---
title: "Merritt building permits: when you need one and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?"
place: Merritt, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/merritt
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Merritt
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/building-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/building-permit.json"
---

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

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

**Short answer:** Yes. In the City of Merritt a building permit is required for new construction and renovations, with a short list of exceptions such as fences, small sheds and low decks. Apply online through CloudPermit. Planning & Development Services can be reached at 250-378-8615.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Merritt, https://www.merritt.ca)  
**Cost:** A non-refundable $200 application fee, applied to the final permit fee, then a fee based on the value of the work. See the building permit fees answer (2026 rates).  
**How long:** The City's pages and the Building Bylaw do not state a processing time.  
**Where:**
- Online: CloudPermit (City of Merritt permit portal), https://ca.cloudpermit.com/gov/login
- Email: Building and Inspections, building@merritt.ca
- Phone: Planning & Development Services (Building & Inspections), 250-378-8615
- In person: City Hall, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed 12:00 to 1:15 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Needed for:** A building permit is required for new construction or renovations, and for work regulated by the Building Bylaw: construction, alteration, demolition, removal, relocation or change of use or occupancy of a building or structure, and any retaining wall over 1.2 m.
  - Source: [Building Services, Building Services page](https://www.merritt.ca/business-development/planning-development/building-services/)
  - Official wording: "A building permit is required for new construction or renovations."
  - Source: [City of Merritt Building Bylaw No. 2382, 2024, consolidated to Amendment Bylaw 2416 (February 10, 2026), s. 4.1, s. 11.1](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Bylaw_2382_2024_City_of_Merritt_Building_Code_and_Regulation-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A person must not commence or continue any construction, alteration, excavation, reconstruction," … "No person may construct, or structurally repair, a retaining wall without a building permit."
  - Source: [City of Merritt Building Bylaw No. 2382, 2024, consolidated to Amendment Bylaw 2416 (February 10, 2026), definitions](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Bylaw_2382_2024_City_of_Merritt_Building_Code_and_Regulation-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)
  - Official wording: "retaining wall means a structure exceeding 1.2 metres in height"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Not needed for:** Bylaw: fences (except retaining walls); accessory buildings under 10 m² that are not a potential unsafe condition; trellises, arbours and soil-retaining walls under 1.2 m on single-family residential parcels; decks or patios under 600 mm above grade with no walls or roof; repair and maintenance that lowers no safety level. (Sources differ: Building Services web page lists accessory buildings under 100 sq ft and retaining walls under 1 m as not needing a permit; the bylaw says under 10 m² (about 108 sq ft) and under 1.2 m. Bylaw followed. The page also notes a Development Permit or Sign Permit may still be needed.)
  - Source: [City of Merritt Building Bylaw No. 2382, 2024, consolidated to Amendment Bylaw 2416 (February 10, 2026), s. 3.3](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Bylaw_2382_2024_City_of_Merritt_Building_Code_and_Regulation-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This bylaw does not apply to" … "an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres, that does not" … "a wall supporting soil that is less than 1.2 metres in height" … "decks or patios which are less than 600mm from the ground or finished grade and have no walls or" … "repair and maintenance of lawfully-conforming structures where the level of life safety and"
  - Source: [Building Services, Building Services page](https://www.merritt.ca/business-development/planning-development/building-services/)
  - Official wording: "Accessory buildings under 100 sq ft" … "Construction of a retaining wall less than one (1) metre in height"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Online through CloudPermit (create an account with an email address, start an application, upload drawings, sign off and submit). Payment is online through CloudPermit or in person at City Hall by cash, debit or cheque.
  - Source: [Building Services, Building Services page](https://www.merritt.ca/business-development/planning-development/building-services/)
  - Official wording: "The City of Merritt uses CloudPermit to receive building permit applications."
  - Source: [CloudPermit Step-by-Step Guide, Step by step guide](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CloudPermit-Step-by-Step-Guide.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Go to the Cloudpermit site at https://ca.cloudpermit.com/login" … "If you would prefer, you can also pay by cash, debit, or cheque at the municipal office during business" … "hours."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **What to submit:** Application form signed by the owner, owner's undertaking, title search made within 30 days, survey plan (may be waived), site plan, floor plans, cross-section, elevations and two sets of drawings. CloudPermit needs at least a site plan and detail drawing. Complex buildings need more, including professional letters of assurance.
  - Source: [City of Merritt Building Bylaw No. 2382, 2024, consolidated to Amendment Bylaw 2416 (February 10, 2026), s. 10.4](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Bylaw_2382_2024_City_of_Merritt_Building_Code_and_Regulation-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)
  - Official wording: "be accompanied by the owner's acknowledgment of responsibility and undertaking made using" … "include a copy of a title search for the relevant property made within 30 days of the date of the" … "include two sets of drawings at a suitable scale of design including the information set out in"
  - Source: [CloudPermit Step-by-Step Guide, Attachments](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CloudPermit-Step-by-Step-Guide.pdf)
  - Official wording: "All projects require a minimum of" … "a site plan and detail drawing to be attached."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Processing time:** Not confirmed. The official pages do not state this detail.
- **Inspections:** Booked through CloudPermit. Requests made before 12:00 p.m. are for the following business day, and inspections are completed within two business days. The bylaw requires at least 2 business days' notice for each inspection of simple buildings.
  - Source: [CloudPermit Step-by-Step Guide, To request an inspection](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CloudPermit-Step-by-Step-Guide.pdf)
  - Official wording: "INSPECTION REQUESTS MUST BE MADE PRIOR TO 12:00 PM FOR THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS" … "WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN TWO BUSINESS DAYS."
  - Source: [City of Merritt Building Bylaw No. 2382, 2024, consolidated to Amendment Bylaw 2416 (February 10, 2026), s. 10.28](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Bylaw_2382_2024_City_of_Merritt_Building_Code_and_Regulation-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the owner must give at least 2 business days notice to the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Contact:** Planning & Development Services (Building & Inspections), 2185 Voght Street, 250-378-8615, building@merritt.ca. Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed 12:00 to 1:15 p.m.
  - Source: [Contact, Contact page](https://www.merritt.ca/contact/)
  - Official wording: "Planning & Development Services" … "250-378-8615" … "building@merritt.ca" … "Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of Merritt Building Bylaw No. 2382, 2024
  - Source: [City of Merritt Building Bylaw No. 2382, 2024, consolidated to Amendment Bylaw 2416 (February 10, 2026), title](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Bylaw_2382_2024_City_of_Merritt_Building_Code_and_Regulation-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)
  - Official wording: "“City of Merritt Building Bylaw No. 2382, 2024”" … "Consolidated For Convenience – February 11, 2026"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Merritt requires a building permit for new construction or renovations, and for work covered by the [Building Bylaw No. 2382, 2024](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Bylaw_2382_2024_City_of_Merritt_Building_Code_and_Regulation-CONSOLIDATED.pdf): construction, alteration, demolition, removal, relocation, or a change of use or occupancy of a building or structure. A retaining wall over 1.2 m also needs one. Electrical and gas permits come from Technical Safety BC, not the City.

## Steps

1. Check the exemptions below. If unsure, call 250-378-8615 or email building@merritt.ca.
2. Check whether your property is in an Official Community Plan development permit area. If so, a Development Permit may be needed first.
3. Apply through CloudPermit: create an account with an email address, start an application, upload drawings, sign off and submit. At minimum CloudPermit needs a site plan and a detail drawing.
4. Pay the fee online through CloudPermit, or in person at City Hall by cash, debit or cheque.
5. Book inspections in CloudPermit. A request made before 12:00 p.m. is for the following business day, and inspections are completed within two business days. The bylaw requires at least 2 business days' notice for each inspection of a simple building.

## Good to know

- No building permit is needed for fences (except retaining walls), accessory buildings under 10 m2 that are not a potential unsafe condition, trellises, arbours and soil-retaining walls under 1.2 m on single-family residential parcels, decks or patios under 600 mm above grade with no walls or roof, or repair and maintenance that lowers no safety level.
- The City's Building Services page gives smaller figures (accessory buildings under 100 sq ft, retaining walls under 1 m). The bylaw is followed here; confirm with the City before building.
- A contractor who will request inspections must first be added to the application as a party.
- An application expires 180 days after a complete application is received if no permit has been issued.

## What you'll need

- Application form signed by the owner, and the owner's undertaking
- Title search made within 30 days
- Survey plan (may be waived), site plan, floor plans, cross-section and elevations
- Complex buildings need more, including professional letters of assurance

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Services (City of Merritt)](https://www.merritt.ca/business-development/planning-development/building-services/)
- [Building Bylaw No. 2382, 2024 (PDF)](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Bylaw_2382_2024_City_of_Merritt_Building_Code_and_Regulation-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)
- [CloudPermit Step-by-Step Guide (PDF)](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CloudPermit-Step-by-Step-Guide.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Merritt building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Merritt fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/fence-rules.md)
- [Merritt permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/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)
- [Logan Lake](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/logan-lake/building-permit.md)
- [Lytton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lytton/building-permit.md)
- [Kamloops](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/building-permit.md)
- [Princeton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/building-permit.md)
- [Ashcroft](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ashcroft/building-permit.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/building-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Services, City of Merritt](https://www.merritt.ca/business-development/planning-development/building-services/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [City of Merritt Building Bylaw No. 2382, 2024 (PDF), consolidated to Amendment Bylaw 2416 (February 10, 2026)](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Bylaw_2382_2024_City_of_Merritt_Building_Code_and_Regulation-CONSOLIDATED.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [CloudPermit Step-by-Step Guide (PDF), City of Merritt](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CloudPermit-Step-by-Step-Guide.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Contact, City of Merritt](https://www.merritt.ca/contact/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2386, 2024 (PDF), Schedule E](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Fees-and-Charges-Amendments-as-at-December-2025-CONSOLIDATED.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 City of Merritt. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/building-permit/_