Provincial

Gas and propane work

Installing or altering a gas range, fryer, line or propane tank must be done by a licensed gas contractor under a Technical Safety BC installation permit — on the Island, no municipality issues its own, and the homeowner permit isn’t open to a business. Every new appliance must carry a certification mark or a Technical Safety BC approval mark. A business that owns a propane tank also needs an Operating permitIsland Health’s permit to run a restaurant, café, food truck or other food service business. You get it after the pre-opening inspection, pay its fee each year, and post it where customers can see it.All terms in the glossary for it; refillable cylinders don’t.

Who issues it
Technical Safety BC

Do you need it?

You need it if

  • You install or change a gas range, fryer, gas line or propane tank in a restaurant, shop or kitchen.
Where this comes from

Sources

How to get it

  1. 1

    Hire a licensed gas contractor

    Search Technical Safety BC’s list of licensed contractors. On the Island, Technical Safety BC issues every commercial gas permit — no municipality issues its own, and the homeowner permit isn’t open to a business.

  2. 2

    Use certified appliances

    Each new appliance needs a certification mark or a Technical Safety BC approval mark.

Where this comes from

Sources

Once you have it

  • If your business owns a propane tank, it also needs an operating permit; refillable cylinders don’t.
Where this comes from

Sources

Which businesses need it

Restaurants & cafésIf you cook with gas or propaneBakeriesIf you bake with gas or propaneCaterers & personal chefsIf you cook with gas or propane in your own kitchenDelivery-only & ghost kitchensIf you cook with gas or propane in your own kitchen

The rules behind this page

Last checked 5 November 2026. We check this guide regularly against Island Health, provincial and municipal sources, but regulations and laws change often and we can’t guarantee it is complete or current. Confirm with Island Health and your municipality before you apply, build or sell.

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