PermitWave Academy
Learn what your project may need before you apply.
Searchable permit guides for homeowners, builders, business owners, designers, and project teams across British Columbia.
Featured
Essential permit guides
Start with the highest-value permit topics: suites, commercial use changes, and energy-code requirements.
Secondary Suite Permit Guide
A practical BC guide for homeowners planning to build or legalize a secondary suite, including zoning, fire separation, exits, parking, permits, inspections, and common document requirements.
Change of Use Permit Guide
A BC-focused guide for owners and tenants changing how a commercial space is used, including retail to daycare, office to medical, warehouse to gym, restaurant conversions, occupancy classification, code triggers, and permit documents.
BC Energy Code Guide
A practical guide to BC energy requirements, Energy Step Code, Zero Carbon Step Code, energy advisors, airtightness testing, modelling, documentation, and common permit issues.
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Residential
22 guides available
Commercial
11 guide available
Energy Code
11 guide available
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Academy library
New guides will automatically appear here as PermitWave Academy grows.
Residential
July 2026Secondary Suite Permit Guide
A practical BC guide for homeowners planning to build or legalize a secondary suite, including zoning, fire separation, exits, parking, permits, inspections, and common document requirements.
Commercial
July 2026Change of Use Permit Guide
A BC-focused guide for owners and tenants changing how a commercial space is used, including retail to daycare, office to medical, warehouse to gym, restaurant conversions, occupancy classification, code triggers, and permit documents.
Energy Code
July 2026BC Energy Code Guide
A practical guide to BC energy requirements, Energy Step Code, Zero Carbon Step Code, energy advisors, airtightness testing, modelling, documentation, and common permit issues.
Residential
July 2026Do I Need a Building Permit for My Renovation in BC?
Understand when renovation work may require a building permit in British Columbia.