If you’re planning to demolish a residential property in Nanaimo, there’s a step in the permit process that catches many property owners off guard: the city requires a documented asbestos survey as part of the demolition permit application. This isn’t universal across BC — Nanaimo is one of only a small number of municipalities, alongside Vancouver, Saanich, Coquitlam, and Port Coquitlam, that builds this requirement directly into the permitting process.
This site connects Nanaimo property owners and contractors with providers who can complete the required survey and supply documentation for your permit application. Submit a quote request to get started before your demolition timeline is set.
Why Nanaimo Has This Requirement
WorkSafeBC officers receive and review demolition permits issued by participating municipalities, which gives them advance knowledge of where residential demolitions will be taking place. For the municipalities that also require an accompanying asbestos survey — Nanaimo among them — that survey is made available to WorkSafeBC officers as well. This creates a direct link between your municipal permit application and provincial worker safety oversight.
Nanaimo’s substantial stock of pre-1990 housing, much of it dating to the coal mining era, makes this an especially relevant requirement for property owners across the city’s older neighbourhoods.
What the Survey Process Involves
- A qualified person conducts a visual inspection of the property identifying materials likely to contain asbestos
- Samples are collected from suspect materials and sent for laboratory testing
- A written report documents findings and is prepared in a format suitable for submission with your demolition permit application
- If asbestos-containing materials are found, an abatement plan is typically required before demolition can proceed
Timeline Considerations
Because laboratory testing can take several business days, and because any asbestos found will need to be addressed before demolition begins, it’s worth building this survey into your project timeline early — ideally before you submit your permit application, not after.
What Happens If the Survey Finds Asbestos
If your survey identifies asbestos-containing materials, the next step is a licensed abatement contractor removing the material safely before demolition proceeds. This adds time to your project schedule, which is exactly why completing the survey early — rather than as a last-minute step before permit submission — saves time in the long run.
FAQ — Demolition Permit Asbestos Survey
| Do I need an asbestos survey for any demolition in Nanaimo, or just large projects? | Nanaimo’s permit requirement generally applies to residential demolition permit applications regardless of project scale. Check with the City of Nanaimo’s permitting department for the specific requirements that apply to your project. |
| How long does the survey take? | Sample collection is typically quick, but laboratory analysis can take several business days. Submit your quote request with your target permit submission date in mind. |
| What if my demolition permit application is rejected because I don’t have a survey? | Build the survey into your project timeline before you submit your application rather than after. Contact a provider as soon as you begin planning your demolition project. |
| Does this requirement apply to commercial demolition too? | Commercial demolition projects are subject to WorkSafeBC’s broader hazardous materials identification requirements regardless of municipality. Check with the City of Nanaimo for any additional municipal-specific requirements for commercial projects. |