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

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

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

Short answer

In Kimberley you need a City building permit to build, repair or alter a building or structure (including a pool), move or demolish one, install a wood-burning appliance, or change plumbing. A new detached building over 10 m² also needs one. Apply to the Building Official at City Hall.

Key facts

Needed for	A permit is needed to construct, repair or alter a building or structure (including a pool), move or demolish one, install a wood-burning appliance, change use or occupancy, or change plumbing. Also new detached buildings over 10 m², enclosing a deck, carport or porch, and retaining walls 1.2 m or higher.Sources differ: The City page says a permit is needed for retaining walls over 1.2 m (4 ft) in height above grade; the bylaw (s. 3.3(c)) says it does not apply to a wall supporting soil less than 1.5 m in height. The two differ between 1.2 m and 1.5 m, so ask the Building Official. Electrical and gas permits come from Technical Safety BC.Building Bylaw No. 2620, 2018, consolidated to Jan. 30, 2025, s. 7.1; Building Permits & Inspections, Do you need a Building Permit? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure, including a pool or retaining wall; changing the use or occupancy of a building; making changes to or adding to an existing plumbing system retaining wall means a structure at or exceeding 1.2m in height that holds or retains soil or No person may construct, or structurally repair, a retaining wall without a building permit. Construction of any new detached building or structure over 10 square metres (108 square feet) Enclosing a deck, carport or porch Moving, adding or removing interior structural walls New construction, additions or exterior alterations to commercial, industrial, and multi-family residential buildings also require a separate Development Permit.
Not needed for	No permit under the Building Bylaw for a fence (except retaining walls), an accessory building under 10 m², or a trellis or arbour. Painting, non-structural re-roofing, cabinets, flooring, fixture swaps and non-structural window or door replacement are exempt. Retaining walls: s. 3.3(c) says under 1.5 m but 1.2 m or more needs a permit; ask the Building Official.Building Bylaw No. 2620, 2018, consolidated to Jan. 30, 2025, s. 3.3; Building Permit Application Guide, When is a building permit not required · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording a fence, except as set out in Part 11 [Retaining Walls] of this bylaw; an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres; a wall supporting soil that is less than 1.5 metres in height (c) a trellis, an arbour, a wall supporting soil that is less than 1.5 metres in height, or retaining wall means a structure at or exceeding 1.2m in height that holds or retains soil or Painting and exterior finish upgrades Non-structural roof repairs Plumbing fixture replacement only Non-structural window or door replacement
How to apply	Get the forms at City Hall (340 Spokane Street) during office hours or download them from the City's Building Permits & Inspections page. Electronic drawings are preferred. The City page does not describe an online portal.Building Permits & Inspections, Application process; Building Permit Application Guide · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Building Permit applications may be obtained at City Hall during regular office hours (electronic copies are preferred) 340 Spokane Street, Kimberley, BC V1A 2E8 (electronic preferred)
What to submit	Signed application form; current title certificate (within 30 days); construction drawings (plot plan, floor plans, structural details, cross-section, elevations); BC Housing New Home Registration for new residential construction; an access permit for new driveways. Proof of ownership or owner's authorization is also listed.Building Permit Application Guide, What to include in your application; Building Permits & Inspections, Submitting your application · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Current Title Certificate (Within last 30 days of application) Set of Construction Drawings (electronic preferred) BC Housing Certified New Home Registration Form (new residential Access Permit (required for new driveways or new access onto property) Provide proof of property ownership or a letter of authorization from the owner
Processing time	Complete applications are generally assessed within ten working days; the City then contacts the applicant when the permit is ready to issue.Building Permits & Inspections, Submitting your application · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Complete applications will generally be assessed within ten working days.
Inspections	The owner must give at least 48 hours written notice when requesting an inspection of a standard building and get written acceptance before concealing the work. Inspection stages are listed on the permit (footing forms, foundation, under-slab plumbing, framing, insulation, final).Building Bylaw No. 2620, 2018, consolidated to Jan. 30, 2025, s. 10.32; Building Permit Application Guide, Required inspections · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording the owner must give at least 48 hours written notice to the City when requesting an inspection Stages of inspection will Footing forms, reinforcing and building siting (prior to concrete) Final inspection/ Final plumbing inspection
Contact	Building Official: 250-427-9655 (guide also lists 250-432-1330), building.official@kimberley.ca. City Hall is at 340 Spokane Street.Building Permits & Inspections, Do you need a Building Permit?; Building Permit Application Guide, header · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording contact the Building Official at 250-427-9655 or building.official@kimberley.ca Phone: 250.427.9655/250.432.1330 or Email: building.official@kimberley.ca
Bylaw	City of Kimberley Building Bylaw No. 2620, 2018 (consolidated to Jan. 30, 2025, including Amending Bylaw 2775), as further amended by Bylaw No. 2819, Amendment No. 3, 2026 (adopted Oct. 13, 2026), which replaces Part 15 on energy and emissions.Building Bylaw No. 2620, 2018, consolidated to Jan. 30, 2025, title page; Building Bylaw Amendment No. 2819, Bylaw 2819 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording CITY OF KIMBERLEY BUILDING BYLAW NO. 2620, 2018 CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE ONLY: Jan. 30, 2025 Part 15 Energy Conservation and GHG Emission Reduction is deleted and replaced Adopted on the 13thday of October, 2026;

How it works

Building permits in Kimberley are issued under Building Bylaw 2620, 2018, which applies the BC Building Code. Amending Bylaw 2819 (October 2026) replaces the energy and emissions part only. Electrical and gas permits come from Technical Safety BC. New construction, additions or exterior changes to commercial, industrial and multi-family buildings also need a Development Permit. If you are in the Alpine Resort area, zoning comes from a separate bylaw (see the zoning-lookup answer).

Steps

Check your zone and setbacks, or ask the Building Official.
Get the forms at City Hall or download them from the City's Building Permits & Inspections page.
Gather the signed form, title certificate and drawings (electronic drawings are preferred).
Hand in the application. The City page does not describe an online portal or say where completed applications are delivered, so call or email the Building Official to confirm.
When the City says the permit is ready, pay the permit fee and collect it.
Give at least 48 hours written notice for each inspection, and get written acceptance before covering up work.

Good to know

A permit is also needed to change use or occupancy, to enclose a deck, carport or porch, and for a new detached building over 10 m².
The bylaw does not apply to a fence, an accessory building under 10 m², or a trellis or arbour. Painting, non-structural re-roofing, cabinets, flooring, fixture swaps and non-structural window or door replacement are exempt. Exactly 10 m² is not addressed.
Retaining walls: the bylaw says 1.2 m or higher needs a permit in one place and under 1.5 m is exempt in another. Confirm with the Building Official.
Starting before the permit is issued doubles the fee.
A permit expires if work does not start within 180 days, stops for 180 days, or is not finished within two years. One extension of up to twelve months costs $100 and must be requested at least 30 days before expiry.

What you'll need

Signed application form
Current title certificate, dated within 30 days
Construction drawings (plot plan, floor plans, structural details, cross-section, elevations)
Proof of ownership, or the owner's authorization if an agent applies
BC Housing New Home Registration for new residential construction
An access permit for a new driveway

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Cranbrook · Canal Flats · Fernie · Creston · Kaslo · Sparwood

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

Sources

Building Permits & Inspections, City of Kimberley (read 2026-11-05)
Building Bylaw No. 2620, 2018 (PDF), consolidated to Jan. 30, 2025, City of Kimberley (read 2026-11-05)
Building Permit Application Guide (PDF), City of Kimberley (read 2026-11-05)
Building Bylaw Amendment No. 2819 (PDF), City of Kimberley (read 2026-11-05)

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