{"title":"Golden building permits: when you need one and how to apply","question":"Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?","slug":"building-permit","place":{"path":"ca/bc/golden","name":"Golden","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"Town of Golden","url":"https://www.golden.ca"},"short_answer":"In Golden you need a Town building permit to build, alter, repair, move or demolish a building or structure, including decks, garages, sheds, pools and signs. Buildings under 10 m² and routine maintenance do not. Apply by emailing the form and documents to building@golden.ca.","aliases":["building permit golden bc","do i need a permit golden","apply for building permit golden","town of golden building permit"],"cost":"Based on the value of the work, with a $40 minimum. See the building-permit-fees answer.","how_long":"The Town's pages and Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299 do not state a processing time. Ask the Building Official.","where":[{"type":"email","label":"Building Official (send applications here)","value":"building@golden.ca","note":"The Town's directory lists the Building Official position as vacant, so confirm who is answering."},{"type":"phone","label":"Building Official / Development Services","value":"250-344-2271 ext. 231"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Town Hall","value":"810 9th Ave. South, Golden, BC"}],"documents":["Building permit application form (fillable PDF on the Town website)","The checklist for your project (Part 9 new building, or the simplified checklist for additions, garages and sheds)","Site plans, floor plans and other drawings","BC Energy Step Code energy model report, for new buildings","Letters of Assurance from an Architect and Engineer, for Part 3 or reserved-practice buildings"],"forms":[{"title":"Building and Demolition Permits, Town of Golden","url":"https://www.golden.ca/business-development/building-demolition-permits"},{"title":"Building Permit Application Guideline 2026 (PDF)","url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/BP%20Application-Guideline%20general%202026.pdf"},{"title":"Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299, 2012 (PDF)","url":"https://golden.civicweb.net/document/63302/"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Golden building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Golden permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"slug":"secondary-suite","title":"Golden secondary suite and carriage house rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/secondary-suite/"},{"slug":"fence-rules","title":"Golden fence rules: permits and height limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/fence-rules/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Golden zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/revelstoke","name":"Revelstoke","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/radium-hot-springs","name":"Radium Hot Springs","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/radium-hot-springs/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/invermere","name":"Invermere","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/nakusp","name":"Nakusp","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nakusp/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/new-denver","name":"New Denver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-denver/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sicamous","name":"Sicamous","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sicamous/building-permit/"}],"topic":{"title":"Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit/"},"facts":{"needed_for":{"label":"Needed for","value":"Any construction, alteration, repair, moving or demolition of a building or structure, including decks, porches, garages, carports, sheds, pools, wood-burning appliances, retaining walls over 1.5 m, and signs. Also adding a secondary suite or new kitchen, finishing a basement, and structural or plumbing changes.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/BP%20Application-Guideline%20general%202026.pdf","title":"Building Permit Application Guideline 2026 (PDF)","section":"Application Guideline","quotes":["A building permit is required for any construction, alteration, repair, moving or demolition of a","carports, workshops, sheds, greenhouses, swimming pools, wood burning appliances, retaining","walls over 1.5m in height and signs."]},{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/business-development/building-demolition-permits","title":"Building and Demolition Permits, Town of Golden","section":"When you DO need a permit","quotes":["Adding a secondary suite or new kitchen","Finishing a basement or converting a space to a bedroom","Building a deck over 2ft above grade"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"not_needed_for":{"label":"Not needed for","value":"Routine maintenance and repairs (painting, floor coverings, roofing, exterior siding, landscaping, sidewalks, fences) and buildings under 10 m² floor area; the work must still meet the BC Building Code and Town bylaws. Retaining structures under 1.5 m are outside the bylaw.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/BP%20Application-Guideline%20general%202026.pdf","title":"Building Permit Application Guideline 2026 (PDF)","section":"Application Guideline","quotes":["A Building Permit is not required for routine maintenance and repairs such as painting walls, floor","exterior siding, landscaping, sidewalks and fences and building under 10m2 floor"]},{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/business-development/building-demolition-permits","title":"Building and Demolition Permits, Town of Golden","section":"When you DON'T need a permit","quotes":["Constructing an accessory building less than or equal to 10m2. Check setbacks!"]},{"url":"https://golden.civicweb.net/document/63302/","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299, 2012 (PDF)","section":"s. 4.2","quotes":["retaining structures less than 1.5 metres in height;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Email the application form with the completed checklist and all required documents and drawings to building@golden.ca. The form is a fillable PDF on the Town website. No online permit portal is mentioned.","short":"Email form and documents to building@golden.ca","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/BP%20Application-Guideline%20general%202026.pdf","title":"Building Permit Application Guideline 2026 (PDF)","section":"Application Guideline","quotes":["To apply for a building permit, please send an application form along with a completed checklist and","all required documents and drawings to building@golden.ca."]},{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/business-development/building-demolition-permits","title":"Building and Demolition Permits, Town of Golden","section":"Building Permits","quotes":["complete the fillable Building Permit Application (PDF)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"what_to_submit":{"label":"What to submit","value":"Application form, the checklist for the project (Part 9 new building, or simplified checklist for additions, garages and sheds), site plans, floor plans and other drawings. New buildings need a BC Energy Step Code energy model report. Part 3 or reserved-practice buildings need Letters of Assurance from an Architect and Engineer.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/business-development/building-demolition-permits","title":"Building and Demolition Permits, Town of Golden","section":"Building Permits","quotes":["Specific documentation is required for your permit application as well as site plans, floor plans and others.","The modelling report needs to be included in the Permit Application documents."]},{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/BP%20Application-Guideline%20general%202026.pdf","title":"Building Permit Application Guideline 2026 (PDF)","section":"Application Guideline","quotes":["need to be accompanied by Letters of Assurance issued by an","Architect and Engineer as applicable"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"processing_time":{"label":"Processing time","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_published","note":"The Town does not state a processing time.","sources":[]},"inspections":{"label":"Inspections","value":"The owner or agent must arrange an inspection by a building official with at least 24 hours' notice before covering listed work (footings, foundation, framing, insulation and so on). This does not apply to work covered by a registered professional's letter of assurance. Booking method is not stated.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://golden.civicweb.net/document/63302/","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299, 2012 (PDF)","section":"s. 17.3","quotes":["providing at least 24 hoars' advance notice to the Town","when the footing forms are complete, but prior to placing any concrete;","Subsections 17.3,17.4and17.5 donot applytoany aspectof workthatisthesubjectof a","registered professional's letter of assurance provided to the building official in accordance with"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"contact":{"label":"Contact","value":"Building Official / Development Services: building@golden.ca, 250-344-2271 ext. 231.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/town-hall/department-directory/building-official","title":"Building Official, Town of Golden","section":"Building Official","quotes":["building@golden.ca 250 344-2271 ext. 231"]},{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/BP%20Application-Guideline%20general%202026.pdf","title":"Building Permit Application Guideline 2026 (PDF)","section":"Application Guideline","quotes":["via the same email address or by phone at 250 344 2271 ext. 231 if you have questions or need"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Town of Golden Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299, 2012 (amended in 2022 by Bylaw No. 1465 for the BC Energy Step Code)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://golden.civicweb.net/document/63302/","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299, 2012 (PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["Town of Golden Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299,2012"]},{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/business-development/building-demolition-permits","title":"Building and Demolition Permits, Town of Golden","section":"Building Permits","quotes":["Building Regulations Bylaw (Bylaw No. 1299, 2012 Building Regulations)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":8,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":1},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe Town of Golden reviews your drawings against the BC Building Code and the Town's [Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299](<https://golden.civicweb.net/document/63302/>), then inspects the work. The bylaw also says a permit is required whenever work it regulates is to be done.\n\nA permit is needed for any construction, alteration, repair, moving or demolition of a building or structure. That includes decks, porches, garages, carports, sheds, pools, wood-burning appliances, signs and retaining walls over 1.5 m. It also covers adding a secondary suite or new kitchen, finishing a basement, and structural or plumbing changes.\n\nNo permit is needed for routine maintenance and repairs (painting, floor coverings, roofing, exterior siding, landscaping, sidewalks, fences) or for buildings under 10 m² of floor area. That work must still meet the BC Building Code and Town bylaws.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check the [Building and Demolition Permits](<https://www.golden.ca/business-development/building-demolition-permits>) page and the application guideline for your project type.\n2. Fill in the fillable PDF application form and the checklist that matches your project.\n3. Prepare site plans, floor plans and other drawings. New buildings need a BC Energy Step Code energy model report.\n4. Email the form, checklist and all documents to building@golden.ca. No online permit portal is mentioned.\n5. Pay the permit fee in full before the permit is issued.\n6. Arrange inspections with the Building Official, with at least 24 hours' notice before covering listed work such as footings, foundation, framing and insulation.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- The 24-hour inspection notice does not apply to work covered by a registered professional's letter of assurance.\n- The Town does not say how to book an inspection, so phone or email the Building Official.\n- The bylaw may also ask for a title search made within 30 days before the application.\n- The 10 m² limit is worded \"less than or equal to\" on the Town's web page and \"under\" in the guideline. Check with the Building Official if your building is close to 10 m².","sources":[{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/business-development/building-demolition-permits","title":"Building and Demolition Permits, Town of Golden","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/BP%20Application-Guideline%20general%202026.pdf","title":"Building Permit Application Guideline 2026 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://golden.civicweb.net/document/63302/","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299, 2012 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.golden.ca/town-hall/department-directory/building-official","title":"Building Official, Town of Golden","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/building-permit/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/building-permit.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/building-permit.json"}}