Common Structural Comments on BC Building Permit Drawings

Building permit drawings in BC are reviewed for code compliance, clarity, and constructability. For renovation projects in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Victoria, Kelowna, and Nanaimo, structural comments often arise when the drawings do not show how existing and proposed loads are supported.

The BC Building Code 2024 applies to permit applications made after March 8, 2024, while Vancouver uses its own Building By-law. Earthquake design provisions apply to applications made on or after March 10, 2025.

Municipal Structural Comments During BC Building Permit Review

Common structural review comments on BC building permit drawings usually focus on missing information, incomplete load paths, or unclear coordination between architectural and structural sheets.

Typical comments may ask for:

• Sealed structural drawings for structural scope

• Beam, lintel, and post sizing

• Foundation or footing details

• Lateral support and braced wall information

• Roof framing or truss coordination

• Schedule B and field review commitments

For commercial renovations or Part 3 buildings, Vancouver checklists identify Schedule B - Structural as required when structural work is included. Nanaimo also notes that sealed structural drawings are required where the structural design is beyond Part 9.

P.Eng. Structural Drawings for BC Renovations

A P.Eng. structural drawing may be required when work affects gravity loads, lateral resistance, foundations, or primary structural components. This can include removing load-bearing walls, enlarging openings, adding roof loads, altering floor framing, or supporting new mechanical units.

In BC, Letters of Assurance identify the registered professionals responsible for design and field review. Schedule B confirms that the Registered Professional of Record is responsible for specific building components and applicable field reviews.

For houses and small buildings, some work may remain within prescriptive Part 9 requirements. Once the design is beyond Part 9, municipalities may request sealed structural drawings.

Beam, Post, and Load Path Comments

Beam and post comments are common because architectural drawings often show the opening but not the complete support system. A reviewer may ask how the new beam bears, what supports the post below, and whether the loads continue to the foundation.

Structural drawings should clearly show:

• Beam size, material, and grade

• Bearing length and connection requirements

• Post size and location

• Load transfer to floors, walls, and footings

At Parsways, these comments are reviewed by tracing the load path from roof or floor framing down to the supporting foundation.

Footing, Foundation, and Existing Condition Comments

BC renovation permit comments often ask for clarification of existing foundations. This is especially important in older houses in Vancouver, Victoria, New Westminster, or North Vancouver, where original drawings may not reflect current site conditions.

Reviewers may request footing sizes, underpinning details, foundation wall reinforcement, slab thickening, or confirmation that existing footings can support new point loads. Where soil conditions are outside typical Part 9 assumptions, geotechnical input may also be required.

Lateral Support, Roof Framing, and Seismic Comments

Lateral support comments are important in BC because wind and seismic forces must be properly resisted. Removing walls, adding large openings, or changing roof framing can affect shear walls, diaphragms, hold-downs, and anchorage.

Roof comments may involve rafters, ridge beams, trusses, skylight openings, vaulted ceilings, or added rooftop equipment. Structural design may need to reference applicable CSA standards, such as CSA O86 for wood, CSA S16 for steel, CSA A23.3 for concrete, and CSA S304 for masonry.

Drawing Coordination Before Resubmission

Before resubmission, the architectural and structural drawings should be coordinated so the reviewer sees one consistent design. Many comments are caused by missing notes, inconsistent dimensions, or details shown on one sheet but not another.

A coordinated resubmission should include:

• Updated architectural and structural sheets

• Clouded revisions where required

• Responses to each municipal comment

• Sealed schedules and drawings where applicable

• Clear references between plans, sections, and details

Conclusion

Common structural comments on BC renovation permit drawings relate to load paths, foundations, lateral resistance, roof framing, and professional responsibility. Addressing these items clearly before resubmission helps contractors, designers, inspectors, and engineers move the permit review forward with fewer unresolved structural questions.

At Parsways Inc., we provide structural review, sealed P.Eng. drawings, comment-response support, and coordinated resubmission assistance for BC building permit projects where structural comments must be addressed accurately and in line with applicable BC code requirements.