The Regional Development and Planning department is responsible for building, zoning, development applications, subdivisions (including rural subdivisions) and other land-use related activities.
If you're interested in commercial/industrial development, you can find more information at our Invest Northern Rockies website.
If you are a contractor or agent submitting an application on behalf of a property owner, you must include written and signed authorization or an Owner's Authorization form completed by the owner with your application package.
When Do I Need a Building Permit?
See our guide, When Do I Need a Building Permit? for examples of when a building permit is required.
If you are uncertain if a permit is required prior to making changes to your property or buildings, please contact the Regional Development and Planning department at 250.774.2541 Option 8. We always suggest arranging an appointment with the Development and Planning team before the start of any project so you can be well informed on all the requirements necessary to complete your project successfully – we’re here to help!
Below is information relating to common projects requiring building and development permits and some tips to help determine if a permit is needed.
When Do I Need a Building Inspection?
There are several points during construction when it is important to arrange an inspection. Click the button below to find out more on our "When Do I Need an Inspection?" webpage.
When and How to Arrange Inspections
New as of May 1st, 2023 - BC Energy Step Code Mandatory Compliance
The BC Energy Step Code was introduced in 2017 as a step-by-step building efficiency strategy designed to help meet the Provincial Government’s target of all new homes being net-zero energy ready by 2032. As of May 1st, 2023 aspects of the BC Energy Step Code will become mandatory for all new builds.
Achieving Step Code compliance:
- The builder works with an energy advisor from the design phase to create a model (energy efficiency target) for the new build.
- Energy Advisor provides a standardized “pre-built” report that is to be submitted at the time of building permit application. - Refer to Part 9 Compliance Tools. Note: the building permit will not be issued without a satisfactory energy model from a qualified third party.
- The builder and energy advisor stay in communication throughout the build. The energy model is updated with any changes to the design (e.g. window specification updates, mechanical system exchange, insulation level change, etc).
- Optional but advised: mid-construction blower door test conducted by energy advisor to find any air leaks and allow repair BEFORE seal-up stage.
- Final inspection and air-tightness test conducted by the energy advisor. The energy advisor submits a standardized “as-built” report to the AHJ following construction and prior to final inspection or occupancy, to verify air tightness and energy performance.
- An occupancy permit can be issued if the minimum required energy efficiency is achieved, as verified by the energy advisor in the “as-built” report.
In addition to the Step Code approach, Council passed an amendment allowing builders to follow the prescriptive energy pathway outlined in the BC Building Code. This provides an alternative compliance option for builders who prefer to meet energy efficiency requirements through specified construction methods rather than performance-based modeling.