---
title: "Kaslo building permits: when you need one and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a building permit in Kaslo, and how do I apply?"
place: Kaslo, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/kaslo
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: shared
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kaslo/building-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kaslo/building-permit.json"
---

# Kaslo building permits: when you need one and how to apply

**Question:** Do I need a building permit in Kaslo, and how do I apply?

**Short answer:** In Kaslo you need a building permit for most new construction, and for altering or demolishing a building. Drop your application at the Village Office or email it to the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) building department, which also does the inspections.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** Fees are set by the RDCK Building Bylaw; see the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** The RDCK page says turnaround for completed applications is currently about 6 to 8 weeks, depending on staff workload. Check the page for the current time.  
**Where:**
- In person: Village Office, 413 Fourth Street, Kaslo, BC (Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (as shown on the Village website; confirm by phone))
- Phone: RDCK Inspection Line, 250-352-8155
- Email: RDCK building department, buildingdepartment@rdck.bc.ca
- In person: RDCK inspector office hours in Kaslo, City Hall, 413 Fourth Street (Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.)

## Key facts

- **Needed for:** Building permits are required for most new construction and for alterations to or demolition of existing structures. Under the RDCK bylaw, no one may start construction, alteration, demolition, removal or relocation, or change the occupancy of a building or plumbing system, without a valid permit.
  - Source: [Building Permits](https://www.kaslo.ca/p/building-permits)
  - Official wording: "Building Permits are required for most new construction as well as for alterations to or demolition of existing structures."
  - Source: [RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (PDF, consolidated for convenience), Regional District of Central Kootenay, s. 6.1](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bylaw-No.-2383-2014.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall commence or continue any construction, alteration, reconstruction, demolition, removal, relocation or change the occupancy of any"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Not needed for:** The RDCK bylaw does not apply to retaining structures under 1.5 m (5 ft) high, unroofed decks no more than 600 mm (2 ft) above grade, and existing metal or masonry chimneys. Accessory buildings under 10 m² (about 100 sq ft) not used for sleeping and not creating a hazard are exempt. Zoning rules may still apply.
  - Source: [RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (PDF, consolidated for convenience), Regional District of Central Kootenay, s. 5.2](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bylaw-No.-2383-2014.pdf)
  - Official wording: "decks without roofs having a difference in elevation to grade not exceeding 600 millimeters (2ft)" … "retaining structures less than L5 meters (5 ft.) in height"
  - Source: [Building Permit Checklist 6, Accessory Building, page 1](https://villageofkaslo2022.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=KASLO_Building-Permit_Checklist6-Accessory-Building_KASLO-REVISED%20March%2010%2C%202025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Buildings less than 10m2 (~100 SF) building area that are NOT used for sleeping accommodation, or that do not create a hazard, are exempt from a building permit. Zoning regulations may still apply."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How to apply:** Drop the application off at the Village Office, or email it to the RDCK building department (buildingdepartment@rdck.bc.ca).
  - Source: [Building Permits](https://www.kaslo.ca/p/building-permits)
  - Official wording: "Applications for Building Permits can be dropped off at the Village Office or submitted directly to the RDCK via email: buildingdepartment@rdck.bc.ca."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **What to submit:** Application signed by all registered owners, a title certificate (issued within 30 days), covenants and rights-of-way on title, a scaled site plan, and construction drawings (foundation, floor, elevation, cross-section, structural). Truss, floor and beam layouts and sealed engineer plans where required.
  - Source: [Building Permit Checklist 6, Accessory Building, Accessory Building checklist](https://villageofkaslo2022.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=KASLO_Building-Permit_Checklist6-Accessory-Building_KASLO-REVISED%20March%2010%2C%202025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Include signatures of ALL registered Owners" … "Provide a copy of the property title issued within 30 days from the Land Title Survey" … "Site plan must be drawn to scale" … "Floor plans (including mezzanine plan if proposed)" … "We recommend the Owner obtain their construction drawings from an experienced"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Processing time:** RDCK says turnaround for completed applications is currently approximately 6 to 8 weeks; times depend on staff workload.
  - Source: [Building Department, Regional District of Central Kootenay, RDCK Building Department page](https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/)
  - Official wording: "Permit processing and plan review turnaround times are dependent upon the workloads of staff. Turnaround time for completed applications is currently approximately 6 to 8 weeks."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Inspections:** Call the RDCK Inspection Line at 250-352-8155 or email buildingdepartment@rdck.bc.ca to book an inspection for an active permit. RDCK inspectors have office hours in Kaslo on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at City Hall.
  - Source: [Building Permits](https://www.kaslo.ca/p/building-permits)
  - Official wording: "To book an inspection for an active permit please call the Inspection Line: 250-352-8155 or email buildingdepartment@rdck.bc.ca." … "Office hours in Kaslo are Tuesday from 10am to 11am at City Hall."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Contact:** RDCK building department: 250-352-8155 (inspection line), buildingdepartment@rdck.bc.ca. Village Office, 413 Fourth Street: 250-353-2311.
  - Source: [Building Permits](https://www.kaslo.ca/p/building-permits)
  - Official wording: "RDCK inspectors act as the Village's Building and Plumbing Official."
  - Source: [Village Of Kaslo - City Hall, donations paragraph](https://www.kaslo.ca/p/cityhall)
  - Official wording: "Help us maintain Kaslo City Hall for future generations. Your TAX DEDUCTABLE donations are critical to the continued conservation of the building. Please send your donations to Village of Kaslo, PO Box 576, Kaslo, B.C. V0G 1M0 or phone 250-353-2311. Your TAX DEDUCTABLE receipt will be mailed to you."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Regional District of Central Kootenay Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (consolidated for convenience)
  - Source: [RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (PDF, consolidated for convenience), Regional District of Central Kootenay, title](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bylaw-No.-2383-2014.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

Kaslo does not run its own building department. The Village's building permit page points applicants to the RDCK, and the [RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bylaw-No.-2383-2014.pdf) says no one may start construction, alteration, reconstruction, demolition, removal or relocation, or change the occupancy of a building or plumbing system, without a valid permit.

The bylaw does not apply to retaining structures under 1.5 m (5 ft) high, unroofed decks no more than 600 mm (2 ft) above grade, or existing metal or masonry chimneys. The Village's accessory building checklist exempts accessory buildings under 10 m² (about 100 sq ft) that are not used for sleeping and do not create a hazard. Zoning rules still apply.

## Steps

1. Pick the Village's checklist for your project (single-family dwelling, secondary suite, accessory building or commercial) from the [Building Permits page](https://www.kaslo.ca/p/building-permits).
2. For an accessory building, gather the application signed by all registered owners, a title certificate issued within 30 days, covenants and rights-of-way on title, a scaled site plan, and construction drawings (foundation, floor, elevation, cross-section, structural). Sealed engineer plans may be needed.
3. Drop the application at the Village Office, or email it to buildingdepartment@rdck.bc.ca. No online portal is mentioned.
4. To book an inspection for an active permit, call the RDCK Inspection Line at 250-352-8155 or email the building department.

## Good to know

- The Village also charges a planning report fee for an RDCK building permit; see the building-permit-fees answer.
- An application that does not comply with the applicable bylaws may increase processing time.
- The RDCK copy of the bylaw is a "consolidated for convenience" version with no legal sanction, so confirm the current bylaw with the RDCK.

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Permits, Village of Kaslo](https://www.kaslo.ca/p/building-permits)
- [RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (PDF, consolidated for convenience), Regional District of Central Kootenay](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bylaw-No.-2383-2014.pdf)
- [Building Permit Checklist 6, Accessory Building (PDF), Village of Kaslo](https://villageofkaslo2022.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=KASLO_Building-Permit_Checklist6-Accessory-Building_KASLO-REVISED%20March%2010%2C%202025.pdf)
- [Building Department, Regional District of Central Kootenay](https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/)

## Related questions

- [Kaslo building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kaslo/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Kaslo permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kaslo/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Kaslo secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kaslo/secondary-suite.md)
- [Kaslo zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kaslo/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit.md)
- [Silverton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/building-permit.md)
- [New Denver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-denver/building-permit.md)
- [Slocan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/building-permit.md)
- [Nelson](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/building-permit.md)
- [Nakusp](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nakusp/building-permit.md)
- [Kimberley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/building-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Permits, Village of Kaslo](https://www.kaslo.ca/p/building-permits) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Department, Regional District of Central Kootenay](https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (PDF, consolidated for convenience), Regional District of Central Kootenay](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bylaw-No.-2383-2014.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Permit Checklist 6, Accessory Building (PDF), Village of Kaslo](https://villageofkaslo2022.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=KASLO_Building-Permit_Checklist6-Accessory-Building_KASLO-REVISED%20March%2010%2C%202025.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Village Of Kaslo - City Hall](https://www.kaslo.ca/p/cityhall) (read 2026-11-08)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 8 of 8 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with any government. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kaslo/building-permit/_