If you are planning a renovation, addition, or as-built survey in the City of Richmond, obtaining original drawings is a key part of the design process. Richmond provides access to permit records and survey certificates to the public, while detailed building drawings require specific owner authorization.

Official City of Richmond Resources

Building Forms and Information: Official records, forms, and application details.
Building Records Request Form: Request copies of building records and plans (PDF).
Letter of Authorization (PL-40): Required for non-owner requests (PDF).
Fees reference: Consolidated Fees Bylaw (Bylaw 8636, Chapter 5).
Building Bulletins: Additional City requirements.

Request Original Building Drawings — Step by Step

1
Confirm Public vs Restricted Records
2
Complete Required Forms
3
Submit the Request Package
4
Review Fees

Step 1 - Confirm Public vs Restricted Records

Richmond treats records differently depending on type:

Public without owner authorization: Permit records and survey certificates.
Restricted: Architectural and structural building drawings (owner or authorized representative only).

Step 2 - Complete Required Forms

We use original blueprints to establish the baseline for your redesign. To request records:

Application form: Complete the Building Records Request Form.
Authorization: If you are not the owner, include a signed Letter of Authorization (PL-40).

Step 3 - Submit Your Records Request

Email your completed request package to buildingrecordsrequest@richmond.ca.

Include property address, contact details, and the specific file types needed so the records team can quote and process quickly.

Step 4 - Review Fees

Current published fees for building records requests are:

$30.00 administrative fee per property request
$5.50 for each file requested
$12.25 for large file transfer

Richmond updates fees periodically (typically effective January 1), so confirm current rates in the City's Consolidated Fees Bylaw before submitting.

City of Richmond Building Records Request Summary

A quick checklist for access rules, required forms, submission, and comfort letter fallback.

Step	What to Do	Official Link
1. Confirm Access Rules	Permit records and survey certificates are available without owner authorization. Building drawings require the owner or an authorized representative.	Richmond Building Forms and Information
2. Complete Forms	Complete the Building Records Request Form and include Letter of Authorization (PL-40) if requesting as agent.	Building Records Request Form (PDF)
3. Submit by Email	Email completed forms and required supporting documents to Richmond Building Records.	buildingrecordsrequest@richmond.ca
4. Fees	$30.00 administrative fee per property, $5.50 per file requested, and $12.25 for large file transfer.	Consolidated Fees Bylaw

No Drawings on File? Request a Comfort Letter

If original drawings are unavailable, a Comfort Letter can confirm active, issued, or outstanding permits for the property. This gives the legal context needed to begin an as-built survey.

Official page: City of Richmond Comfort Letters.
Information PDF: Comfort Letter Information (PDF).
Special requirement: Requests must be submitted by a lawyer, notary, or other legal professional.
Submission: Your legal representative emails the request to buildingapplications@richmond.ca.
Fee: Charged per civic address under the City's Consolidated Fees Bylaw.

Need Help Reading or Using the Drawings?

Once you receive your records or comfort letter, Canadian Blueprint can accurately reconstruct your plans so your renovation or addition can move forward with confidence. See As-Built Measuring for more information.

Contact Canadian Blueprint — we work with Richmond homeowners and contractors regularly and understand the local permit process.

Get Original Building Plans from the City of Richmond