Oak Bay, Greater Victoria
Renovations and builds in Oak Bay
Most Oak Bay homes were built in 1960 or before, many on rock that has to be broken before a foundation goes in. We renovate these older houses and build suites and additions, starting with a free quote.
Oak Bay · Greater Victoria
Free written quotes
After a site visit, with what is fixed and what is an allowance.
One contract
One point of contact, from quote to final walkthrough.
Licensed trade partners
Electrical, plumbing and gas, under our management.
Victoria to the Lower Mainland
Greater Victoria, up-Island and Metro Vancouver.
Oak Bay’s older houses
In the 2021 Census, 59.0% of Oak Bay’s occupied homes were built in 1960 or before. That is nearly double Victoria’s share. Only 7.7% date from 2001 or later, and 63.0% are single-detached houses.
If you own a house in the Uplands, plan for an extra approval. The Uplands has its own Uplands Regulations Bylaw under the Special Powers Act of 1935. The District must approve any exterior work there before it issues a building permit, and infill goes through the Uplands Design Guidelines and a separate siting and design process.
- 63.0% single-detached houses
- 22.2% apartments under five storeys
- 59.0% built in 1960 or before
- 24.1% built 1961 to 1980
Oak Bay rules for suites, infill and heritage
Construction or structural work worth $500 or more needs a building permit. A secondary suite must be inside the main house, not linked by a breezeway, and you can have one per home. The owner must live on site. You need no extra parking, but the home needs an outdoor, labelled, powered outlet for electric vehicles, scooters or bikes.
Council adopted the Infill Housing Program on June 24, 2024. Parcels of 280 m² or less allow up to 3 units and larger parcels up to 4. Garden suites and carriage houses count as accessory dwelling units. One or two units generally need only a building permit, while three or four need a form-and-character development permit. Heritage-designated parcels allow up to 2 units unless a Heritage Revitalization Agreement allows more.
The Prospect Heritage Conservation Area covers York Place, San Carlos Avenue, Prospect Place, Broom Road and parts of Beach Drive and Oak Bay Avenue. Owners there need Heritage Alteration Permits for substantial changes.
The District says it adopted new standards in 2024 requiring new buildings to be highly efficient with low carbon emissions. Its climate page does not list the step levels, so confirm them with the District.
- Tree Protection Bylaw 4742 needs a permit for any Garry oak, arbutus, Pacific yew, black hawthorn, shore pine or Pacific dogwood over 4 cm in diameter.
- The District’s 2026 guide sets 30 cm for other trees, but older documents say 60 cm. As of October 2026, confirm the number with Oak Bay Parks.
- A Garry oak you remove must be replaced with a Garry oak.
- A building permit often needs a Tree Management Plan.
- Inspections: [email protected], 250-598-2042 ext. 7496
Building permits: District of Oak Bay: building permits
Neighbourhoods we cover in Oak Bay
- Oak Bay Village
- Estevan
- Uplands
- Willows Beach
- McNeill Bay
- The Prospect
In the Uplands, the District must approve any exterior work before it issues a building permit, under a bylaw rooted in the Special Powers Act of 1935.
Rock breaking and drainage
The District says Oak Bay’s rocky terrain often means excavation before construction can begin. Under Blasting and Rock Breaking Bylaw No. 4958, you need a permit for blasting and for most rock breaking over 10 m³, including hoe-ramming with no explosives. When the work serves a building, the building permit has to be issued first.
Drain tile work needs a dye test to confirm the connection to the storm drain. Oak Bay’s new community plan was still at second reading in late 2025. Its draft adds a shoreline development permit area, so ask the District what applies if your lot is on the water.
Oak Bay: common questions
Sources
Statistics Canada, 2021 Census Profile: Oak Bay, District municipality (DM) · Statistics Canada, 2021 Census Profile: Victoria, City (CY) · District of Oak Bay: Building Permits · District of Oak Bay: Building Bylaws · District of Oak Bay: Secondary Suites · District of Oak Bay: Infill Housing · District of Oak Bay: Infill Housing How-To Guide (March 2026) · District of Oak Bay: Heritage Area · District of Oak Bay: Tree Protection Bylaw 4742 · District of Oak Bay: Blasting and Rock Breaking · District of Oak Bay: Climate Action · District of Oak Bay: OCP Bylaw 4942, 2025 (second reading). Checked 2026-10-30.
Services
What we build in Oak Bay
More of Greater Victoria · How we run a job
Plumbing & gas fitting
Repairs, repiping, fixtures, hot water tanks, gas lines and appliance hookups, by licensed trades.
Bathroom renovations
Tub-to-shower conversions, waterproofing, tile, fixtures and fans vented to the outside.
Windows & doors
Replacement windows, exterior doors and patio doors, flashed properly into the wall.
Drainage & perimeter drains
Camera inspection, cleaning, repair and replacement of foundation perimeter drains.
Heat pumps & HVAC
Ducted and ductless heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, furnaces and fuel switching, sized to the house.
Free quotes
Ready to plan your Oak Bay project?
Describe the work and tell us if you’re in the Uplands or The Prospect. We’ll email you to confirm your free quote visit.