Contractors in Central Saanich

Central Saanich infill, energy and permits

Two zones replaced the old residential zones. Residential Neighbourhood, which covers most land inside the boundary, allows 3 or 4 units by lot size. Residential Corridor, along main roads, allows 4, 6 or 8. The District says that on the average lot only two buildings are allowed, but they can hold suites for up to four units. Detached units are called accessory cottages and carriage houses, and infill may need a development permit before the building permit.

New homes must meet Energy Step 3 and Zero Carbon Step Code level 4, which typically means a fully electric building. If you build above the required step, the District refunds 25% of your building permit fee for Step 4 and 100% for Step 5.

Building and plumbing permits are online only. Plumbing permits are separate and cover new or altered plumbing, irrigation included. New houses, additions and renovations that remove walls need engineered design for earthquake elements.

• Permit trees: over 30 cm in diameter, plus any arbutus, Pacific dogwood, Pacific yew, Garry oak, shore pine or trembling aspen.
• Any tree in a development permit area, the Erosion District or an environmentally sensitive area is a permit tree.
• Dead or dying permit trees still need a permit.
• Each permit tree removed must be replaced with three trees.
• Pruning branches over 10 cm on a permit tree needs a permit unless a certified arborist does it.

Building permits: District of Central Saanich: residential permits