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

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

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

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.

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.Building Bylaw No. 2294, Building Bylaw s. 7.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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,
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.Building Bylaw No. 2294, Building Bylaw s. 3.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
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.Apply For A Building Permit, Apply For A Building Permit page; Single and Two Family Dwelling checklist, Single & Two Family Dwelling checklist · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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. REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL DRAWINGS: (Digital Submission only)
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.Single and Two Family Dwelling checklist, Single & Two Family Dwelling checklist · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
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.Apply For A Building Permit, Booking an Inspection; Building Bylaw No. 2294, Building Bylaw s. 10.33 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 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
Contact	Development Services (Building Services), City Hall, 216 Mackenzie Avenue: building@revelstoke.ca or 250-837-3637.Single and Two Family Dwelling checklist, Checklist header; Building Services · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 216 Mackenzie Ave, Revelstoke, BC 250-837-3637 \| building@revelstoke.ca Issuing building, demolition and plumbing permits
Bylaw	City of Revelstoke Building Bylaw No. 2294Building Bylaw No. 2294, Building Bylaw s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording City of Revelstoke Building Bylaw No.

How it works

Building Services (part of Development Services) issues building, demolition and plumbing permits. The City's Building Bylaw 2294 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

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.
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.
Submit it. The City requests an intake fee to cover the first review.
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.
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

The same question in other places

Sicamous · Enderby · Nakusp · Armstrong · Spallumcheen · Golden

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

Sources

Apply For A Building Permit, City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)
Building Services, City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)
Building Bylaw No. 2294 (PDF), City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)
Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2256, consolidated (PDF), City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)
Single and Two Family Dwelling checklist (PDF), City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)
Building and Plumbing Permit Application (PDF), City of Revelstoke (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. How answers are checked.