing site and building information

Provide details about the current conditions on the subject property, incluing:

• Address of property
  
• Identify if any of the following applications have been made for the subject site:
  • Rezoning Application, Subdivision Permit, Servicing Agreement, Demolition Permit
    • Permit numbers are not required.
  • Development Permit or Development Variance Permit
    • Permit number is required.
    • If you are unsure, you can contact zoning@richmond.ca.

Proposed construction details

Provide information about the proposed development, including:

• Approximate cost of the project including the cost of plans, labour, fees, taxes, profit, consulting, construction management, materials, insurance, etc.
  • Do not include costs for finishing touches such as furniture, fixtures, appliances.
• Details about the proposed building including:
  • The proposed size of additions and whether the floor area ratio will increase
    • Floor Area Ratio maximums can be found within the Zoning Bylaw
  • The intended use of the property such as food preparation, personal services, or childcare.

     

  • The location of the proposed work (interior or exterior)

  • Whether any structural, non-structural, building systems, and lot improvements will be involved.

Applicant, Owner and Contractor Information

• A Letter of Authorization signed by all property owners
  • If the applicant is the sole owner, a letter of authorization is not required.
• If the property was purchased within the last three months, a notary or lawyer will provide a Freehold Transfer Form.
• If the property owner is a business:
  • A letter of authorization, and
  • Notice of Articles

Submission Checklists

Forms For Upload

• Letter of Authorization - signed by all property owners
  • If the applicant is the sole owner, a letter of authorization is not required
• Freehold Transfer Form A - if ownership changed within 3 months of application
• Proof of Strata approval – if property is stratified
  
• Schedule A - required when there is more than one registered professional
• Schedule B - Must be digitally signed, sealed and verifiable
• Schedule E - required for each registered professional
• Schedule F - Required when there are Registered Professionals
• Zoning Regulation Summary - Additions only
  
• Ministry of Environment – Site Disclosure Statement Form - Additions only
• Hazardous Material Declaration Form - for pre-1990 buildings
• Food Cooking Occupancies
• Traffic and Parking Plan During Construction 

   

• Damage Deposit Form