The City of Richmond utilizes ePlan and paperless digital systems to submit, review, and approve development and building permit applications. Digital submissions allow drawings to circulate concurrently through all municipal review departments—reducing wait times, improving accountability, and eliminating the need to bring heavy paper blueprint rolls to City Hall.
While digital applications make tracking convenient, Richmond plan examiners enforce strict CAD standards, zoning compliance, and building code specifications. You don't need to worry about complex drafting or technical file preparation—Canadian Blueprint formats and organizes your entire architectural package so it passes City of Richmond review smoothly.
Official City of Richmond Online Portals & Guidelines
This guide is based on the City of Richmond's official digital permitting documentation. You can access the municipal portal and official resources directly below:
- Official City ePlan Guide: City of Richmond About ePlan System
- ePlan Submissions Portal: Richmond ePlan Submissions & Login
- Building Approvals Hub: Richmond Building Approvals & Permits
- Permits & Checklists Library: Richmond Development & Building Permits Library
- ePlan & Permitting Support: Call 604-276-4084 / 604-276-4090 or email eplanSA@richmond.ca
How the Richmond Online Permitting Process Works (Step-by-Step)
Step 1 — Register or Access the Richmond ePlan Portal
To submit digital plans to the City of Richmond:
- Visit the Richmond ePlan portal to review submission categories and access your project file.
- Once your preliminary application is registered with the City, you receive login credentials to access the digital review workspace.
Step 2 — Receive Your Ready-to-Upload Package from Canadian Blueprint
Before you submit, Canadian Blueprint creates and packages your complete architectural drawing set. We take care of all the technical municipal requirements behind the scenes:
- Intake-Ready Drawing Package: We export all architectural drawings as high-resolution, scale-verified vector PDF sets tailored to Richmond’s digital review tools.
- Zoning & BC Building Code Compliance: Site plans, floor plans, elevations, cross-sections, and spatial calculations engineered to satisfy Richmond bylaws and Part 9 / Part 3 code standards.
- Organized Discipline Sets: Clear sheet indexing and separation of architectural, structural, and specialty sets for smooth inter-departmental circulation.
Step 3 — Upload Drawings, Supporting Documents & Pay City Fees
Once we provide your finalized drawings:
- Log into your Richmond ePlan workspace or upload via the designated portal.
- Upload the complete architectural drawing package alongside required property documents (such as owner authorization, surveys, or schedule forms).
- Pay the municipal plan-check fees to initiate concurrent departmental review.
Step 4 — Forward Any Plan Review Comments Directly to Us
During review, the City of Richmond digitally circulates drawings across relevant departments (Building, Planning, Engineering, Fire, and Health).
Once staff review is coordinated, any revision requests or deficiency notes are compiled into a Plan Review Comment Notice. Simply email those comments to Canadian Blueprint. We will review the City's feedback, update the CAD drawings accordingly, and return an updated revision package ready for re-upload.
Step 5 — Download Approved City-Stamped Drawings & Print Jobsite Set
When all comments are satisfied and final fees are settled:
- Richmond staff apply the official municipal approval stamp to each drawing and notify the applicant.
- Log in to download your issued permit and City-stamped approved drawing package.
- Jobsite Inspection Requirement: Print one full-size, to-scale paper copy of the City-stamped drawings to keep on-site for City Building Inspectors during inspections.
How We Make Online Submissions Easy for You
You shouldn't have to worry about complex drafting standards, CAD revisions, or municipal review jargon. Here is how we divide the work:
What We Handle (Canadian Blueprint)
- 100% Intake-Ready Vector PDF Package: All architectural sheets compiled and formatted to Richmond's digital submission standards.
- Zoning & Building Code Compliance: Accurate layouts designed to meet City of Richmond bylaws and BC Building Code standards.
- Fast Deficiency Resolution: Forward any City plan review comments to us—we update the CAD files and coordinate revisions.
- Discipline & Renovation Coordination: Complete documentation for residential additions, secondary suites, custom homes, and commercial spaces.
What You Do (Client Checklist)
- Access Your Richmond ePlan Account: Follow the login procedures provided by the City.
- Upload the Ready Package: Upload the drawing file and property documents we provide into the system.
- Pay City Review Fees: Pay the municipal plan-check fees online.
- Send Us City Review Comments: If examiners request revisions, email the comments to us for fast CAD updates.
- Print Jobsite Copy & Book Inspections: Print one full-size stamped set for the jobsite and arrange inspections.
Planning a Project in Richmond or Received Plan Review Comments?
Whether you need permit-ready architectural drawings prepared for Richmond ePlan submission, or you need fast CAD revisions to resolve City review comments, Canadian Blueprint is ready to help your project succeed.
