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

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

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

**Short answer:** In Nakusp, building permits are issued by the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK), not the Village. You need one to build, add to, renovate, move or demolish a building, among other work. Apply to the RDCK Building Inspector's office at 204 6th Ave NW, 250.265.4111.

**Who handles it:** Regional district (Regional District of Central Kootenay, https://www.rdck.ca)  
**Cost:** A plan-check deposit with the application ( for a single-family dwelling), then the permit fee. See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** No official page we read states a processing time. The RDCK says delays occur when information is missing.  
**Where:**
- In person: RDCK Building Inspector, Nakusp, 204 6th Ave NW, Nakusp, BC
- Phone: RDCK Building Inspector, Nakusp, 250.265.4111
- Email: RDCK Building Inspector, Nakusp, nakuspbuilding@rdck.bc.ca
- Email: Send applications as PDFs, buildingdepartment@rdck.bc.ca

## Key facts

- **Needed for:** Building permits come from the RDCK. Needed to build a new home, carport, garage or storage shed; a farm building; a commercial, industrial or public building; to renovate, add to, move or demolish a building; for structural work; a deck more than 2 feet above grade; enclosing a porch or roofing a sundeck; a retaining wall over 5 feet; a pool; a manufactured home; a change of use; or a secondary suite.
  - Source: [Licences and Permits, Building Permits](https://www.nakusp.com/licences-permits)
  - Official wording: "All building permits within the municipal boundary for Nakusp are submitted to the RDCK Building Inspector's office."
  - Source: [RDCK Building Brochure, March 2024, p. 3](https://rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-03-15-Building_Brochure_03-24.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Construct a new accessory building such as a carport," … "Construct a farm building" … "Enclose a porch or roof over a sundeck" … "Construct a retaining wall retaining more than 5 feet" … "Renovate your dwelling to create a secondary suite" … "exceeding 2 feet"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Not needed for:** RDCK Building Bylaw 2200 s. 5.2 exempts retaining structures under 5 ft high; roofless decks no more than 600 mm (2 ft) above grade; existing chimneys; replacing a valve, faucet, fixture or sprinkler head with no piping change. The RDCK brochure adds painting, landscaping, driveways, new roofing and fences.
  - Source: [RDCK Building Brochure, March 2024, p. 3](https://rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-03-15-Building_Brochure_03-24.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Landscaping, sidewalks and driveways" … "Replace kitchen cupboards" … "Fences (fence height must comply with Regional" … "The repair or replacement of a valve, faucet, fixture"
  - Source: [RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010, Building Bylaw No. 2200 s. 5.2](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bylaw-No.-2383-2014.pdf)
  - Official wording: "decks without roofs having a difference in elevation to grade not exceeding 600 millimeters (2ft)" … "the repair or replacement of a valve, faucet, fixture or sprinkler head in a plumbing system if no change in piping is required"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How to apply:** Submit to the RDCK Building Inspector's office (Nakusp: 204 6th Ave NW, 250.265.4111, nakuspbuilding@rdck.bc.ca). Forms are online at rdck.ca or at the office; applications can also be emailed as PDFs to buildingdepartment@rdck.bc.ca. Do not start work before the permit is issued and paid.
  - Source: [Licences and Permits, Building Permits](https://www.nakusp.com/licences-permits)
  - Official wording: "All building permits within the municipal boundary for Nakusp are submitted to the RDCK Building Inspector's office." … "204 6th Ave NW, Nakusp BC" … "T 250.265.4111"
  - Source: [Change of Occupancy Business Licence, Contact](https://www.nakusp.com/changeofoccupancybusinesslicence)
  - Official wording: "For questions related to occupancy requirements or building code compliance, please contact the RDCK Building Department in Nakusp at 250.265.4111 or nakuspbuilding@rdck.bc.ca."
  - Source: [Permit Application, RDCK](https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/permit-application/)
  - Official wording: "Permit applications can be submitted in PDF form to buildingdepartment@rdck.bc.ca." … "Construction must not commence before a building permit has been issued and paid for."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **What to submit:** Completed application form and the plan-check deposit; two sets of building plans (floor, elevation, cross-section); a site plan; a title search dated within 30 days; BC Housing new home registration (new dwellings); sewage and highway access permits where they apply; professional certification and energy reports when required.
  - Source: [RDCK Building Brochure, March 2024, p. 4](https://rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-03-15-Building_Brochure_03-24.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Two sets of detailed building plans." … "A current copy of your Title Search is required, dated within 30 days" … "SITE PLAN" … "BC HOUSING REQUIREMENTS"
  - Source: [Permit Application, RDCK](https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/permit-application/)
  - Official wording: "An application submitted for a building permit must be accompanied by the appropriate plan-check deposit fee"
  - 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 Building Official at least 72 hours' notice, quoting permit number, site address, owner's name and type of inspection. Inspections line: (250) 352-8155.
  - Source: [RDCK Building Brochure, March 2024, p. 9, 11](https://rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-03-15-Building_Brochure_03-24.pdf)
  - Official wording: "at least 72 hours prior" … "INSPECTIONS LINE: (250) 352-8155"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Contact:** RDCK Building Inspector, Nakusp: 204 6th Ave NW, 250.265.4111, nakuspbuilding@rdck.bc.ca.
  - Source: [Licences and Permits, Building Permits](https://www.nakusp.com/licences-permits)
  - Official wording: "204 6th Ave NW, Nakusp BC" … "T 250.265.4111"
  - Source: [Change of Occupancy Business Licence, Contact](https://www.nakusp.com/changeofoccupancybusinesslicence)
  - Official wording: "For questions related to occupancy requirements or building code compliance, please contact the RDCK Building Department in Nakusp at 250.265.4111 or nakuspbuilding@rdck.bc.ca."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (Regional District of Central Kootenay). The Village's own Building Bylaw No. 592 is posted as "No Enforcement"
  - Source: [https://nakusp.civicweb.net/document/15437/, s. 3.30.1](https://nakusp.civicweb.net/document/15437/)
  - Official wording: "Regional District of Central Kootenay Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010, as amended from time to time."
  - Source: [Bylaw library](https://nakusp.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/5589/)
  - Official wording: "Bylaw 592 - Building Bylaw Consolidated - No Enforcement"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

Within Nakusp's boundary, all building permits go to the RDCK Building Inspector's office, which checks plans and inspects the work under the RDCK's [Building Bylaw No. 2200](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bylaw-No.-2383-2014.pdf). The Village's own Building Bylaw No. 592 is posted as "No Enforcement". Do not start work before the permit is issued and paid for.

You need a permit to build a new home, carport, garage, storage shed or farm building; a commercial, industrial or public building; to renovate, add to, move or demolish a building; for structural work; to build a deck more than 2 feet above grade; to enclose a porch or roof a sundeck; for a retaining wall over 5 feet; a pool; a manufactured home; a change of use; or a secondary suite.

You do not need one for a retaining structure under 5 feet high, a roofless deck no more than 600 mm (2 ft) above grade, an existing chimney, or replacing a valve, faucet, fixture or sprinkler head with no piping change. The RDCK brochure also lists painting, landscaping, driveways, new roofing and fences.

## Steps

1. Call or email the RDCK Building Inspector in Nakusp to confirm what your project needs.
2. Get the form at rdck.ca or the office and gather your documents.
3. Submit with the plan-check deposit at 204 6th Ave NW, or email PDFs to buildingdepartment@rdck.bc.ca.
4. Pay the balance when the permit is issued, then book inspections.

## Good to know

- Give the Building Official at least 72 hours' notice for an inspection. Say the permit number, site address, owner's name and type of inspection. Inspections line: (250) 352-8155.
- RDCK checklists exist for accessory buildings, decks, secondary suites, pools and more, linked on the RDCK Permit Application page.
- A business moving into a space may need RDCK occupancy approval first.

## What you'll need

- Completed application form and the plan-check deposit
- Two sets of building plans (floor, elevation, cross-section)
- Site plan
- Title search dated within 30 days
- BC Housing new home registration (new dwellings)
- Sewage and highway access permits, professional certification and energy reports, where they apply

## Official forms and pages

- [Building permits, Village of Nakusp](https://www.nakusp.com/licences-permits)
- [Permit Application, RDCK](https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/permit-application/)
- [RDCK Building Brochure, March 2024 (PDF)](https://rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-03-15-Building_Brochure_03-24.pdf)
- [RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200 (PDF)](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bylaw-No.-2383-2014.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit.md)
- [New Denver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-denver/building-permit.md)
- [Silverton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/building-permit.md)
- [Slocan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/building-permit.md)
- [Kaslo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kaslo/building-permit.md)
- [Revelstoke](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/building-permit.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/building-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Licences and Permits, Village of Nakusp](https://www.nakusp.com/licences-permits) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Permit Application, RDCK](https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/permit-application/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [RDCK Building Brochure, March 2024 (PDF)](https://rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-03-15-Building_Brochure_03-24.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (PDF)](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bylaw-No.-2383-2014.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Change of Occupancy Business Licence, Village of Nakusp](https://www.nakusp.com/changeofoccupancybusinesslicence) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaw library, Village of Nakusp](https://nakusp.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/5589/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [https://nakusp.civicweb.net/document/15437/](https://nakusp.civicweb.net/document/15437/) (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 Regional District of Central Kootenay. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nakusp/building-permit/_