Permits are required for any construction or other work that will impact or take place on the City road right-of-way (all areas between property lines including streets, boulevards or sidewalk). Depending on the nature of the work, multiple permits may be needed. If you are unsure if an area is considered to be on the right-of-way, use this map by zooming in to see properties and parking information.
Types of Permits
Depending on the type of work and its impacts, you may have to apply for multiple permits.
Street Occupancy Permits are required for work occupying any street, sidewalk or boulevard in the City of Victoria as per the Streets and Traffic Bylaw [PDF/0.9MB]. Applications can be made for companies to temporarily occupy the sidewalk, boulevard or lanes on the street.
To prioritize vulnerable road users, the City has specific guidelines for work being done on walking routes [PDF/3.7MB] and cycling routes [PDF/5.6MB]. Read these before applying for a faster and smoother permitting process.
The minimum required time for an application to be submitted is two business days before the work starts for minor impacts. For intermediate and major impacts, more time before work starts is required to ensure we can communicate to the public any large impacts which will help your traffic management.
The Street Occupancy Permits Information Sheet [PDF/109KB] provides more information about the application process including required application lead time and costs.
Contractor’s Permits are required for any work or restoration related to a building permit that will take place on the City right-of-way. All contractors are required to include the following with their application:
a current Worksafe BC Clearance Letter
proof of General Liability Insurance with a minimum of $5,000,000
Note that a Street Occupancy Permit may also be required.
Borehole Permits are required for the construction of investigative boreholes used to sample, study or monitor conditions below the roadway. This is in accordance with the Streets and Traffic Bylaw [PDF/0.9MB].
In order to issue a Bore Hole Permit, the following needs to be included with your application before work can start:
- A letter detailing the planned scope and schedule of street drilling work
- A fully dimensioned/detailed plan at a scale of 1:200 showing the location, number and depth of the proposed holes and all existing municipal infrastructure and utilities. Please note that work will be limited to the locations shown on the approved plan
- A copy of a comprehensive General Liability Insurance policy ($5,000,000 minimum) with the City of Victoria named as a co-insured
- Proof of current Workers’ Compensation Board registration with proof of up-to-date assessment payment
For more information on the Borehole Permit application process, please refer to this Borehole Memo to Consultants [PDF/185KB]
In addition to a Street Occupancy Permit, Utility Permits are required if a utility provider needs to do work that requires breaking ground on the City right of way. These can only be applied for by utility providers or their approved subcontractors.
For new driveway crossings or driveway upgrades that are not part of the Building Permit Process an application and approval is required before any work is started.
New driveway crossings will need to be built according to the Highway Access Bylaw [PDF/207KB]
For more information:
House Move Permits are required any time a house or other large structure needs to be moved within or through the City's boundaries. Email eng@victoria.ca to ask about a permit.