Get Original Building Plans from the City of Port Moody
A step-by-step guide to requesting original house plans and construction drawings from the City of Port Moody.
If you are planning a renovation, addition, or as-built survey in Port Moody, BC, obtaining original building drawings from the City can save significant time and cost. Port Moody handles these requests through a combination of online portals and the Freedom of Information (FOI) process, depending on the detail required.
This guide walks you through the exact process to access those records.
Official City of Port Moody Resources
- Property Information Portal (eServices): Access property tax, utility, and building permit application history.
- Open Data Portal: Permit and building application datasets and statistics.
- FOI Request Page: Freedom of Information process and requirements.
- FOIPPA (BC Law): Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Request Original Building Drawings from the City of Port Moody — Step by Step
- 1Check Online Records First
- 2Start with an Informal Inquiry
- 3Submit a Formal Request (If Required)
- 4Review Fees and Timeline
Step 1 — Check Online Records First
Before submitting a formal request, check the Property Information Portal. You may be able to view permit history and basic application details. For current or recent applications, use the City's building and renovating resources.
Step 2 — Start with an Informal Inquiry
Most building information can be requested without a formal FOI filing. Contact Building Division or Legislative Services to see whether the drawings you need can be released informally.
- Email: foi@portmoody.ca or building@portmoody.ca
- Phone: (604) 469-4534 (Building Division) or (604) 469-4505 (Legislative Services)
- In-person: City Hall, 100 Newport Drive, Port Moody, BC
Step 3 — Submit a Formal Request (If Required)
If records are not routinely available, submit a formal request with your full name, address, and a detailed description of the drawings (for example, original architectural and structural drawings for a specific property address).
- Online form: Freedom of Information Request Form
- Email: foi@portmoody.ca
Step 4 — Review Fees and Timeline
Formal FOI requests typically take up to 30 business days to process.
- Search fees: No charge for the first 3 hours; after that, $7.50 per 15 minutes ($30/hour), consistent with FOIPPA fee provisions.
- Reproduction fees (Fees Bylaw):
- Plans (first page, full size): $39.30
- Subsequent pages: $18.50 per page
- Digital transfer of plans: $28.60
City of Port Moody Building Records Request Summary
A quick checklist of online checks, inquiry steps, FOI submission, and fee timelines.
| Step | What to Do | Official Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Check Online Records First | Review property and permit information through eServices and building application resources before requesting detailed files. | Property Information Portal (eServices) |
| 2. Start with an Informal Inquiry | Ask Building Division or Legislative Services if your requested drawings are available without formal FOI processing. | foi@portmoody.ca |
| 3. Submit Formal FOI (If Needed) | Use the online FOI form or email a detailed request including property address and the specific drawings needed. | Online FOI Request Form |
| 4. Fees and Timeline | Timeline: up to 30 business days. Search: no fee first 3 hours, then $7.50 per 15 minutes. Plans: $39.30 first full-size page, $18.50 subsequent pages, digital transfer $28.60. | City Fees Bylaw |
No Drawings Available? Request a Comfort Letter
In Port Moody, quick property history checks are available through the Property Information Portal, while formal Comfort Letter style requests require a written request.
- Self-service records: Use the Property Information Portal for permit application history and basic property data.
- Comfort Letter request: Send details to building@portmoody.ca or foi@portmoody.ca.
- Fees: Typically tied to search and reproduction costs, including search time charges where applicable.
If original drawings are unavailable, request a formal written property status response through Building Division or FOI. 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?
Once you have obtained your original building drawings from the City of Port Moody, a professional designer can help you interpret the documents, cross-reference them with current as-built conditions, and prepare updated permit drawings for your project.
Contact Canadian Blueprint — we work with Port Moody homeowners and contractors regularly. We can convert City records into accurate, modern CAD drawings to support your renovation or addition permit application.