Before You Apply
Before signing a lease or preparing your permit application, review the available application guides and confirm any site-specific requirements.
Before proceeding, applicants should:
- Check with the Planning Division to ensure the proposed business is permitted on the subject property.
- Check with the Integrated Services, in regards to any outstanding enforcement or orders pertaining to the site.
- Contact the Business License Office, for information regarding obtaining a business license, and any other additional requirements related to operating the business.
- For when there will be a change in occupancy, contact the Building Division, for possible Building Code related restrictions, or required upgrades.
- Prior to purchasing exterior signage, applicants should review the requirements of the Sign Bylaw with the Planning Division.
When Is a Permit Required?
Building Permits
A Building Permit is generally required for interior or exterior work in a commercial, industrial, or institutional building, including:
- Changing the use or occupancy of a tenant space
- Renovating, repairing, or adding to an existing building
- Constructing, removing, relocating, or altering interior walls
- Finishing previously unfinished areas within an existing tenant space
- Installing, altering, or upgrading a fire alarm system
- Installing an industrial spray booth
Plumbing and Sprinkler Permits
A Plumbing or Sprinkler Permit is required to:
- Install new plumbing fixtures
- Install, replace, or alter water, drain, waste, or vent piping
- Install a new fire sprinkler system
- Alter an existing fire sprinkler system
Sign Permits
A Sign Permit is generally required when installing new signage or altering existing signage for a business.
Examples may include:
- New fascia, wall-mounted, projecting, or freestanding signs
- Changes to existing signage
- Illuminated signs
- Directory signs
- Signs requiring structural support
Application Requirements
Please review the required documents and drawings outlined in the Tenant Improvement Permit Application Package. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and additional requirements may apply, depending on the size and scope of work.
Additional Requirements (as applicable):
- Professionals (Architects, Engineers, Code Consultants), may be required.
- A Code Analysis of the building may be required.
- Depending upon the extent of work being undertaken, changes may be required to accommodate the disabled.
- Engineering service upgrades may be required, depending on the cost and scope of work.
Fraser Health Authority Approvals
Fraser Health Authority approval will be required for several premise types, including, but not limited to;
Food Premises
- Restaurants
- Bakeries & Deli's
- Grocery Stores
- Butchers & Fishmongers
- Coffee & Espresso Bars
- Bars / Pubs / Taverns
- Food Processing Plants
Personal Service Establishments
- Hair Salons & Barbers
- Tanning Salons
- Tattoo & Body Piercing Studios
- Skin & Nail Care / Manicure & Pedicure Salons
- Spas
- Day Care / Child Care Facilities
Health approval should be applied for and received prior to proceeding with a building permit application.
The above is not an exhaustive list of premises. Please contact the Fraser Health Authority for more information.
Racking (Vertical Storage Systems)
Shelving Under 8 ft. 6 in.
The Building Division considers any vertical storage unit under 8 ft. 6 in. (floor to highest shelf) to be shelving, which does not require a building permit. Shelving is recommended to be fastened to the floor or wall, as per the manufacturers specifications.
Racking Over 8 ft. 6 in.
A vertical storage system over 8 ft. 6 in. in height is considered to be racking, and thus require a building permit to install and design review from a structural engineer. This will include the need of sealed structural drawings and a Schedule B from the structural engineer.
Apply for a Building Permit
Building permit applications can be submitted by email or online using the options below.
Apply By Email
Prepare Your Application
Download and complete the Tenant Improvement Permit Application Package and gather all required supporting documents and drawings.
Refer to the application package for a list of required submission materials. Additional documents may be required depending on the scope of work.
Submit Your Application
Email all completed forms, required documents, and drawings to bldapps@newwestcity.ca
Submission Requirements
- All documents must be attached as PDF files (no links).
- We do not accept documents shared via cloud-based services (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox).
- If your files are too large to email, please contact us to request access to our FileShare site.
Applications will be reviewed by staff once all required documentation has been received. Complete submissions will be accepted for processing.
Apply Online
Prepare Your Application
MyCity Account
You must register for or log in to your MyCity account before starting an application.
Required Documents
Required items include:
- Current Title Search (within 30 days)
- Letter of Authorization (if applying on behalf of owner)
- Company/Society Summary or Solicitor's Letter (if property is owned by a company)
- Consent of Strata (if applicable)
- Project drawings and other documents based on scope
Additional Permits and Approvals
Some projects require additional permits as part of this process. Depending on your scope of work, you may need to apply for a Tree Permit, or obtain precursor approvals such as Development Permits or Heritage Alteration Permits. If these are required, the system will prompt you to complete the relevant sections before you can continue.
Payment
A non-refundable application fee is required and must be paid by credit card at the time of submission.
File Guidelines
- Formats: PDF, DOCX, JPG, JPEG
- Max size: 10 MB per file
- Clear names (e.g., 123 Main St Site Plan.pdf)
- If too large: compress, split or convert.
Start Your Application
Choose a building category to start your application:
Tips For A Smooth Application
- Be prepared - review all requirements before starting the application
- Complete all fields marked with *
- Ensure you have a reliable internet connection, wait for each page to load fully and avoid using your browser's Back button, refreshing the page, or clicking Back/Continue repeatedly, as these actions can cause errors or duplicate submissions
- Double-check signatures and documents before submitting
Apply for a Sign Permit
If you are proposing new signage or altering existing signage for your business, a Sign Permit may be required.
Sign Bylaw
The Sign Bylaw regulates the installation, alteration, maintenance, and removal of signs within the City of New Westminster. Sign requirements vary depending on the property's zoning and the type of sign proposed.
Applicants should review the Sign Bylaw before designing, purchasing, or installing any signage. Please refer to Sign Bylaw No. 7867, 2017.
Window Signage/Decals
To help keep our retail commercial areas active and bright, please ensure any window signage or decals meet the Sign and Business Licence Bylaw requirements and are kept to 20% or less of the area of windows or glass doors.
This includes the area of all exterior windows and glass portions of doors belonging to the business that are along the street at the ground level. The windows must remain unobstructed during the operating hours of the business. This includes: signage, graphics, decals, frosting, or decorative grillwork placed in front of or behind storefront windows or doors, or any other manner of obscuring such that the interior of the premises is not visible from the exterior.
Starting April 2026, staff will be following up with businesses who continue to have signage or decals that are not in compliance with the bylaws. Fines for noncompliance may be up to $250 per day.
Mural Policy
Anyone interested in installing a mural should contact publicart@newwestcity.ca.
For murals proposed on buildings older than 50 years, please also contact plnpost@newwestcity.ca to confirm the building is not listed on the City’s Heritage Register, and not protected by a heritage designation bylaw or heritage revitalization agreement.
Murals that contain advertising (more than 10 percent of the copy area) may also require a sign permit.
Apply by Email
Prepare Your Application
Review information about sign permits in our Sign Permit Guide, then complete the required forms and gather any supporting documents needed for your application:
- Sign Permit Application Form
- Letter of Authorization Form (if applicable)
Submit Your Application
Email all completed forms, required documents, and drawings to bldapps@newwestcity.ca
Submission Requirements
- All documents must be attached as PDF files (no links).
- We do not accept documents shared via cloud-based services (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox).
- If your files are too large to email, please contact us to request access to our FileShare site.
Applications will be reviewed once all required documentation has been received. Complete submissions will be accepted for processing.
Apply Online
Prepare Your Application
MyCity Account
You must register for or log in to your MyCity account before starting an application.
Required Documents
- Current Title Search (within 30 days)
- Letter of Authorization (if applying on behalf of owner) and Consent of Strata (if applicable)
- Company/Society Summary or Solicitor’s Letter (if property is owned by a company)
- Sign Profile Form
- Site Plan and Graphic Drawings
- Other Documents (e.g. Structural Drawings and Schedule B) may be required based on project scope
Payment
A non-refundable application fee is required and must be paid by credit card at the time of submission.
File Guidelines
- Formats: PDF, DOCX, JPG, JPEG
- Max size: 10 MB per file
- Clear names (e.g., 123 Main St Site Plan.pdf)
- If too large: compress, split or convert.
Start Your Application
Tips For A Smooth Application
- Be prepared - review all requirements before starting the application
- Complete all fields marked with *
- Ensure you have a reliable internet connection, wait for each page to load fully and avoid using your browser's Back button, refreshing the page, or clicking Back/Continue repeatedly, as these actions can cause errors or duplicate submissions
- Double-check signatures and documents before submitting
Application Review Process
- Submit a Sign Permit application and pay the required fee.
- Provide all required plans and supporting documentation.
- The Planning Division reviews the proposal for Sign Bylaw compliance.
- The Building Division reviews the proposal for Building Code compliance.
- Structural engineering documents may be required depending on the sign type and size.
- A Street Occupancy Permit may be required if installation affects a City street or sidewalk.
- Once all requirements have been met, the permit will be issued.
- Engineered signs may require a post-installation assurance letter from the engineer of record.
- A final inspection may be required.
Sign Permit Frequently Asked Questions
Application Contacts
Note: The following email links open a new email composition window in a separate browser tab.
Planning Division
604-527-4532
Email: plnpost@newwestcity.ca
Building Division
604-527-4580
Email: buildingdept@newwestcity.ca