Testimonials
Christa and Jamie are extremely knowledgeable, responsive and easy to work with. We are fortunate to be working with them on the opening of our next concept and would strongly recommend hiring their highly skilled team for all your restaurant permitting and architecture needs!
Lina Cashetto
Say Hey Cafe and Deli
Testimonials
“Jamie Banks brings a collaborative and detail-oriented approach to design, ensuring seamless project execution while maintaining high-quality standards.”
Mustafa Kulkhan
Relativity Projects
Testimonials
We've had the pleasure of working with Banks Architecture & Permitting on multiple projects, and Jamie is fantastic. Extremely responsive, highly knowledgeable, and always professional. The quality of work and attention to detail make the permitting process seamless. Highly recommend!
Mehrdad Amini
Amini Construction
Testimonials
I have had the pleasure of working with Christa over the past 14 years & I cannot express enough how easy Christa makes every application and job. Her professionalism and range of contacts with the liquor board, City of Vancouver, fire department, and with Vancouver Coastal Health simply makes every application that much easier for us as a company.
I would garner a lot of my company's success on Christa's professionalism. She is on top of every application and has made our applications for extension of hours and capacity increase seamless. As well, her billing is by far the most reasonable of everyone that I have ever dealt with in the City of Vancouver.
Mike Morissette
After Dark Hospitality
Testimonials
Working with Banks Architecture & Permitting and Christa has been nothing short of exceptional. She is incredibly knowledgeable, efficient, and an absolute pleasure to work with. I don’t even think about permits or liquor licensing without thinking of Christa and her team—they’ve become an essential part of our business and how we operate. I truly value our relationship and look forward to continuing to work together.
Paul Grunberg & Banda Volpi
Peppino’s / La Tana / Savio Volpe / Elio Volpe
Testimonials
From our very first interaction, the team at Banks Architecture & Permitting demonstrated a profound understanding of the requirements and regulations. They guided me through every step, ensuring I was well informed and prepared. Their professionalism, expertise, and responsiveness made what initially felt like a complex ordeal into a seamless experience.
Their dedication and support are invaluable to our growth and success, and we couldn’t have done it without Christa and Jamie!
Elizabeth Starr
Liberty Bakery + Cafe
Testimonials
I have had the opportunity to work closely with Jamie the past couple of years. We have tackled some difficult zoning issues in the City of Vancouver. I am very impressed how Jamie analyzes and works through difficult issues. I am impressed how Jamie looks for solutions to tough problems. I am impressed at how Jamie stays focused on achieving a satisfactory resolution for his clients. I would without reservation recommend Jamie and his firm as one to consider.
Mark Woodall
Ressurection Spirits
About
Us
Our Story
Banks Architecture & Permitting was built on the belief that getting a business up and running shouldn't be daunting or overwhelming. Working on your business should be exciting and exhilarating and done without frustration. Our founders, Jamie and Christa, met through a mutual connection and quickly realized they shared the same ambition: to simplify complex processes for any business.
What started out as a few small projects on the side of Jamie’s desk, turned into Christa converting over 90% of her clients to using Jamie as their permitting expert and go to architect.
Fast forward 3 years and the next natural step was to go into partnership, one driven by complementary skill sets, mutual respect and wanting to provide the most opportunistic solutions to their mutual clients. Their vision was to combine architecture, permitting, and licensing into one seamless experience.
Today, we’re one of the only firms in Canada offering both registered architectural services and business/licensing permitting under one roof. That means fewer consultants, faster timelines, and clearer paths to opening your doors.
Let’s build the business you want - together.
Why Choose Us?
Time and Cost Savings
through holistic knowledge of the current permitting process.
Streamlined Communication
between design, construction, and operations.
A Single Point of Contact
for all your needs through true collaboration.
relationship building Approach
that amplifies the success of every project by embedding your priorities into every decision.
We’re Not Your Typical Architecture Firm
At Banks Architecture & Permitting, we do more than design buildings - we simplify the entire architectural and permitting process. We take care of the details to give you back your most valuable resource - your time - so you can spend it growing your business.
Led by James Banks & Christa Montpetit, our team takes a fresh, collaborative, and business-minded approach to architecture, permitting and licensing. With exceptional expertise in planning, architectural design, permitting, project management, and liquor licensing we offer solutions to bring your vision to life. Utilizing our high volume of up to date experience, we master our craft and stay on top of the latest hurdles. We navigate your project through the often frustrating permitting process and insulate you from the headaches and costly delays.
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Masterplanning
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Multi-unit residential development
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Commercial interiors and tenant improvements
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Industrial Facilities
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Franchise fit-outs and
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Architectural Guidelines
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New Construction from
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Feasibility Studies to Occupancy
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Development Permits
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Building Permits
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Patio Permits
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Occupant Load Permits
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Time-Limited Development
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Permits
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Liquor Licence Applications & Amendments
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Business Licence Applications
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Special Events Permits
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Cannabis Retail Licensing
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Liaising with both local, provincial and federal government authorities
Licensing
What We Do
We go beyond traditional design services. Our approach integrates three essential pillars under one roof...
What We Do
We go beyond traditional design services. Our approach integrates three essential pillars under one roof
Architectural Design
-
Multi-unit residential developments
-
Commercial interiors and tenant improvements
-
Franchise fit-outs and Architectural Guidelines
-
New Construction from Feasibility Studies to Occupancy
Permitting
Development Permits
Building Permits
Patio Permits
Occupant Load Permits
Time Limited Development Permits
Licensing
Special Events Permits
Business Licence Applications
Liquor Licence Applications & Amendments
Cannabis Retail Licensing
Liaising with both local, provincial and federal government authorities
Our Story
Banks Architecture & Permitting was built on the belief that getting a business up and running shouldn't be daunting or overwhelming. Working on your business should be exciting and exhilarating and done without frustration. Our founders, Jamie and Christa, met through a mutual connection and quickly realized they shared the same ambition: to simplify the complex for any business.
What started out as a few small projects on the side of Jamie’s desk, turned into Christa converting over 80% of her clients to using Jamie as their permitting expert and go to architect. Fast forward 3 years and the next natural step was to go into partnership—one driven by complementary skill sets, mutual respect and wanting to provide the most opportunistic solutions to their mutual clients. Their vision was to combine architecture, permitting, and licensing into one seamless experience.
"Our goal is to get our clients up and running as quickly and smoothly as possible - without unnecessary stress. We focus on practical solutions that work. Clear communication is everything to us. From costs to timelines we make sure our clients always know what’s happening and what’s coming next."
-Christa Montpetit, Partner / Founder
Featured Clients
See some of the businesses, nations, non-profits, and municipalities big and small that we’re helping across British Columbia and beyond.
“Christa and Jamie are extremely knowledgeable, responsive and easy to work with. We are fortunate to be working with them on the opening of our next concept and would strongly recommend hiring their highly skilled team for all your restaurant permitting and architecture needs!”
-Lina Cashetto
Say Hey Cafe and Deli
“Jamie Banks brings a collaborative and detail-oriented approach to design, ensuring seamless project execution while maintaining high-quality standards.”
-Mustafa Kulkhan
Relativity Projects
“We've had the pleasure of working with Banks Architecture & Permitting on multiple projects, and Jamie is fantastic. Extremely responsive, highly knowledgeable, and always professional. The quality of work and attention to detail make the permitting process seamless. Highly recommend!”
-Mehrdad Amini
Amini Construction Inc.
“Working with Banks Architecture & Permitting and Christa has been nothing short of exceptional. She is incredibly knowledgeable, efficient, and an absolute pleasure to work with. I don’t even think about permits or liquor licensing without thinking of Christa and her team—they’ve become an essential part of our business and how we operate. I truly value our relationship and look forward to continuing to work together.”
-Paul Grunberg & Banda Volpi
Peppino’s / La Tana / Savio Volpe / Elio Volpe
“I have had the opportunity to work closely with Jamie the past couple of years. We have tackled some difficult zoning issues in the City of Vancouver. I am very impressed how Jamie analyzes and works through difficult issues. I am impressed how Jamie looks for solutions to tough problems. I am impressed at how Jamie stays focused on achieving a satisfactory resolution for his clients. I would without reservation recommend Jamie and his firm as one to consider.”
-Mark Woodall
Resurrection Spirits
"From our very first interaction, the team at Banks Architecture & Permitting demonstrated a profound understanding of the requirements and regulations. They guided me through every step, ensuring I was well informed and prepared. Their professionalism, expertise, and responsiveness made what initially felt like a complex ordeal into a seamless experience.
Their dedication and support are invaluable to our growth and success, and we couldn’t have done it without Christa and Jamie!
Thank you Banks Architecture & Permitting Inc., for making our dream a reality!”
-Elizabeth Starr
Liberty Bakery + Cafe
