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

# Revelstoke 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 Revelstoke you need a City permit before you build, repair or alter a building or structure, demolish or move one, change its use, or change the plumbing. Fences and accessory buildings under 10 m² are generally exempt from the Building Bylaw. Apply to Building Services with the City's application package.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Revelstoke, https://www.revelstoke.ca)  
**Cost:** $126 base fee plus $11 per $1,000 of construction value for a house or accessory building. An intake fee is requested when you submit. See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** The City does not publish a review time. An application expires 180 days after a complete application is received if no permit has been issued.  
**Where:**
- In person: Building Services, City Hall, 216 Mackenzie Avenue, Revelstoke, BC (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Phone: Building Services, 250-837-3637
- Email: Building Services, building@revelstoke.ca

## Key facts

- **Needed for:** A permit is required before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure (including a pool or retaining wall), moving or demolishing one, occupying a new building, putting in a masonry fireplace, wood-burning appliance or chimney, changing a building's use or occupancy, or changing or adding to plumbing.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2294, Building Bylaw s. 7.1](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/42465)
  - Official wording: "every owner must apply for and obtain a permit , prior to:" … "constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure, including a pool or retaining wall;" … "demolishing a building or structure;" … "changing the use or occupancy of a building;" … "making changes to or adding to an existing plumbing system,"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Not needed for:** The Building Bylaw does not apply to: a fence (but retaining walls are covered), an accessory building under 10 m² unless it creates a hazard, a trellis or arbour, a wall holding soil that is under 1.22 m high, or similar landscape structures.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2294, Building Bylaw s. 3.3](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/42465)
  - Official wording: "This bylaw does not apply to:" … "a) Except as set out in Part 11 [Retaining walls] of this bylaw, a fence;" … "b) an accessory building with a building area of less than 10 square metres unless the" … "a wall supporting soil that is less than 1.22 metres in height"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Complete the City's Building and Plumbing Permit Application package (PDF) with a Site Disclosure Statement. Drawings are digital (PDF) only. On submission the City requests an intake fee; the Clerks later release the permit and collect the final fees.
  - Source: [Apply For A Building Permit, Apply For A Building Permit page](https://www.revelstoke.ca/420/Apply-For-A-Building-Permit)
  - Official wording: "the City of Revelstoke provides a Building Permit Application for your Building Permit. Do not forget to complete the Site Disclosure Statement!" … "the City of Revelstoke will request an intake fee which will cover the initial review of the application."
  - Source: [Single and Two Family Dwelling checklist, Single & Two Family Dwelling checklist](https://www.revelstoke.ca/DocumentCenter/View/13115/Single-and-Two-Family-Dwelling-Fillable-PDF)
  - Official wording: "REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL DRAWINGS: (Digital Submission only)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **What to submit:** Signed Building Permit Application package with construction value; Development Permit or variance approvals if needed; appointment of agent form if applying for the owner; plumbing permit; BC Energy compliance report; Site Disclosure Statement where required; Schedule B letters of assurance if a professional is retained; PDF site plan, floor plans, elevations and cross sections.
  - Source: [Single and Two Family Dwelling checklist, Single & Two Family Dwelling checklist](https://www.revelstoke.ca/DocumentCenter/View/13115/Single-and-Two-Family-Dwelling-Fillable-PDF)
  - Official wording: "Completed and Signed Building" … "Appointment of Agent Form" … "BC Energy Compliance Report" … "PDF copy of each plan is required with permit application" … "Site Disclosure Statement"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Processing time:** Not confirmed. The published pages do not say how long a permit takes.
- **Inspections:** Email building@revelstoke.ca or call (250) 837-3637 with the permit number, address and type of inspection. The Building Bylaw requires at least 48 hours' notice (written under s. 7.15); the City web page says 24 hours. Work must be complete and ready. Inspections are first come, first served; cost is in the permit fee. (Sources differ: The City web page says 24 hours; Building Bylaw 10.33 (and 7.15) says at least 48 hours for simple buildings. Bylaw wins, so the notice period is likely 48 hours in writing.)
  - Source: [Apply For A Building Permit, Booking an Inspection](https://www.revelstoke.ca/420/Apply-For-A-Building-Permit)
  - Official wording: "To arrange an inspection, please email the team at building@revelstoke.ca or call (250) 837-3637." … "24 hours notice is required prior to any inspection request." … "The cost of these inspections are included in the Building Permit Fees"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2294, Building Bylaw s. 10.33](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/42465)
  - Official wording: "For all work in respect of simple buildings the owner must give at least 48 hours’ notice to" … "10.33. For all work in respect of simple buildings the owner must give at least 48 hours’ notice to" … "7.15. Without limiting sections 10.30 to 10.46, every owner must give at least 48 hours’ written"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Contact:** Development Services (Building Services), City Hall, 216 Mackenzie Avenue: building@revelstoke.ca or 250-837-3637.
  - Source: [Single and Two Family Dwelling checklist, Checklist header](https://www.revelstoke.ca/DocumentCenter/View/13115/Single-and-Two-Family-Dwelling-Fillable-PDF)
  - Official wording: "216 Mackenzie Ave, Revelstoke, BC" … "250-837-3637 | building@revelstoke.ca"
  - Source: [Building Services](https://www.revelstoke.ca/170/Building-Services)
  - Official wording: "Issuing building, demolition and plumbing permits"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of Revelstoke Building Bylaw No. 2294
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2294, Building Bylaw s. 1](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/42465)
  - Official wording: "City of Revelstoke Building Bylaw No."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Building Services (part of Development Services) issues building, demolition and plumbing permits. The City's [Building Bylaw 2294](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/42465) says every owner must get a permit before:

- constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure, including a pool or retaining wall
- demolishing or moving a building or structure
- occupying a new building
- building a masonry fireplace or installing a wood-burning appliance or chimney
- changing a building's use or occupancy
- changing or adding to the plumbing

The City does not issue electrical, gas or septic permits; those come from Technical Safety BC and Interior Health.

The bylaw does not apply to a fence (retaining walls are still covered), an accessory building under 10 m² unless it creates a hazard, a trellis or arbour, a wall holding soil that is under 1.22 m high, or similar landscape structures. Zoning rules such as setbacks and height still apply to these.

## Steps

1. Check your property's zoning before you design (see the zoning-lookup answer). If you need a Development Permit or a variance, get it first.
2. Fill in the Building and Plumbing Permit Application package, and the Site Disclosure Statement where required. Use the checklist for your building type. Drawings are digital (PDF) only.
3. Submit it. The City requests an intake fee to cover the first review.
4. The Clerks later release the permit and collect the final fees. A permit not picked up and released within 6 months of notice is closed.
5. Book each inspection by email to building@revelstoke.ca or by phone at 250-837-3637, giving the permit number, address and type of inspection. Work must be complete and ready.

## Good to know

- Inspections are first come, first served, and their cost is included in the permit fee.
- The Building Bylaw asks for at least 48 hours' written notice for an inspection. The City's web page says 24 hours. Allow 48 hours, or confirm with Building Services.
- A permit is valid if construction starts within 12 months.
- The City does not state a review time.
- The City's checklist is for single and two-family homes. Secondary suites, tenant and landlord improvements, and multi-family or complex buildings have separate checklists, and the City may ask for more items after review.

## What you'll need

- Completed and signed Building and Plumbing Permit Application package, with the construction value
- Site Disclosure Statement, where required
- Development Permit or variance approvals, if your project needs them
- Appointment of Agent form, if someone applies for the owner
- BC Energy compliance report
- Schedule B letters of assurance, if a professional is retained
- PDF site plan, floor plans, elevations and cross sections (digital submission only)

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Permit Application package (PDF)](https://www.revelstoke.ca/DocumentCenter/View/5084/CoR-Building-Permit-Application-Package)
- [Single and Two Family Dwelling checklist (PDF)](https://www.revelstoke.ca/DocumentCenter/View/13115/Single-and-Two-Family-Dwelling-Fillable-PDF)
- [Building Application Forms and Guides (checklists, demolition and interior renovation forms)](https://www.revelstoke.ca/2062/Building-Application-Forms-and-Guides)
- [Building Bylaw No. 2294 (PDF)](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/42465)

## Related questions

- [Revelstoke building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Revelstoke permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Revelstoke zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/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)
- [Sicamous](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sicamous/building-permit.md)
- [Enderby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/building-permit.md)
- [Nakusp](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nakusp/building-permit.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/building-permit.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/building-permit.md)
- [Golden](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/building-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Apply For A Building Permit, City of Revelstoke](https://www.revelstoke.ca/420/Apply-For-A-Building-Permit) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Services, City of Revelstoke](https://www.revelstoke.ca/170/Building-Services) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw No. 2294 (PDF), City of Revelstoke](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/42465) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2256, consolidated (PDF), City of Revelstoke](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/145989) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Single and Two Family Dwelling checklist (PDF), City of Revelstoke](https://www.revelstoke.ca/DocumentCenter/View/13115/Single-and-Two-Family-Dwelling-Fillable-PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building and Plumbing Permit Application (PDF), City of Revelstoke](https://www.revelstoke.ca/DocumentCenter/View/5084/CoR-Building-Permit-Application-Package) (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 Revelstoke. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/building-permit/_