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

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

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

**Short answer:** In Montrose you need a building permit before constructing or altering a building or structure, and for pools, new roofing, moving or demolishing a building, wood-burning appliances and plumbing. The bylaw says apply to the Village; the Village's website says the RDKB issues permits. Confirm with the Village Office first.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Village of Montrose, https://www.montrose.ca)  
**Cost:** See the building-permit-fees answer. The fee schedule is in the 2005 Building Bylaw.  
**How long:** The bylaw and Village website do not state a processing time.  
**Where:**
- In person: Village Office, 565 11th Ave., Montrose, BC V0G 1P0 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed statutory holidays))
- Phone: Village Office, 250-367-7234
- Email: Village Office, admin@montrose.ca

## Key facts

- **Needed for:** A permit is needed before constructing or altering a building or structure, installing a manufactured or modular home or a pool, new roofing, moving a building, demolishing any residential building (or other buildings over 300 m²), masonry fireplaces or wood-burning appliances, and any plumbing work.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw (2005-1) No. 633, s. 8.1](https://www.montrose.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/633_Building.pdf)
  - Official wording: "building permit before constructing or altering a building or" … "building permit before installation of a pool" … "plumbing permit before installation, alteration or remodeling of" … "building permit before new roofing materials are applied to re-" … "building permit before demolition of all residential buildings and"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Not needed for:** The bylaw does not apply to: buildings exempted by Part 1 of the Building Code; retaining structures under 1.5 m high; roofless decks no more than 600 mm above grade; existing chimneys; minor plumbing repairs; RVs for temporary use; and seasonal greenhouse-type structures under 28 m².
  - Source: [Building Bylaw (2005-1) No. 633, s. 5.2](https://www.montrose.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/633_Building.pdf)
  - Official wording: "retaining structures less than 1.5 meters (5 ft.) in height;" … "decks without roofs having a difference in elevation to grade not" … "exceeding 600 millimeters (2ft.);" … "that are less than" … "28 square meters (300 sq. ft.)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How to apply:** The bylaw says to apply to the Village, on a form acceptable to the Village. The Village's Permits and Licenses page says building permits are issued by the RDKB and links to an RDCK (Regional District of Central Kootenay) page; it says to visit the Village Office for more information. (Sources differ: The bylaw says the Village issues permits; the web page says the RDKB does. The page also links to rdck.ca, which is a different regional district. Confirm with the Village Office before applying.)
  - Source: [Building Bylaw (2005-1) No. 633, ss. 8.1-8.2](https://www.montrose.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/633_Building.pdf)
  - Official wording: "must apply for and obtain from the Village a" … "must be in a form acceptable to the Village."
  - Source: [Permits and Licenses, Overview](https://www.montrose.ca/permits-and-licenses/)
  - Official wording: "Building Permits are issued by the RDKB:" … "Visit the Village Office for more information."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **What to submit:** When the building official requires it, a standard-building application includes a site plan (waivable for repairs or alterations), floor plans, cross-section, elevations, a foundation design by a registered professional with letters of assurance, and two sets of drawings. All plans must show the designer's name and address.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw (2005-1) No. 633, ss. 8.3, 10.1](https://www.montrose.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/633_Building.pdf)
  - Official wording: "All plans submitted with permit applications must bear the name and" … "two sets of drawings at a suitable scale of the design" … "unless a building official has waived the requirements for a site" … "When required by the building official, an application for a building per-"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Processing time:** Not confirmed. The official pages do not state this detail.
- **Inspections:** Give the Village at least 72 hours' notice to request an inspection. Required stages include damp proofing and drain tiles, plumbing, framing, insulation and a final inspection before occupancy. Additions or accessory buildings under 55 m² also need footings inspected.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw (2005-1) No. 633, s. 18.4](https://www.montrose.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/633_Building.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The owner or his or her representative shall give at least 72 hours' no-" … "tice to the Village when requesting an inspection" … "FINAL: When the building or portion thereof is completed and"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw Amendment No. 661, s. 18.4.8](https://www.montrose.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/661_Building_Amendment2007.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Any additions or accessory buildings less than 55 square metres" … "will require that footings be inspected by the building official"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Contact:** Village Office, 250-367-7234, admin@montrose.ca.
  - Source: [Contacts, Village Office](https://www.montrose.ca/contacts/)
  - Official wording: "565 11th Ave. Montrose, BC V0G 1P0 admin@montrose.ca Phone: 250-367-7234 Fax: 250-367-7288 ### Public Works publicworks@montrose.ca" … "Box 510 565 11th Ave. Montrose, BC V0G 1P0 admin@montrose.ca Phone: 250-367-7234 Fax: 250-367-7288 ### Public Works"
  - Source: [Permits and Licenses, Overview](https://www.montrose.ca/permits-and-licenses/)
  - Official wording: "Visit the Village Office for more information."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw (2005-1), Bylaw #633, as amended by Bylaw #661 (2007) and Bylaw #719 (2014)
  - Source: [Building Bylaw (2005-1) No. 633, s. 1.1](https://www.montrose.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/633_Building.pdf)
  - Official wording: "1.0 TITLE 1.1 This Bylaw may be cited for all as the "Building Bylaw (2005-1)." 1.2 The Bylaw is divided into 25 sections and a decimal numbering system" … "THE CORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF MONTROSE BYLAW #633 A BYLAW TO ESTABLISH BUILDING REGULATIONS"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw Amendment No. 719, plumbing, title](https://www.montrose.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/719-BuildingBylawAmendment-Plumbing-2015.pdf)
  - Official wording: "THE CORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF MONTROSE BYLAW #719 A BYLAW TO AMEND THE BUILDING BYLAW #633(2005-1)"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw Amendment No. 661, title](https://www.montrose.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/661_Building_Amendment2007.pdf)
  - Official wording: "THE CORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF MONTROSE BYLAW #661 A BYLAW TO AMEND BUILDING REGULATIONS IN THE VILLAGE OF MONTROSE" … "AMENDMENT 2. (1) Section 18.0 of bylaw #633 is hereby amended by adding the following inspection requirements:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

Under the Village of Montrose's [Building Bylaw 633](https://www.montrose.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/633_Building.pdf), you need a permit before constructing or altering a building or structure, installing a manufactured or modular home or a pool, putting on new roofing, moving a building, demolishing any residential building (or other buildings over 300 m²), building a masonry fireplace or installing a wood-burning appliance, and any plumbing work. Starting construction, demolition or moving without a valid permit is not allowed.

The bylaw does not apply to buildings exempted by Part 1 of the BC Building Code, retaining structures under 1.5 m high, roofless decks no more than 600 mm above grade, existing chimneys, minor plumbing repairs, recreational vehicles for temporary use, and seasonal greenhouse-type structures under 28 m².

## Steps

1. Call the Village Office to confirm who issues permits for your project. The bylaw says apply to the Village on a form it accepts, but the Village's website says the RDKB issues building permits.
2. Prepare your drawings. When the building official requires it, a standard-building application includes a site plan, floor plans, a cross-section, elevations, a foundation design by a registered professional with letters of assurance, and two sets of drawings. All plans must show the designer's name and address.
3. Residential buildings also need plumbing details, home-warranty insurance and evidence of a licensed builder (s. 13.2).
4. Pay the fees (see building-permit-fees).
5. Give the Village at least 72 hours' notice to request each inspection.

## Good to know

- Required inspections include damp proofing and drain tiles, plumbing, framing, insulation and a final inspection before occupancy. Additions and accessory buildings under 55 m² also need footings inspected.
- Bylaw 719 (2014) changed the timing of the plumbing inspection to when the system is installed but before work that would conceal it.
- Complex buildings have a longer application list in s. 9.
- Village Office: 250-367-7234, admin@montrose.ca.

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Bylaw (2005-1) No. 633 (PDF), Village of Montrose](https://www.montrose.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/633_Building.pdf)
- [Permits and Licenses, Village of Montrose](https://www.montrose.ca/permits-and-licenses/)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit.md)
- [Fruitvale](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/building-permit.md)
- [Trail](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/trail/building-permit.md)
- [Warfield](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/warfield/building-permit.md)
- [Rossland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rossland/building-permit.md)
- [Castlegar](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/building-permit.md)
- [Salmo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmo/building-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Bylaw (2005-1) No. 633 (PDF), Village of Montrose](https://www.montrose.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/633_Building.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Bylaw Amendment No. 661 (PDF), Village of Montrose](https://www.montrose.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/661_Building_Amendment2007.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Bylaw Amendment No. 719, plumbing (PDF), Village of Montrose](https://www.montrose.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/719-BuildingBylawAmendment-Plumbing-2015.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Permits and Licenses, Village of Montrose](https://www.montrose.ca/permits-and-licenses/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Contacts, Village of Montrose](https://www.montrose.ca/contacts/) (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 Montrose. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/montrose/building-permit/_