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

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

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

**Short answer:** In Lumby you need a Village building permit to build or structurally alter a building, install plumbing, or install a solid fuel appliance or new masonry chimney. Fences and accessory buildings under 10 m² that cause no hazard are exempt. Apply on the Village's form.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Village of Lumby, https://lumby.ca)  
**Cost:** Based on the value of the work, plus a non-refundable application fee. See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** The Village's bylaw and pages do not state a processing time. An application expires six months after it is made if requested documents are not submitted or the permit fee is not paid.  
**Where:**
- In person: Municipal Hall, 1775 Glencaird Street, Lumby, BC V0E 2G0 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
- Phone: Village office, 250-547-2171 (Village staff can take building questions.)
- Email: Village building inspection enquiries, buildinginspection@lumby.ca
- Phone: RDNO Planning and Building Inspections, 250-550-3700
- Email: RDNO Planning and Building Inspections, building@rdno.ca

## Key facts

- **Needed for:** A permit is required whenever regulated work is done: constructing or structurally altering a building; installing plumbing; building a new masonry chimney or installing a solid fuel appliance; and works on a property to which a building is to be moved. Adding a suite inside an existing dwelling also needs one.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 834, 2019, consolidated, s. 104.1, 601.1](https://lumby.civicweb.net/document/7441/)
  - Official wording: "A permit is required whenever work regulated under this Bylaw is to be undertaken." … "Every owner shall apply for and obtain a permit before:" … "constructing a new masonry chimney, installing a new metal chimney for a solid fuel burning appliance or installing a new solid fuel burning appliance;"
  - Source: [Planning and Building Inspection, Village planning page](https://lumby.ca/planning-and-building-inspection/)
  - Official wording: "Building Permits are required for all dwelling units which includes adding a suite within an existing dwelling."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Not needed for:** Accessory buildings under 10 m² that create no hazard (and are sited per zoning); retaining structures 1.2 m or lower; fences; non-structural repairs or alterations and plumbing repair or replacement; deck additions except a deck 0.6 m or more above the ground at any point; polyethylene-covered greenhouses for storage or farming; docks; bridges (except attached).
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 834, 2019, consolidated, s. 105.2](https://lumby.civicweb.net/document/7441/)
  - Official wording: "accessory buildings less than 10 square metres in building area that do not create" … "retaining structures 1.2 metres in height or less;" … "non-structural repairs or alterations to a building or structure or the repair or" … "deck additions, except a deck where the difference in elevation between the deck surface and the ground surface at any point is 0.6 metres or more"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How to apply:** Complete the Village's Building Permit Application form (posted on lumby.ca) and submit it; the application must be signed by the owner. Questions: Village office 250-547-2171, buildinginspection@lumby.ca, or RDNO building@rdno.ca / 250-550-3700. No online application portal was found.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 834, 2019, consolidated, s. 701.1](https://lumby.civicweb.net/document/7441/)
  - Official wording: "An application for a permit for a simple building or a structure shall be made in the form provided by the Village of Lumby and signed by the owner"
  - Source: [Inquire About Building Development, Village page](https://lumby.ca/inquire-about-building-development/)
  - Official wording: "Please email buildinginspection@lumby.ca" … "Click here to download a standard Building Permit Application"
  - Source: [Planning and Building Inspection, Village planning page](https://lumby.ca/planning-and-building-inspection/)
  - Official wording: "e. planning@rdno.ca e. building@rdno.ca To book a building inspection, please leave a voicemail on the Building Inspection Line at (250) 550-3730 with the following information:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **What to submit:** Simple building or structure: application form, contractor information form, owner's acknowledgement form, Homeowner Protection Act confirmation, a title search within 30 days, any highway access permit, plus plans. An accessory building needs a site plan and two sets of construction plans (foundation plan, two elevations, one cross section). Complex buildings also need Letters of Assurance and professional liability insurance.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 834, 2019, consolidated, s. 701.3, 602.2, 703.2](https://lumby.civicweb.net/document/7441/)
  - Official wording: "a copy of a title search made within 30 days of the date of application;" … "confirmation of compliance with the Homeowner Protection Act as applicable;" … "An application for a permit for an accessory building may be submitted with only a Site Plan and two sets of Construction Plans consisting of a Foundation Plan, two Building Elevations and one Cross Section Drawing" … "proof of professional liability insurance in the form provided by the Village of"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Processing time:** Not confirmed. The official pages do not state this detail.
- **Inspections:** Give at least two clear working days' notice. Book by leaving a voicemail on the Building Inspection Line, (250) 550-3730, with permit number, civic address, inspection required, contact name and phone, and the date wanted.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 834, 2019, consolidated, s. 903.1](https://lumby.civicweb.net/document/7441/)
  - Official wording: "The owner or representative shall give at least two clear working days' notice to the Building Official when requesting an inspection."
  - Source: [Planning and Building Inspection, Village planning page](https://lumby.ca/planning-and-building-inspection/)
  - Official wording: "To book a building inspection, please leave a voicemail on the Building Inspection Line at (250) 550-3730" … "Permit Number"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Contact:** RDNO Planning and Building Inspections Department: 250-550-3700, building@rdno.ca. Village office: 250-547-2171, buildinginspection@lumby.ca.
  - Source: [Planning and Building Inspection, Village planning page](https://lumby.ca/planning-and-building-inspection/)
  - Official wording: "Please contact the Planning and Building Inspections Department if you have any questions regarding a proposed development or the above noted Plans, Bylaws, Applications or Maps. Regional District of North Okanagan - Planning and Building Inspections Department p. 250-550-3700 e. planning@rdno.ca e. building@rdno.ca" … "e. planning@rdno.ca e. building@rdno.ca To book a building inspection, please leave a voicemail on the Building Inspection Line at (250) 550-3730 with the following information:"
  - Source: [Inquire About Building Development, Village page](https://lumby.ca/inquire-about-building-development/)
  - Official wording: "Please email buildinginspection@lumby.ca​ or contact the Village of Lumby Municipal Office for building inspection related inquiries."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Village of Lumby Building Bylaw No. 834, 2019 (consolidated; fees schedule replaced by Bylaw No. 889, 2023)
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 834, 2019, consolidated, cover](https://lumby.civicweb.net/document/7441/)
  - Official wording: "VILAGE OF LUMBY BYLAW NO. 834, 2019" … "Replace Fees and Charges Schedule A"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

Lumby's building inspection and planning are contracted to the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO). Permits are issued under the Village's [Building Bylaw No. 834](https://lumby.civicweb.net/document/7441/).

A permit is required whenever regulated work is done. That covers constructing or structurally altering a building, installing plumbing, building a new masonry chimney or installing a solid fuel appliance, and preparing a property for a building to be moved onto it. Adding a suite inside an existing dwelling also needs one.

No permit is needed for accessory buildings under 10 m² that create no hazard, retaining structures 1.2 m or lower, fences, non-structural repairs, plumbing repair or replacement, polyethylene-covered greenhouses for storage or farming, docks, or most bridges. A deck needs a permit only if it is 0.6 m or more above the ground at any point. Zoning rules on siting and size still apply to exempt structures.

## Steps

1. Call the Village office (250-547-2171) or RDNO (250-550-3700) to confirm what your project needs.
2. Complete the Village's Building Permit Application form, available on lumby.ca. The owner must sign it.
3. Attach the other forms, title search and plans listed above. Complex buildings also need Letters of Assurance and professional liability insurance.
4. Submit the package and pay the non-refundable application fee. The permit fee is due when the permit is issued.
5. Book each inspection with at least two clear working days' notice by leaving a voicemail on the Building Inspection Line, 250-550-3730. Give your permit number, civic address, the inspection needed, your name and phone, and the date you want.

## Good to know

- No online application portal was found on the Village's site.
- The Village does not state how long a permit takes to issue.
- Each building or structure on a parcel needs its own application.

## What you'll need

- Building Permit Application form, signed by the owner
- Contractor information form and owner's acknowledgement form
- Homeowner Protection Act confirmation
- Title search made within 30 days, and any highway access permit
- Plans. An accessory building needs a site plan and two sets of construction plans (foundation plan, two elevations, one cross section)

## Official forms and pages

- [Planning and Building Inspection, Village of Lumby](https://lumby.ca/planning-and-building-inspection/)
- [Inquire About Building Development, Village of Lumby](https://lumby.ca/inquire-about-building-development/)
- [Building Bylaw No. 834, 2019 (PDF)](https://lumby.civicweb.net/document/7441/)

## Related questions

- [Lumby building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Lumby permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Lumby secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/secondary-suite.md)
- [Lumby zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/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)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/building-permit.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/building-permit.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/building-permit.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/building-permit.md)
- [Enderby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/building-permit.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/building-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Bylaw No. 834, 2019, consolidated (PDF)](https://lumby.civicweb.net/document/7441/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Planning and Building Inspection, Village of Lumby](https://lumby.ca/planning-and-building-inspection/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Inquire About Building Development, Village of Lumby](https://lumby.ca/inquire-about-building-development/) (read 2026-11-08)

_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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Village of Lumby. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/building-permit/_