Kamloops building permits: when you need one and how to apply

Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?

Kamloops, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In Kamloops you need a building permit before you build, alter, repair, demolish or move a building or structure. Fences, sheds under 10 square metres with no electrical or plumbing, and retaining walls under 1.2 m are exempt. Homeowners apply online by ePermit with a MyCity profile.

Key facts

Needed for	Before constructing, altering, repairing, demolishing or moving a building or structure. This includes new buildings, additions, alterations, plumbing, pools, retaining walls (1.2 m or higher), solid fuel appliances, chimneys and site grading. Some work needs a separate permit (demolition, building move, plumbing, pool).Building Regulation Bylaw 11-84, ss. 9.1, 13.1, 13.3; Apply by ePermit, Homeowners · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Every Owner shall apply for and obtain a Permit before constructing, altering, repairing, demolishing or moving a Building or Structure. Installation of a Pool, Retaining Walls, and site grading; Installation of solid fuel burning appliances; Where required, separate Permits and inspections may be required in the following building a deck, adding a garage, finishing a basement, or creating a secondary suite
Not needed for	Per the bylaw: a fence (except pool fences); an accessory building under 10 m² with no electrical or plumbing; a trellis or arbour; a retaining wall under 1.2 m; a deck or patio under 600 mm above ground that is not attached to a building and has no walls or roof; repair and maintenance that does not reduce safety or performance; landscaping.Building Regulation Bylaw 11-84, s. 6.4; Apply by ePermit, Homeowners · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This bylaw does not apply to: a fence, except as set out in Part 19 of this bylaw; an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10m2 and does not a trellis or arbour; less than 1.2m in height; decks or patios which are less than 600mm from the ground or finished landscaping or other surfacing of land, except when creating a public parking A building permit is not required for: fences, sidewalks, and planters retaining walls that are less than 1.2 m in height
How to apply	Online by ePermit through a MyCity profile (homeowner, residential contractor or commercial contractor); a started application can be saved for 30 days. In person: drop off the application form and a USB key of documents at 105 Seymour Street (2nd floor). Fees are paid by Visa or Mastercard.Building Permits, Apply by ePermit; Homeowner Single-Family Dwelling Permit, Before You Start; Apply by ePermit, Apply by ePermit, Alternative Construction Permit Submission Process · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Submit your construction permit application if you are a homeowner, residential contractor, or commercial contractor. You must have a MyCity profile to apply online. Once you start the application you will have 30 days to submit it. Application fees must be paid by Visa or Mastercard. How to Apply for a Building Permit Paperless in Person: Drop off your building permit application form and USB key to a DES clerk at 105 Seymour Street (2nd floor).
What to submit	Homeowner house applications: a title search dated within the last three months, charges on title, site plan, design drawings (foundation layout, floor plans, cross sections, elevations), truss layout, lot grading plan, and Schedule B letters of assurance when using registered professionals. New builds also need an Energy Step Code checklist and HOT 2000 report.Homeowner Single-Family Dwelling Permit, How to Prepare to Apply · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Title Search - dated within the last three months Lot Grading Plan Truss and Floor Joist Layout Energy Step Code Pre-Construction Compliance Checklist and HOT 2000 report (new builds only) BC Building Code Letters of Assurance - Schedule B when using registered professionals Additional documentation may be required, depending on the scope of work to be done.
Processing time	The City must confirm in writing within 21 working days whether it will issue or refuse a simple building permit application, and within 45 working days for a complex building. If it misses the deadline, the permit fee is reduced by 5% (to a maximum of $500).Building Regulation Bylaw 11-84, s. 13.28; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 44-14, Sch. C, item 16 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 21 working days for Simple Building Permit applications; or 45 working days for Complex Building Permit applications. If confirmation of review notice is not provided within the timeframes outlined in the building permit fee will be reduced by 5%
Inspections	Book through MyCity online or call the 24-hour inspection line, 250-828-3300, with your address, permit number and inspection type. Inspections run Monday to Friday in business hours; book by 2 p.m. for the next business day. Give 24 hours' notice before starting work or covering required work. Approved plans must be on site.Sources differ: The City FAQ gives a phone line, while s. 13.44 says an inspection is only carried out if requested online or in writing. The FAQ also says the inspector will not inspect unless approved plans are on site. A re-inspection fee applies if work is not ready more than once.Building Permits Frequently Asked Questions, Residential FAQ: How do I request an inspection?; Building Regulation Bylaw 11-84, ss. 9.8, 9.11, 13.44; https://www.kamloops.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BLD_BuildingInspectionsGuide_8-5x11_Mar2025_FINAL-WEB.pdf, Building Inspection Guide, p. 3 Booking Inspections · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording You can request an inspection 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling the inspection line at 250-828-3300. your address - permit number - the type of inspection you wish to have at least 24 hours prior to at least 24 hours of online or written notice to a Building Official: has requested the inspection online or in writing in accordance Inspections are performed Monday to Friday during Inspections can be booked up to 2:00 pm inspection line 250-828-3300 or through MyCity, an
Contact	Building Section, Development, Engineering, and Sustainability Department, 105 Seymour Street, Kamloops, BC V2C 2C6; phone 250-828-3554; email building@kamloops.ca.Homeowner Single-Family Dwelling Permit, Contact · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording contact the Building Section at 250-828-3554 or building@kamloops.ca. 105 Seymour Street, Kamloops, BC, V2C 2C6
Bylaw	Building Regulation Bylaw No. 11-84, 2025Building Regulation Bylaw 11-84, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Building Regulation Bylaw No. 11-84, 2025 Effective Date – April 1, 2025

How it works

Under the City of Kamloops Building Regulation Bylaw 11-84, the owner must get a permit before constructing, altering, repairing, demolishing or moving a building or structure. That includes new buildings, additions, plumbing, pools, retaining walls of 1.2 m or higher, solid fuel appliances, chimneys and site grading. Demolition, building moves, plumbing and pools need their own separate permits.

Steps

Check the exemptions below, or call the Building Section at 250-828-3554 if unsure.
Create a MyCity profile, then choose the homeowner application for your project on the ePermit page. You can save a started application for 30 days.
Upload your documents and pay the application fee by Visa or Mastercard.
After the permit is issued, keep the approved plans on site. Book inspections through MyCity or on the 24-hour line, 250-828-3300, with your address, permit number and inspection type. Book by 2 p.m. for the next business day, and give 24 hours' notice before starting or covering required work.

Good to know

No permit is needed for a fence (pool fences excepted), an accessory building under 10 m² with no electrical or plumbing, a trellis or arbour, a retaining wall under 1.2 m, a deck or patio under 600 mm above ground that is not attached to a building and has no walls or roof, repair and maintenance that does not reduce safety or performance, or landscaping. The City's ePermit page also lists painting and minor like-for-like repairs.
A permit expires if work does not start within 180 days of issue or stops for 180 days. An application expires 90 days after it is accepted, unless the delay is the City's.
If the City misses its decision deadline, the permit fee is reduced by 5% (to a maximum of $500).
The City's FAQ gives a phone line for inspections, but the bylaw says an inspection is only done if requested online or in writing. Confirm with the Building Section.
Zoning rules still apply when no permit is needed.

What you'll need

Title search dated within the last three months, and charges on title
Site plan, lot grading plan and truss layout
Design drawings (foundation layout, floor plans, cross sections, elevations)
Letters of Assurance (Schedule B) when registered professionals are involved
For new builds, an Energy Step Code checklist and HOT 2000 report

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Sun Peaks · Chase · Barriere · Logan Lake · Ashcroft · Cache Creek

Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →

Sources

Building Permits, City of Kamloops (read 2026-11-05)
Apply by ePermit, City of Kamloops (read 2026-11-05)
Building Permits Frequently Asked Questions, City of Kamloops (read 2026-11-05)
Homeowner Single-Family Dwelling Permit, City of Kamloops (read 2026-11-05)
Homeowner Accessory Building Permit, City of Kamloops (read 2026-11-05)
Building Regulation Bylaw 11-84 (PDF), City of Kamloops (read 2026-11-05)
Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 44-14 (PDF), City of Kamloops (read 2026-11-05)
https://www.kamloops.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BLD_BuildingInspectionsGuide_8-5x11_Mar2025_FINAL-WEB.pdf (read 2026-11-05)

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