If you are planning a renovation, addition, or as-built survey in the City of Victoria, permit records are an important first step. Victoria provides online permit history tools, and retained plan files can be requested through a formal plan-search process.
Official City of Victoria Resources
- Accessing Permit Records: Official permit records services and policies.
- VicMap: Permit history and property status information.
- Property Information Portal: View all permits for a selected property.
Request Original Building Drawings - Step by Step
- 1Start with Permit History Search
- 2Request Retained Plans
- 3Pay Search Fee and Review
- 4Confirm Drawing Completeness
Step 1 - Start with Permit History Search
Before requesting archived files, search the property in VicMap and the Property Information Portal. This gives the basic property profile, including year built, last approved use based on permits, and listed building, plumbing, and electrical permits.
- VicMap: https://www.victoria.ca/building-business/maps
- PIP: https://tender.victoria.ca/WebApps/PIP/Pages/Search.aspx
Step 2 - Request Retained Plans
If you need retained plans and archived documents, submit a formal plan-search request through MyCity:
- MyCity Plan Search Request: Plan Search Request Application
- Processing note: Available records can be viewed at City Hall, 2nd Floor, typically 2 business days after search fee payment.
Step 3 - Pay Search Fee and Arrange Copies
Plan search fees are set by the City's permit and inspections fee schedule. Copies of plans and documents are sent to Island Blue Print at the requestor's expense.
- Fee schedule: Permits and Inspections Fee Schedule
- Copy provider: Island Blue Print, 1-800-661-3332 ext 3
Step 4 - Confirm Drawing Completeness
Submission standards have changed over time, so older records may be limited. Some plan sets may not include structural or mechanical details required for current applications.
For condominiums and apartment buildings, records may include typical floor layouts only and may not identify specific unit numbers.
No Drawings Available? Request a Comfort Letter
Victoria's equivalent is often handled through online property status and permit history tools. If no plans are retained, use VicMap and the Property Information Portal to establish legal use and permit context before moving into an as-built survey.
- Property status source: VicMap and Property Information Portal
- Plan-search fallback: Submit a MyCity Plan Search Request to confirm what archived records are retained.
If no drawings exist and this property-status information 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 records are retrieved, Canadian Blueprint can help interpret permit history and legacy plans, identify gaps between archived documents and current as-built conditions, and prepare accurate CAD drawings for your renovation or addition permit application.
