New Builds and Renovations

E-permitting applications will be accepted starting on April 29, 2025 (link coming).

Here’s what to expect:

1. Applicants will need to create an online profile in the City’s new e-permitting system by clicking the “Sign Up” link.

2. Once your account is set up you can create a new application.

3. Upload files or check on the status of your submission at any time, including outside of business hours.

Staff will be available in-person to assist applicants with the new e-permitting system at the Land and Building Services office, located in the Calcite Business Centre at Unit #6 – 151 Industrial Road.

Applicants can also continue to submit paper applications for building and development permits until the end of 2025.

NOTE: Starting in January 2026, the City will move to the new e-permitting system exclusively, and paper applications will no longer be accepted for building and development permits.

For more information contact Colin LaForme at colin.laforme@whitehorse.ca or call 867-689-9972.

The City is encouraging builders and developers to secure a pre-approved model design for single and duplex home building projects. Implementing a City-wide program of pre-approved ‘model designs’ was a core recommendation put forward in the 2024 Building Permit Backlog Review.

A pre-approved, Building Code compliant, house model can serve as a ‘repeat’ that can be efficiently positioned on multiple legal lots across Whitehorse.

The City is now accepting submissions from home builders to secure pre-approval for single/duplex models. At this time, the program does not allow for pre-approvals on townhouses. Please email any questions regarding pre-approved plans to repeatplans@whitehorse.ca

Repeat Model Plans — Submission Checklist for Pre-Approval

A Building Permit authorizes you to perform work regulated by the Building and Plumbing Bylaw.

Building permits are required for new construction, additions and alterations, installation of wood or oil heating appliances*, changes of occupancy, and demolition/relocation of all or part of a building. For additional clarity, work requiring a building permit includes, but is not limited to:

• Constructing an accessory building or accessory structure greater than 10 square metres
• Repairing, renovating or adding to an existing building
• Removing, relocating, altering or constructing interior walls
• Completing a previously unfinished area in an existing building (basement, carport, etc.)
• Constructing a porch or sundeck
• Covering or enclosing a porch or sundeck
• Demolishing, relocating or moving a building
• Placing or removing a mobile/manufactured home
• Installing an oil burning appliance and tank, chimney, wood/pellet stove, and furnace
• Installing a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV)

A building permit is not required for:

• Building a fence
• Painting
• Roofing repairs and re-roofing (nothing structural)
• Exterior finish maintenance, repair, or replacement
• Replacing deck boards – as long as size of deck is not changing
• Accessory structures less than 10 m² in area (placement of accessory structures must comply with Zoning Bylaw setback, height and site coverage regulations – review our handout for an overview of residential accessory development regulations)

A plumbing permit is required to construct, extend, alter, renew, or repair a plumbing system, or to connect to a sewer. A plumbing permit is not required when a valve, faucet, fixture or service water heater is repaired or replaced, a stoppage cleared or a leak repaired if no change to the piping is required.

*Permits for propane and electric heating systems are issued separately by Government of Yukon Building Safety Branch.

Complete applications can be submitted by email, mail or in person. Once the application has been reviewed and is ready for approval, LBS staff will contact you to make arrangements for payment of the application fees and signing the permit(s).

How to submit by email:

• Send complete application by email to adminbuilding@whitehorse.ca.
• Completed application forms may be scanned and attached to the email.
• Supporting documents (plans, etc.) may be attached in PDF format. If too large to attach to an email, a link may be provided to download the documents from a cloud service. Photographs of plans are not accepted.
• Visit our Application Forms page for all application forms, including checklists for a complete application, and example plans.

How to submit by mail or in person:

• Application forms and plans may be submitted in person to our office at 6-151 Industrial Road, or by mail to City of Whitehorse, Land & Building Services, 2121 2nd Avenue, Whitehorse YT Y1A 1C2.
• One printed set of supporting documents must be included. The Building Inspector may require that a digital set of plans in PDF format also be provided.

DEFINITION: excavation, servicing, footings, foundation wall to sill plate and no further. Does NOT include backfill or insulation.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Place checkbox on our Building Permit Application to identify interest.
• Confirm Development Permit is issued by providing the permit number.
• Provide a FULL and COMPLETE Building Permit application, including:
  • The Building Permit application fee is paid when the Foundation-only permit is applied for;
  • sealed structural drawings for full build if required for the framing system proposed; and
  • Geotechnical Letter of Assurance and design for frost protection, as required.
• Applications are then placed in the queue.
• A Building Permit review is then completed and if no structural related issues or application deficiencies are found beyond missing minor information, then a Foundation-only Permit may be considered.
• The FULL building permit fee for the project. will be required upon issuance of the Foundation-only Permit.

NOTICE

• If the builder goes beyond scope of the Foundation-only Permit, then a ‘Stop Work’ order will be issued, double permit fees will apply, and no inspection will take place until all fees are paid.

FEES

• Standard BP application fees apply

Please email inquirybuilding@whitehorse.ca if you have any questions on these requirements.

1. NBC Part 9 Overview and Permit Submission Requirements (video link)
   1. Presentation slides (PDF)
2. Excavation, Footings/Foundations, Radon and Drainage (video link)
   1. Presentation slides (PDF)
3. Framing, including S406-16 PWF (video link)
   1. Presentation slides (PDF) 
4. Fire Protection (video link)
   1. Presentation slides (PDF) 

For more information please contact adminbuilding@whitehorse.ca.