Can 

You 

Really 

Get 

Permits 

Over 

the 

Holidays? 

What 

to 

Know 

Before 

You 

Apply 

• The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year. But for many homeowners in Metro Vancouver, South Surrey, and White Rock, it is also when renovation planning begins. As families map out their 2026 projects, one question comes up often:

Can you actually get permits approved over the holidays?

The short answer is yes, but the process is slower and more limited than the rest of the year.

If you are planning a kitchen renovation, opening up a floor plan, adding an extension, or completing any work that requires structural review, here is what you need to know before submitting an application in December or early January.

Do Municipalities Process Permits During the Holidays?

Most cities do not shut down entirely, but they do operate with reduced staff and longer processing times. Municipalities across Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Abbotsford, Vancouver, Burnaby, and Delta follow a similar pattern during the holiday period.

Permit offices remain open.Most remain operational aside from statutory holidays.

Processing times slow down.Staffing levels drop due to vacations, which increases turnaround time.

Engineering and plan-check departments run with minimal coverage.Structural reviews take longer because fewer staff are available to complete them.

Internal reviews take more time. Your application may be accepted, but the review may be paused until the new year.

Rush reviews are not available. Most cities do not offer accelerated processing in December.

Should You Submit During the Holidays?

Submitting in December can be helpful, but only if you are prepared.

Benefits of applying in December:

• You enter the queue ahead of the January surge. • There is typically less competition for review. • Early planning supports an earlier construction start. • You can resolve corrections while offices are quiet, which speeds up January progress.

Challenges:

• Reviews move slowly because of limited staffing. • Structural engineers and planners may be away. • Missing documents can delay approval by several weeks.

Permit Types Affected by Holiday Delays

Some cities process these electronically, which helps, but internal review is still slower.

Different permit categories move at different speeds during the holiday period.

1. Building Permits These are affected the most. Any project involving structural changes, wall removals, additions, or major renovations requires full departmental review. Approvals slow down significantly.

2. Electrical and Plumbing Permits These tend to be faster but still experience seasonal delays.

3. Demolition Permits If no structural review is required, these often move more quickly.

4. Trade Permits Some cities process these electronically. Even then, internal review times still slow during December.

How Long Do Holiday Permit Approvals Take?

A Comparison Including South Surrey and White Rock**

Timelines vary across municipalities, but holiday slowdowns follow a consistent trend. The ranges below reflect realistic expectations based on recent seasonal patterns.

Surrey and South Surrey: Most approvals fall between 3 and 10 weeks. Holiday schedules can push processing times beyond the upper range. South Surrey applications follow the same system as the broader Surrey region.

White Rock: White Rock is a smaller municipality and typically processes permits faster than major cities such as Vancouver. A reasonable expectation is 2 to 6 weeks depending on project scope. Holiday staffing may extend these timelines.

Langley (City and Township): Generally 2 to 6 weeks. Slightly faster due to smaller geographic scope and lighter project volume.

Vancouver: This is the most delayed municipality during the holidays. Approvals can take 8 to 16 weeks or longer due to high volume and complex review requirements.

Abbotsford, Maple Ridge, and Mission: Ranges vary between 2 and 8 weeks depending on permit type.

The main takeaway: submitting in December does not stop your application, but the file may not move forward until staffing levels return to normal in the second week of January.

Tips to Avoid Delays

If you want your application to move forward as quickly as possible, consider the following:

1. Finalize engineering drawings before December. Any missing items result in delays.

2. Complete a full submission package. Holiday schedules leave little room for correction cycles.

3. Confirm municipal closure dates. Some cities close for several days between Christmas and New Year’s.

4. Respond to correction requests quickly. Prompt action can help your file progress early in January.

5. Work with a builder who manages permits on your behalf. Professionals understand seasonal timing, common submission errors, and municipal requirements.

At Square One Construction, our team prepares, submits, and tracks permit files through December and January so that construction can begin as early as possible in the new year.

When You Should Not Apply During the Holidays

Consider waiting until January if:

• Your drawings or engineering documents are not finalized • You need the permit issued within a very short timeline • The project is still conceptual • You are missing required documentation such as surveys, asbestos reports, or mechanical drawings

In these situations, it is better to prepare everything in December and submit during the first or second week of January.

Planning a Renovation Over the Holidays?

If you are preparing to renovate your kitchen, open your main floor, or complete a major home remodel in South Surrey or White Rock, planning your permit timeline correctly can save weeks and prevent avoidable delays.

Our team manages design, engineering, permitting, and construction from start to finish.

info@squareoneconstruction.ca (778) 400-7948

Let’s start your renovation on the right foot, even during the holidays.

Fresh Useful Reads from Square One Construction

• How Will Tariffs Affect Your Project in Vancouver? — discusses how rising tariffs on construction materials (lumber, steel, fixtures, etc.) are influencing renovation and building costs, scheduling, and sourcing decisions. Useful if you’re budgeting a kitchen reno or structural change today.
• How Much Does It Cost to Renovate a Home in Vancouver? — a broad look at total renovation cost ranges for typical homes, helping homeowners estimate what their project might realistically cost before contacting a builder.
• Year-Round Outdoor Living: Key Upgrades for a Functional and Weather-Proof Space — a timely read if you’re considering expanding living space or improving flow between indoor and outdoor areas, sometimes opening up floor plans leads naturally to outdoor extensions.
• Top Home Design Trends for 2025 — gives insight into what’s trending right now in layouts, finishes, and overall home design, useful for kitchen or open-concept renovations if you want your home to feel modern and resale-ready.