Request Original Building Drawings from the District of North Vancouver
A step-by-step guide to accessing original building records in the District of North Vancouver.
If you are planning a renovation, addition, or as-built survey in the District of North Vancouver (DNV), obtaining original building drawings is a standard requirement. The District allows property owners, authorized agents, and strata corporations to request digital copies of building permit plans.
This guide walks you through the process of accessing those records.
Official District of North Vancouver Resources
- DNV Building Department: 355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver, BC V7N 4N5.
- Request for Building Permit Plans Form: District of North Vancouver Request for Building Permit Plans (PDF).
- Building Permit Search Tool: Look up building and trades permits dating back to 1992.
Request Original Building Drawings from the District of North Vancouver — Step by Step
- 1Verify Your Permit Information
- 2Complete the Request Form
- 3Provide Authorization
- 4Review Fees and Submit
Step 1 — Verify Your Permit Information
Before submitting a formal request, use the District's online search tool to find the building permit number(s) associated with your address. For permits older than 1992, contact Development Services directly for a historical search.
Step 2 — Complete the Request Form
Download and fill out the Request for Building Permit Plans Form. Specify the exact plan types you need:
- Architectural and site plans
- Structural drawings
- Mechanical, plumbing, and sprinkler drawings
- Electrical and landscape plans
Step 3 — Provide Authorization
To comply with privacy regulations, the District requires specific proof of authority:
- Property owners: Must sign the declaration section of the form.
- Agents/designers: The owner must complete the Authorization section of the request form, appointing you as agent to view or receive plans.
- Corporate owners: Must include proof of signing authority (such as a Director Search). A $38.00 corporate search fee applies.
Step 4 — Review Fees and Submit
The District charges for both the search and duplication of records:
- Digital copy of electronic permits: $50.00 per permit.
- Historical permit search (single-family residential): $160.90.
- Historical permit search (commercial/multi-family): $320.30 per building.
- Hourly rate: Searches exceeding three hours are charged an additional $107.00/hour.
Submit your completed form and any supporting documents by email to building@dnv.org.
District of North Vancouver Building Records Request Summary
A quick checklist of permit lookup, form, authorization, fees, and submission.
| Step | What to Do | Official Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Verify Permit Information | Search the District's permit database for your address to find the building permit number(s). For permits older than 1992, contact Development Services directly. | Building Permit Search Tool |
| 2. Complete the Request Form | Download and fill out the Request for Building Permit Plans Form. Specify plan types: architectural, structural, mechanical, plumbing/sprinkler, electrical, or landscape. | Request for Building Permit Plans (PDF) |
| 3. Provide Authorization | Owners sign the declaration. Agents need the owner to complete the Authorization section. Corporate owners include a Director Search ($38.00 fee). | Authorization Requirements |
| 4. Review Fees and Submit | Digital copy: $50/permit. Historical SFR search: $160.90. Commercial/multi-family: $320.30/building. Over 3 hrs: $107.00/hr additional. | building@dnv.org |
No Drawings Available? Request a Comfort Letter
In the District of North Vancouver, the Comfort Letter equivalent is a Zoning Compliance Letter.
- Request method: Email building@dnv.org with civic address, PID, and legal description.
- Typical fee: Approximately $160.90 for a single-family residential search (confirm current bylaw rates).
- Typical timeline: About 4 weeks.
- Typical details included: Community Plan designation, zoning, heritage status, occupancy certificate details, and building or trades permits issued since 1992.
If original drawings are unavailable, request a Zoning Compliance Letter to document legal property status. If no drawings exist and a comfort letter is not sufficient for your project, 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?
Historical District of North Vancouver plans can be complex, especially those retrieved from microfilm. These records may not always reflect the final as-built state of the property.
Contact Canadian Blueprint — we regularly work with District of North Vancouver homeowners and contractors. We can help you navigate the search process, interpret historical structural records, and convert these digital files into accurate, modern CAD drawings for your upcoming renovation or addition.