---
title: Salmon Arm building permit fees
question: "How much does a building permit cost?"
place: Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/salmon-arm
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Salmon Arm
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmon-arm/building-permit-fees/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmon-arm/building-permit-fees.json"
---

# Salmon Arm building permit fees

**Question:** How much does a building permit cost?

**Short answer:** A Salmon Arm building permit costs $200 for the first $15,000 of building value (or part of it), plus $8 for each additional $1,000 (or part) up to $500,000 and $6.50 for each additional $1,000 over $500,000. The $200 is paid when you apply and is non-refundable. Swimming pool, retaining wall and demolition permits are $100 each.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Salmon Arm, https://www.salmonarm.ca)  
**Cost:** $200 for the first $15,000 of value, plus $8 per additional $1,000 up to $500,000, plus $6.50 per additional $1,000 over $500,000.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Building Department, 250-803-4003
- In person: City Hall, Development Services, 500 - 2nd Avenue NE, Salmon Arm

## Key facts

- **Lowest fee:** $200, a non-refundable application fee that covers the permit fee for the first $15,000 (or part) of building value. Swimming pool, retaining wall and demolition permits are $100 each.
  - Source: [Fee for Services Bylaw No. 2498 (PDF, consolidated August 24, 2026), Schedule B, Appendix 4, s. 1.11.1(a)](https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/2040)
  - Official wording: "Non-refundable building permit application fee which will be applied to the" … "building permit fee for the first $15,000 or fraction thereof of building value $200.00" … "Swimming pools $100.00" … "Retaining wall $100.00" … "Demolition Permit $100.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How the fee is worked out:** $200 for the first $15,000 of building value or part of it, plus $8 for each additional $1,000 (or part) up to $500,000, plus $6.50 for each additional $1,000 (or part) over $500,000. Reduced 5% for permits relying on professional plan certification; 50% off priority purpose-built rental housing; waived for priority affordable housing.
  - Source: [Fee for Services Bylaw No. 2498 (PDF, consolidated August 24, 2026), Schedule B, Appendix 4, s. 1.11.1](https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/2040)
  - Official wording: "For each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof of building value up to $500,000" … "of building value over $500,000 (ii) (ii) $ 6.50" … "The permit fee is reduced by 5%, for permits issued for standard or complex buildings which rely on"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 4725, s. 15.3](https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/204)
  - Official wording: "To determine the permit fee, the valuation of construction shall be the total current monetary"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Application or plan review fee:** $200 non-refundable fee paid when applying; it is credited against the permit fee at issuance.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 4725, s. 15.1](https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/204)
  - Official wording: "At permit application, the owner must pay the non-refundable fee prescribed by the City Fee" … "for Services Bylaw which shall be credited against the permit fee at issuance."
  - Source: [Fee for Services Bylaw No. 2498 (PDF, consolidated August 24, 2026), Schedule B, Appendix 4, s. 1.11.1(a)](https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/2040)
  - Official wording: "Non-refundable building permit application fee which will be applied to the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees:** Plumbing permit: $35 minimum per fixture, $8 each additional. Swimming pool, retaining wall, demolition: $100 each. Re-inspection after the first: $50 plus GST. Security deposit $1,000 for a dwelling job over $10,000 (or an owner's agreement); demolition deposit $2,000 simple, $5,000 complex. Starting without a permit after a stop-work order adds 100% of the fee, up to $10,000.
  - Source: [Fee for Services Bylaw No. 2498 (PDF, consolidated August 24, 2026), Schedule B, Appendix 4, s. 1.11.2, 1.11.3, 1.11.6](https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/2040)
  - Official wording: "Minimum fee, per fixture or appurtenance $35.00" … "Each additional fixture, (including floor drains) $8.00" … "Swimming pools $100.00" … "Retaining wall $100.00" … "Demolition Permit $100.00" … "Per each re-inspection - after the first re-inspection $50.00+GST" … "a security deposit of $1000 or undertake the execution of an owner’s" … "of $2,000.00 for any simple building or portion thereof and $5,000.00 for any complex" … "surcharge of 100% of the building permit fee is required to be paid in"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 4725 - 2025 Update, Summary of changes, Part 31](https://www.salmonarm.ca/524/Building-Bylaw-No-4725-2025-Update)
  - Official wording: "The proposed bylaw doubles the fee to a maximum of $10,000."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to pay:** The non-refundable application fee is paid when you apply. The rest of the permit fee, and any other City fees, charges and securities owing, must be paid before the permit is issued.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 4725, s. 15.1, 15.2](https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/204)
  - Official wording: "At permit application, the owner must pay the non-refundable fee prescribed by the City Fee" … "Before receiving a building permit, in addition to the fee under s. 15.1, the owner or their agent"
  - Source: [Fee for Services Bylaw No. 2498 (PDF, consolidated August 24, 2026), Schedule B, Appendix 4, s. 1.11](https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/2040)
  - Official wording: "Before receiving a Building or Plumbing Permit for any building or structure, the owner or his/her"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Fee for Services Bylaw No. 2498, Schedule B, Appendix 4 (Building Fees); building bylaw payment rules are in Building Bylaw No. 4725, Part 15.
  - Source: [Fee for Services Bylaw No. 2498 (PDF, consolidated August 24, 2026), Schedule B, Appendix 4](https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/2040)
  - Official wording: "BUILDING FEES" … "This bylaw may be cited as “District of Salmon Arm Fee for Services Bylaw No. 2498.”"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 4725, Part 15](https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/204)
  - Official wording: "PART 15. FEES AND CHARGES"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The fee is based on the declared value of the work, under [Fee for Services Bylaw No. 2498](https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/2040), Schedule B, Appendix 4. If the declared value is below the Marshall and Swift cost estimate, the building official may use that estimate instead. The $200 application fee is paid when you apply and is credited against the permit fee at issue. The rest, and any other City fees, charges and securities owing, must be paid before the permit is issued ([Building Bylaw No. 4725](https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/204), Part 15). Payment methods are not stated.

## Good to know

- The fee is reduced 5% for permits relying on professional plan certification, and 50% for priority purpose-built rental housing. It is waived for priority affordable housing.
- Plumbing permit: $35 minimum per fixture, $8 for each additional one.
- Re-inspection after the first: $50 plus GST.
- Security deposit: $1,000 for a dwelling job over $10,000 (or an owner's agreement). Demolition deposit: $2,000 for a simple building, $5,000 for a complex one.
- Starting work without a permit after a stop-work order adds 100% of the fee, up to $10,000.
- Also listed: building relocation $500, permit extension $300, transfer to a new owner $100, partial occupancy $150, and inspection after regular hours $150 per hour plus GST.
- A design change after the first plan review costs 25% of the fee assessed under the formula.
- Development cost charges and servicing fees may also apply.

## Official forms and pages

- [Fee for Services Bylaw No. 2498 (PDF), Schedule B, Appendix 4](https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/2040)
- [Application and Guide for Building Permits (PDF)](https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/37)

## Related questions

- [Salmon Arm building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmon-arm/building-permit.md)
- [Salmon Arm permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmon-arm/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permit fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit-fees.md)

## Sources

- [Fee for Services Bylaw No. 2498 (PDF, consolidated August 24, 2026), City of Salmon Arm](https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/2040) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw No. 4725 (PDF), City of Salmon Arm](https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/204) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw No. 4725 - 2025 Update, City of Salmon Arm](https://www.salmonarm.ca/524/Building-Bylaw-No-4725-2025-Update) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Salmon Arm. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmon-arm/building-permit-fees/_