Building Permit Updates

In 2024, the City faced delays in issuing building permits. We have made progress in addressing this issue, and this page will keep you informed about the steps being taken to improve the building permit process and support development in Whitehorse.

Quick Stats – 2024 Building Season

Permits complete in 2024: 381
Applications received in 2024: 520
Applications received in 2023: 401

Check out our Building Permit and Code Education Webinar Series in our videos section, or subscribe to the series on our YouTube channel.

Quick Stats – 2024 Building Season

Updates

City makes progress on Building Permit backlog

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Our Land and Building Services (LBS) team started extended Saturday hours today – one of many measures being taken to address the delay in issuing Building Permits. This is an update on we got here, what the City is doing about it.

How the City got here
This year’s Building Permit delay was significantly affected by several factors including the 2023 and 2024 Land Lottery building applications being received at the same time, as well as two unexpected departures from within our Building Inspections team in March and May, just as permit application volume increased.

What the City is doing about it
• With the loss of two Building Officials, local job recruitments went unfilled, so the City is currently undertaking a Canada-wide search to backfill the unanticipated vacancies.
• The City reached out to the Government of Yukon Building Safety to determine if they have any available staff who might be able to assist.
• LBS identified three external consultants to conduct plan reviews.
• Other City departments are providing administrative assistance.
• Former Building Officials have been brought in from other departments to assist.
• The City has initiated an application pre-review to inform applicants sooner if their application is incomplete, before a full plan review is carried out.
• We've initiated Remote Virtual Inspections for select projects. This initiative involves the remotely-located building official being on-site virtually with the builder to conduct the site inspection, saving on travel time and providing more timely inspections.
• This fall, the City intends on providing informational sessions to the local building community on how plan reviews are conducted, what Building Officials do, and how we all might enhance permit application timelines.
• This City has sent a letter to Government of Yukon advocating for an extension to the building commitment timeline for lots sold pursuant to Land Lotteries.
New Remote Building Inspection Pilot Launched

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The City of Whitehorse is piloting a new Remote Virtual Inspection system to allow for more timely building inspections.
The new system will use video conferencing technology to allow a Registered Building Official to conduct a building inspection off-site by working with an on-site contractor or builder who is using their phone or tablet. Inspection reports will be completed by the Building Official and sent digitally to the contractor.
The Remote Virtual Inspection system will be implemented this week for select projects. Once the process has been tested over the coming weeks, the City will be working to expand this initiative.
Remote Virtual Inspection services are available in several Canadian municipalities, including Edmonton, Calgary, and Pemberton.
Introducing Remote Virtual Inspections is one of the steps the City is taking to expedite the permitting process and address staff shortages at Land and Building Services. The City has also contracted external help to review building plans and permit applications, redeployed staff to assist in addressing permit applications, and engaged specialized recruitment consultants to hire more Building Officials.
Contact:
Matthew Cameron
Manager, Strategic Communications
City of Whitehorse
matthew.cameron@whitehorse.ca
(867) 689-0515