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 PL-40).
• Written permission is required if the property is stratified. The strata executive or manager will write a letter of approval for 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.
• 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 on page 3 of the application form and review Electronic File Submission Requirements.
• Check for other permit application requirements, visit Other Applications and Approvals.
• Obtain a General Contractor who is licensed in the City of Richmond for Building Construction.
• Review the following:
  
  • Bulletin Building-55 – Rodent Abatement and Control Declaration
    
  • Bulletin Building-56 – Hazardous Materials Reporting and Abatement Requirements
  • Bulletin Tree-03 – Protection of Existing Trees During Demolition and Construction
    

For a complete list, visit Bulletins.

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 trees impacting demolition on the site including:
  • how many trees are to be retained/protected
  • how many trees are to be removed
  • the tree's location (site property, neighbouring property* or City property)
  • Location, description and reason why trees on City-owned land are requested for removal, if applicable.

*A separate Tree Permit Removal Application for the neighboring property tree removals is required.

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 (PL-40) signed by all property owners who are not the applicant; or
• If the property owner is a business:
  • A Letter of Authorization (PL-40), signed by a director, and
  • Notice of Articles.
• If the property was purchased within the last three months a notary or lawyer will provide a Freehold Transfer Form A

If known, the Demolition Contractor’s Richmond Business Licence Number or Metro-West Intermunicipal Business Licence Number* (*document upload required).

City Forms For Upload

Forms for initial submission:

• Letter of Authorization (PL-40) - 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 (PL-60)
  

Pre-issuance Forms:

• Site Security Fencing and Noise Bylaw Signage (Info-29)
• Rodent Abatement and Control Declaration (PL-56) (pre-issuance)
• Hazardous Material Abatement Declaration (PL-57) (pre-issuance)

After the Final Demolition Inspection is approved:

• Schedule B – Compliance Report, page 11
• This form and the original receipts (no copies) must be submitted in person at Richmond City Hall

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 in Zoning Bylaw 8500.
  • Select Part B for standard zone or Part C for a site specific zone to confirm building requirements and approved uses for your location.
• Seek written permission from all property owners (Letter of Authorization PL-40)
• 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.
• 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.  
• Confirm minimum parking requirements can be met (Section 7 - Zoning Bylaw 8500).
• Prepare all required plans and drawings identified on the application form and review Electronic File Submission Requirements. You do not need to submit an application form when appyling online.
• Check for other permit application requirements, visit Other Applications and Approvals.
• Review the following:
  • The Good Neighbour Program brochure
    
  • Bulletin Building-14 – Commercial Cooking Equipment
    
  • Bulletin Building-54 – Concurrent Applications
  • Bulletin Building-56 – Hazardous Materials Reporting and Abatement Requirements
    
  • Bulletin Permits-34 – Hazardous Gases, Dust, and Liquids
    
  • Bulletin Engineering-01 – Service Connection Requests
  • Zoning Bylaw 8500 Section 7 – Off Street Parking and Loading

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, including:

• 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

     – see Addition/Alteration Definitions Guide (PL-63).

Applicant, Owner and Contractor Information

• A Letter of Authorization (PL-40) - signed by all property owners who are not the appicant
  • If the applicant is the sole owner, a letter of authorization is not required.
• If the property owner is a business:
  • A Letter of Authorization (PL-40), signed by a director, and
  • Notice of Articles
• If the property was purchased within the last three months a notary or lawyer will provide a Freehold Transfer Form

City Forms For Upload

• Letter of Authorization (PL-40) – signed by all property owners who are not the applicant
  
  • 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
  • Must be digitally signed, sealed and verifiable
• Schedule B – must be digitally signed, sealed and verifiable
  
• Schedule E (PL-36) – required for each registered professional
  
• Schedule F (PL-36) – required when there are Registered Professionals
  
• Ministry of Environment – Site Disclosure Statement Form – additions only
  
• Hazardous Material Declaration Form (PL-57) – for pre-1990 buildings
  
• Food Cooking Occupancies (PL-10)        

   

• Damage Deposit Form (EPW-1) - additions only