---
title: "Kelowna building permits: when you need one and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a building permit in Kelowna, and how do I apply?"
place: Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/kelowna
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Kelowna
sources_read: 2026-11-09
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/building-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/building-permit.json"
---

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

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

**Short answer:** Choose your project type on Kelowna’s building permit application page. File a separate application with the relevant documents for each building.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Kelowna, https://www.kelowna.ca)  
**Where:**
- Phone: The building department, 250-469-8960
- Phone: Building enquiries, 250-469-8977

## Key facts

- **Needed for:** The building bylaw covers construction, alteration, repair and demolition, including swimming pools. The City specifically requires a permit for a detached residential garage, workshop or shed over 10 m².
  - Source: [Building Bylaw, Building Bylaw overview and detached residential accessory structures](https://www.kelowna.ca/city-hall/city-government/bylaws-policies/building-bylaw)
  - Official wording: "Contact: Building Inspections (24-hour Inspection Line) 250-469-8977. Development Services 250-469-8960 Categories: Building & development This bylaw covers the construction, alteration, repair, or demolition of buildings and structures, including swimming pools, within the City. The bylaw sets out the information required to apply for a building permit, the permit fees and the conditions where a building permit may not be required. The bylaw also outlines the powers and duties of the building inspectors and how occupancy permits are issued. https://apps.kelowna.ca/CityPage/Docs/PDFs/Bylaws/Building Bylaw, 1993, No. 7245.pdf"
  - Source: [Detached sheds, garages & workshops | City of Kelowna, Building Bylaw overview and detached residential accessory structures](https://www.kelowna.ca/homes-building/building-permits-inspections/permit-applications-requirements/detached-sheds-garages)
  - Official wording: "# Detached sheds, garages & workshops A building permit is required for all residential garages, workshops and sheds over 10m^{2}. This pamphlet covers the requirements for such structures not attached to a house. A garage attached to a residence is classified as an addition to the dwelling unit. This pamphlet is not to be used for accessory buildings containing secondary suites."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Not needed for:** Not confirmed. Checked Apply for a building permit; not found there.
- **How to apply:** Submit a separate building permit application for each building and attach only the documents for that building.
  - Source: [Apply for a building permit, What do you want to build?](https://www.kelowna.ca/homes-building/building-permits-inspections/apply-building-permit)
  - Official wording: "Each building requires a separate building permit application. Please ensure all documents attached are pertaining to the specific building permit application only."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **What to submit:** For a new single-family or carriage house, include the title dated within 30 days, registered charges, scaled drawings, energy specifications and warranty documentation. The City checklist identifies additional items for the design.
  - Source: [Single family homes and carriage houses, permit applications, New single-family homes and carriage houses, application materials](https://www.kelowna.ca/homes-building/building-permits-inspections/apply-building-permit/single-family-homes-carriage-houses)
  - Official wording: "New single family/carriage home Prepare the following materials: * Structural & Geotechnical schedules and drawings (Schedule B, D & Insurance), if applicable * 9.36 Energy efficiency specifications * State of Title, current within last 30 days, including copies of all covenants, easements and right-of-ways * Homeowner Protection Office warranty documentation (Provide confirmation that you have applied for this build) * Scaled drawings - two (2) complete sets are required, and site plans (if scaled plans are greater than 11x17). These can be delivered to City Hall (2nd Floor, attn "Application Centre"). * Roof truss package, complete with future solar panel loading"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Processing time:** Not confirmed. Checked Apply for a building permit; not found there.
- **Inspections:** The permit holder books inspections online or at 250-469-8977. Provide the permit number, inspection type, contact name and phone number, and requested date. Requests before 3:30 p.m. on a business day can be scheduled for the next business day.
  - Source: [Permit inspections and area map, Permit inspections and booking requests](https://www.kelowna.ca/homes-building/building-permits-inspections/permit-inspections-area-map)
  - Official wording: "Request Inspection Permit inspections are required during various phases of a project and are carried out by the Building Department. It’s up to the permit holder to arrange for inspections. Inspections are conducted Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (the office is closed on weekends and statutory holidays). You can book an inspection by calling our 24-hour inspection line (250-469-8977) or filling out the online permit inspection request form. Requests received before 3:30 p.m. on a business day can be scheduled for the next business day; same-day inspections aren't available. Due to the volume of requests, we don't provide call backs to schedule. All inspection requests must include: * Correct permit number for each type of permit * Type of inspection being requested * Contact person’s name and phone number * Date inspection is required"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Contact:** Call Development Services at 250-469-8960 for building enquiries. For inspection bookings, call 250-469-8977.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw, Building Bylaw, contact information](https://www.kelowna.ca/city-hall/city-government/bylaws-policies/building-bylaw)
  - Official wording: "Contact: Building Inspections (24-hour Inspection Line) 250-469-8977. Development Services 250-469-8960 Categories: Building & development This bylaw covers the construction, alteration, repair, or demolition of buildings and structures, including swimming pools, within the City. The bylaw sets out the information required to apply for a building permit, the permit fees and the conditions where a building permit may not be required. The bylaw also outlines the powers and duties of the building inspectors and how occupancy permits are issued."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Bylaw:** City of Kelowna Building Bylaw No. 7245.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 7245, Schedule A, PDF p. 26](https://apps.kelowna.ca/CityPage/Docs/PDFs/Bylaws/Building%20Bylaw,%201993,%20No.%207245.pdf)
  - Official wording: "SCHEDULE "A" CITY OF KELOWNA BUILDING BYLAW NO. 7245 SCHEDULE OF PERMIT FEES 1. VALUE OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION FEES"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09

## How it works

Describe the work in terms of what will change. An addition, an alteration inside an existing building and a change in how a space is used can raise different permitting questions at the same address. Submit a separate building permit application for each building and attach only the documents for that building.

## Steps

1. Use the application guidance in [Apply for a building permit](https://www.kelowna.ca/homes-building/building-permits-inspections/apply-building-permit). List the work planned for each part of the building. Identify existing construction and what you propose to add, remove or enclose.
2. Check the application instructions for that type of project. Ask which drawings, approvals and inspection stages apply before scheduling work that would conceal it.
3. For a new single-family or carriage house, include the title dated within 30 days, registered charges, scaled drawings, energy specifications and warranty documentation. The City checklist identifies additional items for the design.

## Good to know

- The permit holder books inspections online or at 250-469-8977. Provide the permit number, inspection type, contact name and phone number, and requested date. Requests before 3:30 p.m. on a business day can be scheduled for the next business day.
- Call Development Services at 250-469-8960 for building enquiries. For inspection bookings, call 250-469-8977.
- The building bylaw covers construction, alteration, repair and demolition, including swimming pools. The City specifically requires a permit for a detached residential garage, workshop or shed over 10 m².
- Keep a copy of the plans you submitted. If the scope changes, describe the change to the permit office before relying on the original instructions.
- Read the applicable provisions in [Building Bylaw No. 7245, Schedule A (PDF)](https://apps.kelowna.ca/CityPage/Docs/PDFs/Bylaws/Building%20Bylaw,%201993,%20No.%207245.pdf).

## What you'll need

- For a new single-family or carriage house, include the title dated within 30 days, registered charges, scaled drawings, energy specifications and warranty documentation. The City checklist identifies additional items for the design.

## Official forms and pages

- [Apply for a building permit](https://www.kelowna.ca/homes-building/building-permits-inspections/apply-building-permit)
- [Single family homes and carriage houses, permit applications](https://www.kelowna.ca/homes-building/building-permits-inspections/apply-building-permit/single-family-homes-carriage-houses)
- [Request a building inspection](https://www.kelowna.ca/homes-building/building-permits-inspections/permit-inspections-area-map)

## Related questions

- [Kelowna building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Kelowna permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit.md)
- [West Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/building-permit.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/building-permit.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/building-permit.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/building-permit.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/building-permit.md)
- [Summerland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/building-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Apply for a building permit](https://www.kelowna.ca/homes-building/building-permits-inspections/apply-building-permit) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Building Bylaw No. 7245, Schedule A (PDF)](https://apps.kelowna.ca/CityPage/Docs/PDFs/Bylaws/Building%20Bylaw,%201993,%20No.%207245.pdf) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Kelowna municipal office contact information](https://www.kelowna.ca/parks-recreation/recreation-facilities/city-hall) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Building Bylaw, City of Kelowna](https://www.kelowna.ca/city-hall/city-government/bylaws-policies/building-bylaw) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Detached sheds, garages & workshops | City of Kelowna](https://www.kelowna.ca/homes-building/building-permits-inspections/permit-applications-requirements/detached-sheds-garages) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Permit inspections and area map](https://www.kelowna.ca/homes-building/building-permits-inspections/permit-inspections-area-map) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Single family homes and carriage houses, permit applications](https://www.kelowna.ca/homes-building/building-permits-inspections/apply-building-permit/single-family-homes-carriage-houses) (read 2026-11-09)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 2 could not be confirmed. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Kelowna. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/building-permit/_