When Is a Permit Required?

A Building or Plumbing Permit is required when you wish to:

• construct a new building, including temporary and farm buildings
• renovate a building
• construct an addition to a building
• alter the interior of a building, including finishing a basement
• move a building
• demolish a building
• change the use or occupancy of a building
• create a secondary suite
• install a manufactured or modular home on a lot or in a M.H. Park
• add on to a manufactured home
• install a new drainage or water piping system in a building
• alter or remodel a plumbing system
• install a sprinkler system
• install a fire alarm system
• install a pool-pertains to fencing requirements
• construct a retaining wall retaining more than 5 feet of soil

note: With the exception of a homeowner installing his/her own plumbing system, all  plumbing is to be installed by a British Columbia certified plumber.

A Permit is not required for minor non-structural changes, such as:

• painting
• landscaping, sidewalks, and driveways
• fencing (fence heights are limited by Regional District of Central Kootenay Rural Land Use Bylaws) 
• kitchen or other cabinet replacement
• install new roofing
• build a fireplace, install a woodstove or install a chimney in an existing building