Apply for a Building Permit

Through permits and inspections, the City helps ensure construction and renovations are safe and meet BC Building Code and local standards.

The Building Bylaw regulates construction in the City. Before you build, renovate, or add onto a building, you’ll need a building permit. This helps ensure construction is safe for everyone.

When do I need a building permit?

You typically need a building permit if you are:

• Changing how a building or space is used (for example, moving into a commercial space or adding a dwelling unit)
• Building a new home or adding onto an existing one
• Constructing an accessory building (like a garage or shed) larger than 9.5 m² (102 ft²)
• Building or altering a deck or sundeck
• Renovating, repairing, or demolishing part of a building
• Placing a mobile home, or adding onto one
• Finishing an unfinished space (such as a basement or attic)
• Installing swimming pools, fireplaces, chimneys, or solid fuel burning appliances
• Making changes to plumbing

What can I do without a building permit?

You do not need a building permit for the following work, as long as all other bylaws are met:

• Fences (must meet height limits in the Zoning Bylaw)
• Roof work, including shingles, gutters, and drains
• Paving and sidewalks (Note: a driveway access permit is required — contact Engineering & Infrastructure)
• Replacing windows or doors if the new ones are the same size
• Interior finishes, such as cabinets, flooring (linoleum or carpet), and painting
• Exterior finishes
• Small storage or garden sheds up to 9.5 m² (must meet setbacks in the Zoning Bylaw)

What happens when you apply for a building permit?

• You submit a complete application
• We review your plans to make sure they meet building codes
• We issue the building permit
• We inspect the work as it’s built

BC Energy Step Code

The City of Castlegar uses the BC Energy Step Code, a provincial standard that encourages more energy‑efficient new buildings beyond the basic building code.

To understand how this may affect your project, please review the Province of BC’s Building Code information.

BC Housing Home Warranty

All new homes built by a Licensed Residential Builder must have home warranty insurance. This insurance protects new homes in British Columbia against certain construction defects, including issues with materials and labour, the building envelope, and structural components.

Learn more by visiting BC Housings What Homeowners Need to Know page.

Servicing

Contact Municipal Services and request the Service Card for your property and to apply for a Servicing Estimate. These show details for your water and sewer service and the cost of having services connected to your property if they don’t exist or need to be upgraded to meet your needs. Refer to the Water Meters page to learn more about metering.

Other Resources

Looking for guidance on how to use the building code? See the National Research Council of Canada’s (NRC) Illustrated User’s Guide – housing & small buildings.

Need to know your zoning, find a service card or other property information? Visit our Request Property Information page.

Want to add an accessory dwelling? See our Accessory Dwellings page for building code guidance.

Interested in using free standardized plans to add a townhouse, four-plex, or six-plex? See our Standardized Housing Designs page.