Why choose DOS to handle your permit application

On Average each year, the DOS Design Group expedites over 50 Permit Package sets for submission to the various  municipalities throughout the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley and Sea-to-Sky.  

The DOS team brings valuable Permit Management experience to your projects. We have in house specialists dedicated to the VBBL and the intricacies of the City of Vancouver Zoning, as well as in house code consultants for BCBC  and ALR projects. DOS also has a network of consultants on retainer, including Envelope Engineers, Structural Engineering, CEA’s, Architects as well as remote Contract Technicians that allows for work to be completed in almost any City, nationwide.

What is a Permit Expediter?

A Permit Expediter is a trained professional that advises clients throughout the permitting process to keep construction projects on schedule and within budget

• Permit Expediting involves conducting research on zoning, codes, and planning
• Coordinating with plan reviewers, clients, and building officials
• Reviewing construction drawings and other documents to ensure that they follow city code requirements
• Analyzing proposed project materials to determine if they are acceptable according to jurisdiction requirements
• Meeting with city officials to complete pre-submittal reviews
• Negotiating an expedited process to receiving an RTI (ready-to-issue)

DOS takes a strategic approach to handling the permit expediting process. Rather than simply acting as a liaison between jurisdictions and clients, we take a hands-on approach by presenting solutions to problems that arise during the permitting process. If a plan reviewer determines that there is an issue with building plans, we come up with solutions such as alternative designs and methods to overcoming the situation. We become part of our client’s team and make it our mission to achieve our client’s goals. We take communication seriously, providing weekly updates to ensure all team members are up to date throughout the entire process

What is a Permit?

A  permit is an official approval issued by the local government agency that allows you or your contractor to proceed with a construction or remodeling project on your property. It is intended to ensure that the project plans to comply with local standards for land use, zoning, and construction.

A Development Permit (DP) is intended to authorize the proposed massing, Sq.Ft., parking and other Zoning related matters. A DP does not authorize any construction.

A Building Permit (BP) is applied for after the DP is issued. A BP authorizes the finer details related to Building Code, interior layout and construction methods

A combination Development Permit & Building Permit (DB) can be applied for in some Municipalities allow an applicant to submit for both a Development Permit and a Building Permit at the same time. This usually is only allowed for smaller projects and is limited to Outright applications, it’s  intended to accelerate the Permit Application process. A DB authorizes the proposed massing, Sq.Ft., parking and other Zoning related matters as well as the finer details related to Building Code, interior layout and construction methods.

• An Outright Approval is one where all of the Zoning and By-Laws are followed without requiring the use of any of the “conditional” zoning clauses. This allows for the Permit to follow the quick approval stream.
• A Conditional Approval is one where the project design requests a use or design element from a Zoning note marked as “Conditional”, “Director of Planning Approval Required” or “can be relaxed with Director of Planning approval”. Quite often these “conditional” elements will allow for a larger building, additional Units or other beneficial features to the project. The conditions for
  approving these requests are set by the City.