Appraisal cards

Appraisal cards were created by the Municipality prior to the establishment of the BC Assessment Authority in 1974 in order to document the value of land and improvements throughout Oak Bay for taxation purposes. Appraisal cards for most properties in Oak Bay are available for reference at the Archives. The cards will generally include date of construction, builder, additions, floor plan and an exterior photograph.

Assessment Rolls

Tax assessment rolls include the name of the property owner, legal property description (Section/Block/Lot), property size, and assessed value. Assessment rolls prior to 1920 are available to view at the Archives. The 1907 and 1912 ledgers have been transcribed by Oak Bay Archives volunteers and are available as pdf files below:

• 1907 Assessment roll - by name
• 1907 Assessment roll - by page
• 1912 Assessment roll - by page

Building Permits

Oak Bay Archives: Building Permit Ledgers, 1909-1971

• CR-135/1/1/1, permits 24-4649 (21 May 1909 - 15 Sep 1942) - browse images here
• CR-135/1/1/2, permits 4650-7151 (29 Sep 1942 - 29 May 1953) - browse images here
• CR-135/1/1/3, permits 7152-9592 (1 Jun 1953 - 28 Aug 1959) - browse images here
• CR-135/1/1/4, permits 9593-12083 (1 Sep 1959 - 9 Dec 1965) - browse images here
• CR-135/1/1/5, permits 12084-15474 (13 Dec 1965 - 17 Sep 1971) - browse images here

A volunteer project is currently underway to index these historic building permit records. 

Building permits index to January 1955 (vols 1, 2, and part of 3) - download Excel spreadsheet here

Building permit data for dwellings built before 1917 is available below:

• Building Permit data up to 1916 (includes pre-permit dwellings) - by street
• Building Permit data up to 1916 (includes pre-permit dwellings) - by date

Contact Us

The Archives are open to visitors & researchers in person by appointment in advance during staffed hours, normally on Tuesdays and Fridays 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Drop-in hours: Tuesdays 10-1. Enquiries are also welcome by email, phone and post. For all archives enquiries and appointment requests:

Email: archives@oakbay.ca
Tel: 250-598-3290 (please include an email address in your message if possible)
Oak Bay Archives
2167 Oak Bay Avenue
Victoria, British Columbia V8R 1G2