Compliance and Enforcement Fee Consultation
Introduction
We are proposing updates to the Compliance and Enforcement (C&E) fee schedule plus a cost recovery fee for Amusement Device Operating Permit re-inspections to be consistent with other technologies.
Currently, fees for C&E activities are not built right into our services, as we believe it is important that the costs are paid by non-compliant individuals. The proposed changes help promote fairness, accountability, and a level playing field for compliant clients.
Compliance and enforcement activities such as conducting investigations or regulatory audits play an important role in keeping people safe. However, these activities require many resources and can involve multiple site visits, technical reviews, documentation, and follow‑up actions.
Technical Safety BC administers the Safety Standards Act, a framework of Provincial regulations and safety requirements that aims to reduce hazards, prevent accidents, and increase public safety. When compliance with the Safety Standards Act is not met or unauthorized activity is suspected, Technical Safety BC may investigate or enforce against individuals or businesses who operate outside of the safety system.
The consultation will be live until May 29, 2026 and we ask for your feedback to help us determine fairness of the fees. |
More Information
 |  |  |  |
Summary of Fee Changes 
If approved, the fees will be implemented in 2027. The 5% fee increase approved for 2027 has been applied to the proposed Compliance & Enforcement fees listed below.
|
-
What's Changing?
Share What's Changing? on Facebook Share What's Changing? on Twitter Share What's Changing? on Linkedin Email What's Changing? linkCompliance and Enforcement fees are separate and distinct from enforcement actions, such as monetary penalties or other sanctions that may be applied at the end of an investigation or regulatory audit.
The proposed changes include a combination of administrative updates—such as renaming fees and consolidating similar fees—and new or revised fees that better reflect the work done by Technical Safety BC staff to support enforcement activities.
These fees only apply to non-compliant individuals or businesses. Licence holders, certificate holders, equipment owners, and facility owners or managers who are compliant according to the Safety Standards Act will not be subjected to these fees.
Non-compliant activity may include but is not limited to: duty holders and licensed contractors not having a valid licence or certificate before performing regulated work, appropriate permits not being obtained before regulated work is performed, all invoices not paid by the due date, and advertisements do not comply with Technical Safety BC’s Advertising Guidelines.
We are also proposing a cost recovery fee for Amusement Device Operating Permit re-inspections that are consistent with other technologies.
-
Why Are We Changing Fees?
Share Why Are We Changing Fees? on Facebook Share Why Are We Changing Fees? on Twitter Share Why Are We Changing Fees? on Linkedin Email Why Are We Changing Fees? linkWe are simplifying parts of the fee schedule and updating fees to better reflect an increase in services. We are also increasing transparency around how fees are used to support enforcement activities, which are strongly supported by client feedback.
We intend to use the fees for cost recovery for complex compliance and enforcement work and to deter non‑compliant behaviour, not to penalize compliant clients.
-
Who Does This Impact?
Share Who Does This Impact? on Facebook Share Who Does This Impact? on Twitter Share Who Does This Impact? on Linkedin Email Who Does This Impact? linkThe goal of cost recovery fees is to charge poor performing, non-compliant individuals and businesses who operate outside of the safety system. We believe these costs should be paid by non-compliant individuals to help promote fairness and a level playing field for compliant clients.
The proposed fee changes could impact all regulated technologies except Rail, and non-compliant clients including:
License holders;
Certificate holders; and
Owners of regulated systems or equipment (equipment owners and facility owners or managers)
Owners of regulated systems or equipment (equipment owners and facility owners or managers)
-
Detailed Fee Changes
Share Detailed Fee Changes on Facebook Share Detailed Fee Changes on Twitter Share Detailed Fee Changes on Linkedin Email Detailed Fee Changes linkThe following fee changes will impact regulated technologies in: Amusement Devices; Boilers, Pressure Vessels and Refrigeration; Electrical; Elevating Devices; Gas; and Passenger Ropeways.
Fee Category
Proposed Fee Change
What is Changing?
Why is it Changing?
New Proposed Fees
Investigation Fee
We are introducing a standard service rate for investigations into any non-compliances, including undervalued and unpermitted work.
We intend to use the Investigation Fee to recover some costs from enforcement investigations, where significant non-compliance has been proven.
The existing C&E fee schedule includes two separate fees for investigation of undervalued work, and investigation of unpermitted work.
We are consolidating both fees into a single “Investigation Fee” which will apply to all enforcement investigations into any alleged non-compliance.
This creates a more simplified, transparent, and fair approach to cost recovery.
All “Investigation Fees” will be charged at a minimum of two hours ($670) at the Professional Services Rate. Each additional hour of work will be charged at the Professional Services Rate of $335/hr.
Non-compliant investigations require large amounts of resources beyond routine compliance activities. The cost of investigation can range from $8,000-$15,000.
The fee would be applied only at the end of an investigation and only when non‑compliance is confirmed. We will not charge a fee if allegations are not confirmed or compliance is proven.
Overall, we believe it is important that the costs are paid by non-compliant individuals. This approach ensures costs are not passed on to compliant clients, while supporting a level playing field.
Use Cases (click to read)
New Proposed Fees A new fee for Regulatory Audits performed by Enforcement Specialists charged at the hourly Administrative Rate $90/hr.
Regulatory Audits require support beyond the lead auditor's work. In addition to audit activities, Enforcement Investigation Specialists carry out essential administrative and investigative work such as file reviews, information requests, documentation review, and audit coordination.
We intend to use the proposed administrative rate to recover some costs associated with this work, which is not included in the fee structure today.
Introducing this fee improves transparency by better reflecting the actual resources needed to conduct regulatory audits, and supports a fair approach to cost recovery.
Audit fees are only applied when we find major non-compliance. If the duty holder is compliant, these fees are not applied.
In 2025, the majority of regulatory audits cost non-compliant contractors $10,000.
Use Case (click to read)
Fee Change: Increasing Services of Existing Fees
Change the current fee from “Special Inspection” to “Unauthorized Work Inspection”
The current “Special Inspection” fee is used for inspections into unpermitted work.
However, the term “special inspection” can be unclear to clients receiving an invoice and does not clearly communicate the reason for the charge.
Changing the fee to “Unauthorized Work Inspection” better reflects the inspection's focus and provides more transparency by clearly communicating that the fee is associated with work done without authorization.
The proposed name change better aligns with this expanded focus and ensures consistency between the fee title, its purpose, and enforcement objectives.
In addition, as part of the organization’s focus on addressing the grey market, the range of this fee will increase beyond unpermitted work to include inspections related to all forms of unauthorized work, including unlicensed, unqualified, and unpermitted activities.
Change the current fee from “Reinspection Fee” to “Re-inspection of Unauthorized Work”
This change is only applied to re-inspections performed in response to unauthorized work. Making this change will allow us to collect data on the volume of unauthorized work and help our efforts to level the playing field.
There will be no changes to the reinspection fee applied to re-inspections conducted by Safety Officers following up on previously identified non-compliances.
As part of the organization’s focus on addressing the grey market, the range of this fee will increase beyond unpermitted work to include inspections related to all forms of unauthorized work, including unlicensed, unqualified, and unpermitted activities.
Renaming Existing Fee (no service change)
Rename the current fee from “Compliance Audit” to “Regulatory Audit”
This is a name change. No new non-compliances will be added.
We are updating the name of this fee to line up with our new audit process across technologies.
You may find more details in this Information Bulletin.
Rename “Administrative Rate for non-compliance” and “Professional Services Rate for non-compliance” to “Administrative Rate” and “Professional Service Rate”
Removing “for non-compliance" in the fee description from hourly rates
We want to simplify the fee schedule so all professional service rates across technologies have the same fee name.
Removing "for non-compliance" in the fee description removes unnecessary distinction at the fee level.
Removing Existing Fee
Permit amendment fee
Removing “permit amendment review fee” from the EL fee schedule
The current application of the “investigation of undervalued permit fee” is complex and we want to simplify it.
The following fee changes will impact Amusement Devices only:
Fee Category
Proposed Fee Change
What is Changing?
Why is it Changing?
New Proposed Fee
Reinspection fee for Amusement Devices (AD) Operating Permits
We are introducing a new fee for reinspection of Operating Permits in the Amusement Devices technology. The new reinspection fee will be charged at the Safety Services Rate ($223).
The first inspection performed on operating equipment are covered under the operating permit fee. But any clients who require additional inspections to ensure compliance do not currently face any fees for service.
We will be charging for follow-up inspections similar to what we do in all other technologies and installation inspections.
We want to align re-inspection services on operating equipment across all technologies.
Compliance and Enforcement fees are separate and distinct from enforcement actions, such as monetary penalties or other sanctions that may be applied at the end of an investigation or regulatory audit.
Participate in the survey and share your opinion until May 29, 2026
-
CE Fee Example 1 - Investigation into Unpermitted Work
Share CE Fee Example 1 - Investigation into Unpermitted Work on Facebook Share CE Fee Example 1 - Investigation into Unpermitted Work on Twitter Share CE Fee Example 1 - Investigation into Unpermitted Work on Linkedin Email CE Fee Example 1 - Investigation into Unpermitted Work linkInvestigation into Unpermitted Work
A member of the public reported that a licensed contractor may have performed regulated work at their residence without the required permits. We opened an investigation to confirm whether unpermitted work had occurred and to determine if this was an isolated incident or a recurring compliance issue.
The investigation included interviews with both the complainant and the contractor, plus a review of the contractor’s work records from the past six months. Record review identified six separate cases where regulated work was completed without the required permits.
As a result, we issued a compliance order requiring the contractor to get the necessary permits, confirm that the work met applicable code requirements, and submit compliance declarations.
-
CE Fee Example 2 - Investigation into Ongoing Non-Compliance
Share CE Fee Example 2 - Investigation into Ongoing Non-Compliance on Facebook Share CE Fee Example 2 - Investigation into Ongoing Non-Compliance on Twitter Share CE Fee Example 2 - Investigation into Ongoing Non-Compliance on Linkedin Email CE Fee Example 2 - Investigation into Ongoing Non-Compliance linkInvestigation into Ongoing Non-Compliance
We launched an investigation after a licensed electrical contractor failed to correct non‑compliances outlined on a certificate of inspection. TSBC records showed the contractor had a history of similar non‑compliances, with repeated and serious code violations found during inspections over the past two years, indicating a pattern of non‑compliant behaviour.
The investigation included interviews with the contractor and their employees; review of employee qualifications; review of work records, policies, and procedures; and on-site evaluations of completed work to judge compliance with regulatory and code requirements.
The investigation found that the contractor was performing regulated work without first ensuring regulated work was compliant, ensuring individuals performing the work were qualified, and personally inspecting work prior to submitting compliance declarations.
As a result, TSBC issued discipline orders with terms and conditions to both the contractor’s licence and the FSR’s certification.
-
CE Fee Example 3 - Full-Scope Regulatory Audit (Administrative Fee)
Share CE Fee Example 3 - Full-Scope Regulatory Audit (Administrative Fee) on Facebook Share CE Fee Example 3 - Full-Scope Regulatory Audit (Administrative Fee) on Twitter Share CE Fee Example 3 - Full-Scope Regulatory Audit (Administrative Fee) on Linkedin Email CE Fee Example 3 - Full-Scope Regulatory Audit (Administrative Fee) linkFull-Scope Regulatory Audit (Administrative Fee)
We completed a full‑scope regulatory audit to assess a licensed contractor’s compliance with legislative requirements. The audit examined compliance in multiple areas, including licensing, certification, permitting, reporting, payment of fees, advertising, and the performance of regulated work, over the past five years.
Audit activities included interviews with the contractor and employees, review of contractor records covering a two‑year period, and on-site evaluations of regulated work.
A Lead Investigating Officer (LIO) led the audit and an Enforcement Investigation Specialist (EIS) supported them. The EIS supported the audit through interview note‑taking, audit coordination (including records submissions and interview scheduling), records review, and data entry. The LIO was responsible for audit planning and coordination, conducting interviews, detailed review and analysis of evidence, establishing findings, and report writing.
