Updated August 2026
Permits & Locates for Excavation in Nanaimo
BC 1 Call responds to a locate request within 3 working days, and any excavation reaching a depth of 1.2 metres that a worker enters falls under WorkSafeBC's OHS Regulation Part 20, both of which apply across the Regional District of Nanaimo.
Updated August 2026
We file for locates and pull permits before any machine moves — it's part of the quote, not an add-on you have to chase down yourself.
We pull permits and call locates as part of Site Prep & Grading.
How do you get utilities located before you dig?
We file a BC 1 Call locate request before every job. It's free, and members respond within 3 working days — 5 for large projects. Once it's cleared, we have 14 days to start digging, and the ticket stays valid for 30 days from the day we requested it.
What are the rules for a deep trench?
Any excavation past 1.2 metres that a worker enters has to be sloped, benched, professionally engineered, or protected with a trench box or shoring cage under WorkSafeBC's rules. We also keep spoil piles set back — 60 centimetres from the trench edge, 1.2 metres from any other excavation — so the sides don't take on extra pressure.
Do you need a permit before you dig?
In most cases, yes — the Regional District of Nanaimo requires a building permit before any stage of a project starts, including excavation. We handle figuring out which stage of the process your project needs before we book the dig. A retaining structure under 1.0 metre high, holding back under 1.0 metre of earth, doesn't need one.
What if your property is in the Agricultural Land Reserve?
Moving fill or soil on ALR land needs a Notice of Intent filed with the Agricultural Land Commission at least 60 days before work starts, with a $150 fee. We flag this on the site walk if your property is inside the ALR, so it doesn't hold up your schedule.
| Requirement | Authority | Fee | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Locate request | BC 1 Call | Free | 3 working days to respond, 14 days to start digging, valid 30 days from request |
| Building permit | Regional District of Nanaimo | $150–$1,000, by project value | Per RDN bylaw processing |
| ALR fill/soil Notice of Intent | Agricultural Land Commission | $150 | Filed 60+ days before work |
| Highway access permit | Ministry of Transportation and Transit | — | Before work starts, provincial highway access only |
Building permit fees per RDN Building Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1595.01, 2025, effective 15 May 2025.