Service · Updated October 2026
Ramps and accessible entrances in Greater Victoria
For many people, the front steps are what start to keep them inside. A good entrance lets someone come and go on their own, in the rain, in the dark, and without needing to ask for help.
The short answer. There is more than one way to make an entrance accessible:
- A ramp, when there is room for the length a gentle slope needs
- Rebuilt steps with handrails on both sides, when the person can still manage steps safely
- A different door, such as a side or back entry with fewer steps, or a regraded path to a level entry
- A porch lift, when the rise is too high for a ramp to fit
For eligible BC households, BC RAHA rebates up to $6,000 for an exterior ramp and up to $20,000 for a porch lift.
Ramp, lift or a different door?
The right answer depends on how many steps there are, how much room the lot has, and who will use it.
Ramps take more space than most people expect. Canadian accessibility guidance (CSA B651) limits a ramp to a slope of 1 in 12 at most, so three ordinary steps can mean more than six metres of ramp, plus level landings. On a tight lot, a ramp can take over the front yard.
Before designing a ramp, we look at every way into the house. A side door, a back deck or a garage entry is sometimes a far simpler route to a step-free entrance.
Built for Victoria homes and weather
Entrances here face sloped lots, rock, heavy rain and moss, so the surface and the drainage matter as much as the slope.
- Slip-resistant surfaces that stay grippy when wet
- Drainage so water does not pool on landings or run toward the door
- Lighting along the route and at the door
- Materials that suit the house, so the entrance looks like it belongs there
Depending on the municipality and the design, a ramp may need a permit. Strata properties need approval first.
Steps, rails and the door itself
Sometimes the best change is a better version of the steps already there.
Steps with consistent heights, handrails on both sides and good lighting are safer for everyone. At the door, a high threshold can be lowered or fitted with a threshold ramp. Canadian guidance keeps changes in level at a door to 13 mm or less, bevelled.
Help with the cost
- BC RAHA (eligible households): up to $6,000 for an exterior ramp, $2,750 for an interior ramp, $1,100 per threshold ramp, $130 per foot of handrail and $20,000 for an elevator or porch lift, within a $20,000 lifetime maximum. Approval is needed before work starts.
- Home Accessibility Tax Credit and the BC seniors renovation credit: ramps and handrails are among the examples the CRA gives for the federal credit.
Funding details are summarized from public sources for convenience and may change. Adapt & Thrive is not affiliated with these programs and cannot confirm eligibility. Check the official source before relying on any figure.
Common questions
Do I need a permit for a wheelchair ramp in Victoria?
Sometimes. It depends on the municipality, the height of the ramp and the design. We confirm requirements with your municipality before work starts.
How long does a ramp need to be?
Canadian guidance limits a ramp to a slope of 1 in 12 at most, so each unit of height needs at least twelve units of length, plus level landings. Three ordinary steps can mean more than six metres of ramp.
Is a temporary ramp a good idea?
It can be. Modular ramps can work while a permanent plan is worked out, or when a need is expected to be short-term. They still need a stable base and handrails.
Does BC RAHA cover ramps?
Yes, for eligible households. BC Housing's schedule lists up to $6,000 for an exterior ramp and up to $2,750 for an interior ramp, with written approval needed before work starts.
Talk it through with us
Tell us what has become difficult at home and what you are considering. We will give you a straight answer about next steps, with no pressure to take on work you do not need.
Sources
Checked October 21, 2026. Programs and limits change, so confirm with the official source before you rely on a figure.