Who signs a Schedule B on a Vancouver project?

A Schedule B is signed by the registered professional (architect or engineer) who is responsible for field review of the work they've designed. It's one of the most important documents in Vancouver's building permit process — and understanding who signs it can save you significant delays and confusion.

In the City of Vancouver (and across BC under the BC Building Code 2024), the building permit system relies on a Letters of Assurance framework. These are standardized forms that assign accountability to the design and construction team. Schedule B specifically is the "Assurance of Professional Design and Commitment for Field Review" — it's signed before construction begins, committing a registered professional to both the design and the ongoing field review of that work.

Who Actually Signs It

The Schedule B is signed by a registered professional — meaning a professional engineer (P.Eng.) or architect (AIBC member) licensed to practice in British Columbia. Depending on the project, you may have multiple Schedule B's from multiple professionals, each covering their own scope:

• The architect signs for architectural design and field review
• The structural engineer signs for the structural system
• The mechanical engineer signs for HVAC, plumbing, and fire suppression
• The electrical engineer signs for the electrical systems
• A geotechnical engineer signs if there are soil/foundation considerations

On a straightforward single-family home or small renovation, you might only have one or two Schedule B's. On a complex commercial or multi-family project, there can be five or more.

How It Fits Into the Process

The Schedule B is submitted with the building permit application. At the end of construction, the same professional signs a Schedule C-B — the "Assurance of Professional Field Review" — confirming they actually carried out the field reviews and that the work was constructed in general conformance with the design and the BCBC. Without the Schedule C-B, the City of Vancouver will not issue an Occupancy Permit.

This system puts real professional liability on the engineer or architect. It's not a rubber stamp — if something goes wrong and a Schedule B was signed, that professional's licence and insurance are on the line.

What This Means for Homeowners

If you're hiring a contractor for a permitted project in Vancouver, make sure your design team is clear on who is providing field review and signing the Schedule B. Gaps in coverage — where nobody has committed to reviewing a specific scope — are a common cause of permit delays and occupancy holdups. Ask your architect or engineer early: "Are you signing the Schedule B for this scope, and what does your field review schedule look like?"

For smaller Part 9 residential projects (houses and small buildings under 3 storeys), Schedule B requirements may be more limited, but the City of Vancouver often still requires them for structural, geotechnical, or complex mechanical work.

Browse registered professionals and contractors in our directory at the Vancouver Construction Network — or contact the City of Vancouver's Building Department at 604-873-7000 if you have questions about what Letters of Assurance your specific project requires.