Request Original Building Drawings from the City of Abbotsford
A step-by-step guide to requesting building plans and property records from the City of Abbotsford through Legislative Services.
If you are planning a renovation, addition, or as-built survey in Abbotsford, BC, obtaining the original building drawings on file with the City is a vital step. While some information is routinely available, construction records and building plans typically require a formal request through the Legislative Services department. This guide walks you through the process of accessing those records.
Official City of Abbotsford Resources
This guide is based on the official City of Abbotsford source below, then organized into a practical step-by-step process.
- Primary source: City of Abbotsford Freedom of Information Page
- Key form: Request for Access to Records (FOI) Form (PDF)
- Legislation reference: Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA)
Request Original Building Drawings from the City of Abbotsford - Step by Step
- 1Verify Availability
- 2Prepare Your Request
- 3Submit the FOI Application
- 4Review Fees and Timeline
Step 1 - Verify Availability
Before submitting a formal request, it is often helpful to contact the City to see if records are routinely available for your property or if a formal FOI request is necessary.
- Email: foi@abbotsford.ca
- Phone: (604) 864-5575
- Location: Legislative Services, 5th Floor, Abbotsford City Hall, 32315 South Fraser Way.
Step 2 - Prepare Your Request
The City of Abbotsford requires specific details to process a search efficiently. Ensure you have the following:
- Detailed Description: Clearly state that you are looking for original building plans, structural drawings, or plumbing and site plans.
- Timeline: Specify the approximate age of the building or a date range for the records you are seeking.
- Contact Information: Include your full name and contact details so the City can respond.
Step 3 - Submit the FOI Application
You can submit your request through one of two methods:
- Online Form: Use the request for access to information portal linked from the City of Abbotsford Freedom of Information page.
- Email or Mail: Download the Request for Access to Records Form and email it to foi@abbotsford.ca.
Step 4 - Review Fees and Timeline
Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the City has 30 business days to respond to your request.
- Processing Time: The City has 30 business days to respond to your FOI request.
- Fees: While personal FOI requests may have no fees, requests for general property records may be subject to a fee estimate. The City will provide an estimate before processing the request if fees apply.
Abbotsford Building Records Request Summary
A quick checklist of eligibility, form completion, authorization, fees, and FOI escalation steps.
| Step | What to Do | Official Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Confirm Eligibility | Ensure the requester is the owner or authorized representative before requesting records. | Building Permits and Inspections |
| 2. Complete Request Form | Fill out the Request for Building Records form with complete property and applicant information. | Request for Building Records Form |
| 3. Provide Authorization | Attach owner or strata authorization when the requester is not the registered owner. | Authorization Requirements |
| 4. Submit and Pay Fees | Submit your package to the Building Permits team and pay any applicable retrieval fees. | Abbotsford Submission Details |
| 5. Use FOI for Non-Routine Records | Submit a formal FOI request if records are not available through routine release processes. | Abbotsford FOI |
No Drawings on File? Request a Comfort Letter
If original building drawings cannot be located, the City of Abbotsford Planning Services Division offers a Land Use Information Letter — commonly referred to as a Comfort Letter. It documents the current zoning, building permit history, and business licence records on file for a property, and is submitted as a separate request per PID.
- What it covers: Current zoning, building permit records on file, and business licence records. It does not include Fire Department or Fraser Health Authority information.
- Fees: $130 per PID for RS, RR, CR, SR, and A zones (residential). $350 per PID for all other zones (multi-family, commercial, industrial, institutional). Strata properties are charged per parent parcel, not per strata unit.
- Timeline: Allow up to 10 working days from receipt of payment. Requests are not processed until payment is received.
- Submission method: Complete the online form on the Land Use Information Letters page, or email planning-info@abbotsford.ca for a paper application.
- Payment: By cheque payable to the City of Abbotsford, Attention: Planning Services (2nd Floor), 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, BC V2T 1W7 — or by credit card via phone at (604) 864-5510, quoting "Land Use Information Letter" and your File Reference Number.
If you need building approval or occupancy records specifically, contact the Building Department directly at building-info@abbotsford.ca or (604) 864-5525, as the Land Use Information Letter does not include that information.
Canadian Blueprint can accurately reconstruct your floor plans so your renovation or addition can move forward with confidence. See As-Built Measuring for more information.
Need Help Reading or Using the Drawings?
Once you have obtained your original building drawings from the City of Abbotsford, a professional designer can help you interpret them, identify any discrepancies with the current as-built condition, and prepare updated permit drawings for your renovation or addition.
Contact Canadian Blueprint - we work with Abbotsford homeowners and contractors regularly and understand the local permit and documentation requirements inside and out.