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

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

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

Short answer

In Penticton you need a City building permit to construct, renovate, demolish, move or change the use of a building. New houses, duplexes and townhomes apply online through CloudPermit; other projects use the City's forms, submitted at City Hall. A free pre-application meeting is available.

Key facts

Needed for	A permit is needed to construct, renovate, demolish, move or change the use of a building. Examples: finishing a basement, creating a secondary suite, converting a garage or enclosing a carport, a pool or hot tub, a deck over 600 mm or attached to a building, an accessory building over 10 m², a retaining wall over 1.2 m.Building Permits, Building Permits page; When Are Permits Required? Building Bulletin 13-01 (revised March 7, 2025), Bulletin 13-01, ss. 2, 3, 5, 6; Building Bylaw No. 2021-21 (consolidated March 21, 2024), s. 7.1; Landscaping, Pools and Water Features, When is a Permit Required? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A building permit is required if you plan to construct, renovate, demolish or change the use of a building. Finish an existing basement Install a swimming pool or hot tub Create a secondary suite; i) higher than 600 mm (23.6 inches), Construct/demolish an accessory building(s) more than 10m2 (108sqft) in building area; unless a building official has issued a valid and subsisting permit for the work under this bylaw. Construct Retaining walls over 1.2 metres in height, or stacked walls
Not needed for	The Building Bylaw does not apply to: fences (except retaining walls under Part 21), an accessory building under 10 m² that is not a potential unsafe condition, a trellis or arbour, a retaining wall under 1.2 m, landscaping, and decks or patios under 600 mm from the ground that are not attached to a building and have no walls or roofs.Building Bylaw No. 2021-21 (consolidated March 21, 2024), s. 6.3; Building Permits, Which Projects don't Require a Permit? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10m2, that does not constitute a potential unsafe condition a trellis or arbour a retaining wall supporting soil that is: less than 1.2m in height, landscaping or other surfacing of land decks or patios which are less than 600mm from the ground or finished grade, which are not attached to a building and have no walls or roofs Work under the jurisdiction of Technical Safety BC such as Electrical or Gas
How to apply	Online through CloudPermit (create an account) for new residential construction: single family dwellings, duplexes and townhomes. Existing-building or commercial projects use the City's application forms, submitted at City Hall (digital drawings accepted). A free pre-application meeting can be booked on 250-490-2501.Online Permits; Building Permits, Step 1: Speak with Us · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Currently only new residential construction is online - New Single Family Dwellings, Duplex, and Townhomes. If your project is for anything existing or commercial, etc. this application would be made using our permit application forms and hardcopies. We accept digital drawings, so no hard copies are needed. please contact our Building or Planning department (250-490-2501) to arrange a pre-application meeting.
What to submit	Simple (Part 9) buildings: application form signed by the owner, the application fee, the owner's signed acknowledgement, a title search made within 30 days, a survey plan (may be waived), a site plan and floor plans naming the designer. Online: drawings and documents as separate PDF files.Building Bylaw No. 2021-21 (consolidated March 21, 2024), s. 14.7; Online Permits, Electronic file requirements · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording An application for a building permit with respect to a simple building must be made in the prescribed form and signed by the owner include a copy of a title search for the relevant property made within 30 days of the date of the permit application; include a copy of a survey plan prepared by a British Columbia Land Surveyor except that the include floor plans showing the dimensions and uses of all areas Submit all drawings and documents in PDF format unless noted
Processing time	No guaranteed timelines. Target after a complete application: Xpress permits 5-14 days (simple residential projects, 1-14 business days for the Residential Xpress service), new construction or major renovation 21 days, complex multi-family or commercial 45 days.Building Permit Timelines · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording While there are no guaranteed timelines for building permits Xpress Permits (including demolition permits): Other Residential and Commercial Xpress 5-14 days New Construction: Residential and Commercial Xpress 21 days New Construction: Complex Multi-family and Commercial Projects 45 days
Inspections	Request inspections through your CloudPermit account (or MyCity once the permit is issued). For simple buildings give at least 24 hours' notice per inspection; for complex buildings, 48 hours' notice for pre-construction and pre-occupancy reviews.Online Permits, Digital Permit Stages; Building Permit Timelines; Building Bylaw No. 2021-21 (consolidated March 21, 2024), ss. 14.44, 14.4x · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording request the inspection through CloudPermit schedule inspections once permit is issued the owner must give at least 24 hours give at least 48 hours
Contact	Building Department, City Hall, 171 Main St: 250-490-2571, buildinginfo@penticton.ca.Sources differ: The main Building Permits page and the carriage house page list 250-490-2501 for the Building Department; the permit fees, timelines and bulletin pages list 250-490-2571.Building Permit Timelines, Contact Us; When Are Permits Required? Building Bulletin 13-01 (revised March 7, 2025), p. 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Some projects requiring multi-department reviews may take longer. Please contact our office if you are making a large project application to arrange for a pre-application meeting. ##### Contact Us Building Department Phone: 250-490-2571 Email: buildinginfo@penticton.ca ## Have Questions? - Contact Us ##### Contact Us Building Department Phone: 250-490-2571 Email: buildinginfo@penticton.ca ## Have Questions? - Contact Us Building Department Development Services on the first floor at 171 Main St, Penticton, BC.
Bylaw	Building Bylaw No. 2021-21Building Bylaw No. 2021-21 (consolidated March 21, 2024), s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Building Bylaw No. 2021-21

How it works

The Building Department administers Building Bylaw No. 2021-21 and, through it, the BC Building Code. The bylaw requires a permit for any construction, alteration or change of use unless it exempts the work. Examples that need one: finishing a basement, creating a secondary suite, converting a garage or enclosing a carport, a pool or hot tub, a deck over 600 mm or attached to a building, an accessory building over 10 m², and a retaining wall over 1.2 m.

Steps

Check the project against the City's permit guide and your zoning on the Property Viewer.
For a complicated project, book a free pre-application meeting with the Building or Planning department on 250-490-2501.
Prepare the application for your project type. For a simple building this means the form signed by the owner, a title search made within 30 days, a site plan and floor plans naming the designer, and a survey plan (which may be waived). A signed Agency Agreement is needed if an agent applies for you.
Apply: new houses, duplexes and townhomes in CloudPermit; existing-building and commercial projects with the City's forms at City Hall (digital drawings accepted).
Pay the non-refundable application fee when you apply. Check progress in MyCity.
Once the permit is issued, book inspections through CloudPermit or MyCity. For simple buildings give at least 24 hours' notice per inspection.

Good to know

The bylaw does not apply to fences (other than retaining walls), an accessory building under 10 m² that is not a hazard, a trellis or arbour, a retaining wall under 1.2 m, landscaping, and decks or patios under 600 mm that are free-standing with no walls or roof. The City page also lists roof shingling, like-for-like window and siding replacement, painting and flooring.
Electrical and gas permits come from Technical Safety BC, not the City.
Work near creeks, lakes or steep slopes may still need a review.
The two phone numbers for the Building Department differ between City pages; try the other if one does not answer.

What you'll need

Completed application form and checklist for your project type
Agency Agreement signed by the owner, if someone else applies for you
Drawings and documents as separate PDF files, for online applications

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Summerland · Peachland · Oliver · Keremeos · West Kelowna · Kelowna

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

Sources

Building Permits, City of Penticton (read 2026-10-29)
Online Permits, City of Penticton (read 2026-10-29)
When Are Permits Required? Building Bulletin 13-01 (revised March 7, 2025) (PDF) (read 2026-10-29)
Building Permit Timelines, City of Penticton (read 2026-10-29)
Building Bylaw No. 2021-21 (consolidated March 21, 2024) (PDF), City of Penticton (read 2026-11-05)
Building Permit Fees, City of Penticton (read 2026-11-05)
Landscaping, Pools and Water Features, City of Penticton (read 2026-11-05)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 8 of 8 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.