The District of West Vancouver has taken legal steps to alert potential buyers about a home that has undergone major construction without required permits.
On July 21, council approved the filing of a notice with the land title office against the property at 1921 Fulton Avenue. Officials say the home has a long history of bylaw violations, including construction noise and several unauthorized renovations.
According to municipal staff, the lower floor of the house has been divided into three suites, none of which are permitted. The property is also listed for sale, describing multiple rental units and four kitchens. However, district rules only allow one kitchen and no secondary suites in this zone.
In early 2023, the homeowner received a permit to renovate the home to operate a daycare. But in May 2024, a kitchen fire caused by storing items in the oven led to a change in plans. The owner then requested to update the permit for a kitchen renovation. The district approved the update, assuming it was still for daycare use.
In June 2024, the owner emailed the district stating the new plan was to build a bachelor suite in the basement, replacing the daycare idea. A neighbor soon reported that the work had gone beyond just the kitchen, prompting further review.
Later that year, the district issued bylaw violation notices for construction noise outside of approved hours. But the homeowner refused to accept the penalties and began arguing with staff. Officials said communications became tense and unproductive.
In April 2025, the district placed a stop-work order on the property. A month later, the home was found listed for sale, advertising three rental suites and four kitchens.
Municipal inspectors, accompanied by local police, entered the home in late May. They found extensive unauthorized electrical and plumbing work. The original carport had also been illegally enclosed, and an electric vehicle charger was added without permits. After the inspection, the district declared the home unsafe and issued a “do not occupy” notice on July 9.
A letter was sent to homeowner Soheila Eslaminikoo, demanding that the property be brought into full compliance with district regulations. Failure to do so would result in further action.
At the July 21 council meeting, Eslaminikoo and her husband spoke directly to officials. They said it was the district’s responsibility to inspect the property during the work and threatened legal action for not doing so.
However, council members pushed back. One councillor noted that homeowners must take responsibility for getting the right permits. He pointed out that electrical or plumbing work always requires formal approval.
Another councillor mentioned a previous case on 20th Street where a similar situation ended with the home being demolished. She emphasized that the district’s primary concern is safety. If the owner had simply followed rules and requested inspections, she said, the situation could have been avoided.
She also stressed that zoning rules are designed to prevent fire hazards and plumbing failures. Without proper permits and checks, no one can guarantee that the home is safe.
The mayor added that the homeowners had a legal permit for a daycare. If they wanted to switch to residential suites, they should have applied to change their permit. He warned that listing an unsafe and unapproved home for sale not only breaks local rules but could also lead to legal consequences if new buyers are harmed.
