Kerrisdale permits
Re-roofing in Kerrisdale: permits, heritage homes and trees
Kerrisdale is a neighbourhood of the City of Vancouver, so the City issues any permit a Kerrisdale re-roof needs. The City's permit page lists "Installing roofing, gutters, or drain-pipes" among projects that don't require a permit, but structural changes, a designated heritage house or a protected tree can bring in other approvals. We confirm per address before any work is booked.
Reviewed by Scott Plumptree, Director of Marketing, The Interlock Group · Updated October 24, 2026
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Permits issued by
City of Vancouver, Development and Building Services Centre, 515 West 10th Avenue
vancouver.ca
Roofing on the City's no-permit list
"Installing roofing, gutters, or drain-pipes"
vancouver.ca, When you need a permit
Former RS zones
R1-1 zone in effect since October 17, 2023
vancouver.ca, Housing options in lower density areas
Protected private trees
20 cm diameter or more, measured 1.4 m above the ground
Protection of Trees By-law No. 9958
Construction noise
Weekdays 7:30am–8pm; Saturdays 10am–8pm; none on Sundays and holidays
vancouver.ca, Noise control
Who issues permits for a Kerrisdale roof
Kerrisdale has no permit office of its own. It joined the City of Vancouver in 1929, when it amalgamated with Point Grey, so every building permit for a Kerrisdale house comes from the City. Questions go to the City's Development and Building Services Centre at 515 West 10th Avenue, or through its online contact form.
The City's page "When you need a permit" puts "Installing roofing, gutters, or drain-pipes" on its list of projects that don't require a permit, next to painting and non-structural exterior repairs. That covers taking off old shingles and putting on new roofing. It does not cover every change a homeowner might want to make while the roof is open.
When a Kerrisdale re-roof turns into structural work
The City's exemption sits beside its wording on non-structural maintenance, and the page tells owners: "When in doubt, contact the Development and Building Services Centre to determine if you are required to have a permit." Cutting a new skylight into the rafters, adding a dormer, or reframing a sagging roof line are changes to the structure, not roofing.
On an older Kerrisdale house, the condition of the boards under the roof only shows once the old roofing is stripped. We tell you at the estimate how we will handle sheathing, and if your plans include a skylight, dormer or framing change, we sort out the permit question with the City before the job is scheduled.
Kerrisdale's early houses and the Vancouver Heritage Register
The City's Kerrisdale page points to early homes in Arts and Crafts, Tudor Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival styles. Some west-side houses of that era are on the Vancouver Heritage Register, which the Vancouver Heritage Foundation describes as a list of over 2,200 buildings, landscapes, monuments and archaeological sites, adopted in 1986.
Being listed and being designated are different. The Foundation says the exterior of a listed building "can be altered", with its character-defining elements respected. Designation is noted on the property title, and section 3.1 of the City's Heritage By-law No. 4837 says the exterior of a designated building may not be altered unless a heritage alteration permit authorizes it. If your title shows a designation, the roof goes through that process.
Character homes and Kerrisdale's R1-1 lots
Lots that were zoned RS are now R1-1. The City says the new zone "took effect on October 17, 2023, and applies in all areas previously zoned RS", and it allows multiplexes as well as a character retention option for renovating an existing character house. Incentives to keep character homes date from early 2018.
A new roof on its own does not change a lot's zoning. If the roof is one piece of a bigger character retention or conversion project, talk to the City about the whole project first and tell us, so the roof is planned with the rest of the permit drawings rather than ahead of them.
Kerrisdale's large trees and By-law 9958
The City's Kerrisdale page notes its large, mature trees. Under the Protection of Trees By-law No. 9958, you need a permit to remove a tree on private property with a diameter of 20 cm or more, measured 1.4 m above the ground, and the permit has to be posted where it can be seen during removal.
The by-law page also says trees being kept on a site need protection during construction or development, including trees on neighbouring lots and boulevard trees. A re-roof rarely touches a trunk, but ladders, bins and material piles go somewhere, so we plan where they sit on your lot at the estimate.
How we handle permits on Kerrisdale jobs
City noise rules allow construction noise on private property from 7:30am to 8pm on weekdays and from 10am to 8pm on Saturdays, with none permitted on Sundays and holidays. We book Kerrisdale crews inside those hours.
We confirm per address at the estimate: heritage designation on title, strata approval where a strata owns the roof, structural changes, and trees near the work. Where a permit is needed, we pull it. By-laws change, so the rules on this page are as we checked them on the date shown.
Kerrisdale questions, answered
My Kerrisdale house is on the heritage register. Can I still put on a new roof?
Usually the first question is whether the house is listed or designated. The Vancouver Heritage Foundation says a listed building's exterior can be altered with its character respected; a designated one needs a heritage alteration permit under the City's Heritage By-law. We check the title and the register entry with you before choosing a profile.
Can your crew start early on a Saturday in Kerrisdale?
No. The City of Vancouver's noise rules allow construction noise on private property from 10am on Saturdays, and none at all on Sundays or holidays. On weekdays work can start at 7:30am. We schedule Kerrisdale roofs around those hours so neighbours aren't woken by a tear-off.
Do I need a permit to cut back the big tree over my roof?
The City's by-law page deals with removing trees of 20 cm or more in diameter at 1.4 m, which needs a permit. It does not spell out pruning rules, so ask the City or a certified arborist before cutting large limbs. We'd rather work around a branch than see a protected tree damaged.
Sources for this Kerrisdale guide
- City of Vancouver — When you need a permit
- City of Vancouver — Protection of Trees By-law No. 9958
- City of Vancouver — Noise control by-law (construction hours)
- City of Vancouver — Housing options in lower density areas (R1-1 zone)
- City of Vancouver — Heritage By-law No. 4837
- City of Vancouver — Kerrisdale neighbourhood page
- Vancouver Heritage Foundation — Heritage basics and FAQ
- Wikipedia — Kerrisdale
Product specifications are the manufacturer's (Interlock Roofing). Install counts are from our own job book. Reviewed by Scott Plumptree, October 24, 2026.
More Kerrisdale roofing pages
Planning a new roof in Kerrisdale?
A fixed price in writing after one visit, on Zoom or at your home. Most BC homeowners choose Zoom. Interlock Metal Roofing (BC) Ltd. · 9969 River Way, Delta, BC V4G 1M8
