The ACEC-BC Building Engineering Committee works together to identify and address common interests within the building engineering sector. Like the Building Permit Level of Design Recommendations, this position paper seeks to raise awareness of opportunities related to a transition from traditional, paper-based permitting to adoption of fully digital building permit processes.

Why we produced this Position Paper

As Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) look to increase efficiency, reduce the cost to issue permits, and meet requirements set by the Province of BC and Councils across BC to reduce the time to issue permits, the use of electronic processes is on the rise. Like traditional building permitting processes, there are no standards for electronic building permit applications between AHJs. This paper was produced to draw attention to engineering obligations as well as the risks and inefficiencies of a partial adoption of electronic permitting processes, and to support and encourage the use of fully electronic building permitting processes.