{"title":"Silverton building permits: when you need one and how to apply","question":"Do I need a building permit in Silverton, and how do I apply?","slug":"building-permit","place":{"path":"ca/bc/silverton","name":"Silverton","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"regional","owner_label":"Regional district","owner_body":{"name":"Regional District of Central Kootenay","url":"https://www.rdck.ca"},"short_answer":"In Silverton, building permits are issued by the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK), not the Village. You need one for a new home or accessory building, an addition, structural work, a deck more than 2 feet above grade, a secondary suite, or to demolish or move a building.","aliases":["building permit silverton","do i need a permit silverton bc","rdck building permit silverton","apply for building permit silverton"],"cost":"Set by the RDCK. A plan-check deposit is paid with the application. See the building-permit-fees answer.","how_long":"The RDCK says about 6 to 8 weeks for a completed application.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"RDCK Building Department, Nakusp office (includes Silverton)","value":"250-265-4111","note":"Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., excluding statutory holidays."},{"type":"email","label":"RDCK Building Department, Nakusp office","value":"nakuspbuilding@rdck.bc.ca"},{"type":"email","label":"Send a PDF application","value":"buildingdepartment@rdck.bc.ca"},{"type":"email","label":"Book an inspection","value":"inspections@rdck.bc.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Building Department, RDCK","url":"https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/"},{"title":"Permit Application, RDCK","url":"https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/permit-application/"},{"title":"Building Permit brochure (PDF), RDCK","url":"https://rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-03-15-Building_Brochure_03-24.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Silverton building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Silverton permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"slug":"secondary-suite","title":"Silverton secondary suite and carriage house rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/secondary-suite/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Silverton zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"fence-rules","title":"Silverton fence rules: permits and height limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/fence-rules/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/new-denver","name":"New Denver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-denver/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/slocan","name":"Slocan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kaslo","name":"Kaslo","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kaslo/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/nakusp","name":"Nakusp","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nakusp/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/nelson","name":"Nelson","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/castlegar","name":"Castlegar","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/building-permit/"}],"topic":{"title":"Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit/"},"facts":{"needed_for":{"label":"Needed for","value":"The RDCK says a building permit is needed to construct a new home or new accessory building (carport, garage, storage shed), an addition, structural work, a deck more than 2 feet above grade, a secondary suite, a retaining wall over 5 feet, or to demolish or move a building.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-03-15-Building_Brochure_03-24.pdf","title":"Building Permit brochure (PDF, March 2024), Regional District of Central Kootenay","section":"When is a building permit required","quotes":["Construct a new home","Construct a new accessory building such as a carport,","Decks having a difference","Renovate your dwelling to create a secondary suite","Demolish a building or structure"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"not_needed_for":{"label":"Not needed for","value":"RDCK Building Bylaw 2200 s. 5.2 does not apply to retaining structures under 1.5 m (5 ft), unroofed decks not more than 600 mm (2 ft) above grade, and plumbing valve or faucet repairs. The brochure adds painting, landscaping, roofing, kitchen cupboards and fences.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-03-15-Building_Brochure_03-24.pdf","title":"Building Permit brochure (PDF, March 2024), Regional District of Central Kootenay","section":"When is a building permit required","quotes":["Landscaping, sidewalks and driveways","Install new roofing","Replace kitchen cupboards","Fences (fence height must comply with Regional"]},{"url":"https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bylaw-No.-2383-2014.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (PDF), Regional District of Central Kootenay","section":"Bylaw 2200 s. 5.2","quotes":["retaining structures less than L5 meters (5 ft.) in height","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":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Apply online or at an RDCK Building Department office, or email a PDF application to buildingdepartment@rdck.bc.ca. Silverton is served by the RDCK Nakusp office.","short":"Online or at RDCK office; or email PDF","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/permit-application/","title":"Permit Application, Regional District of Central Kootenay","section":"Permit Application","quotes":["Applications for Building Permits are available online or at the respective offices.","Permit applications can be submitted in PDF form to buildingdepartment@rdck.bc.ca."]},{"url":"https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/","title":"Building Department, Regional District of Central Kootenay","section":"Contact Information","quotes":["nakuspbuilding@rdck.bc.ca includes Village of Nakusp and Silverton"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"what_to_submit":{"label":"What to submit","value":"Two sets of building plans (floor, elevation, cross section), a site plan, a title search dated within 30 days, and for a new dwelling a BC Housing New Home Registration. Other items may be required.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-03-15-Building_Brochure_03-24.pdf","title":"Building Permit brochure (PDF, March 2024), Regional District of Central Kootenay","section":"Info to be submitted","quotes":["Two sets of detailed building plans.","SITE PLAN","A current copy of your Title Search is required","New Home Registra"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"processing_time":{"label":"Processing time","value":"About 6 to 8 weeks for a completed application.","short":"6 to 8 weeks","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/","title":"Building Department, Regional District of Central Kootenay","section":"Building Department","quotes":["Turnaround time for completed applications is currently approximately 6 to 8 weeks."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"inspections":{"label":"Inspections","value":"Three business days' notice is needed. Book by email to inspections@rdck.bc.ca (permit number, site address, owner, inspection type) or by phone at the Nakusp office, 250.265.4111, which includes Silverton.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/inspections/","title":"Inspections, Regional District of Central Kootenay","section":"Inspections","quotes":["Three business days notice is required when booking an inspection.","inspections@rdck.bc.ca","Includes Village of Nakusp and Silverton"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"contact":{"label":"Contact","value":"RDCK Building Department, Nakusp office (includes Silverton): 250.265.4111, nakuspbuilding@rdck.bc.ca, Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. excluding statutory holidays.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/","title":"Building Department, Regional District of Central Kootenay","section":"Contact Information","quotes":["250.265.4111","nakuspbuilding@rdck.bc.ca includes Village of Nakusp and Silverton","Office Hours – Monday-Friday 9:00 am – 12:30pm excluding statutory holidays"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Regional District of Central Kootenay Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/","title":"Building Department, Regional District of Central Kootenay","section":"Related Links","quotes":["Building Bylaw 2200, 2010"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":8,"stated":8,"matched":8,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nSilverton does not run its own building inspection. The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) issues the permits and inspects the work under its [Building Bylaw No. 2200](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bylaw-No.-2383-2014.pdf). The RDCK's Nakusp office serves Silverton.\n\nThe RDCK says you need a permit to build a new home or new accessory building (carport, garage, storage shed), build an addition, do structural work, build a deck more than 2 feet above grade, create a secondary suite, build a retaining wall over 5 feet, or demolish or move a building.\n\nThe bylaw does not apply to retaining structures under 1.5 m (5 ft), unroofed decks not more than 600 mm (2 ft) above grade, or repairing a valve or faucet with no piping change. The brochure also lists painting, landscaping, roofing, kitchen cupboards and fences as not needing a permit.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Call or email the Nakusp office to check what your project needs.\n2. Get the application online or at an RDCK Building Department office. You can email a PDF to buildingdepartment@rdck.bc.ca.\n3. Submit two sets of building plans (floor, elevation, cross section), a site plan and a title search dated within 30 days. A new dwelling also needs a BC Housing New Home Registration. Other items may be required.\n4. Pay the plan-check deposit with the application.\n5. Book each inspection with at least three business days' notice, by email to inspections@rdck.bc.ca (permit number, site address, owner, inspection type) or by calling 250-265-4111.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Check Silverton's zoning and wildfire development permit rules too; see the zoning-lookup and deck-shed-garage-permit answers.\n- The RDCK also posts checklists by project type.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/","title":"Building Department, Regional District of Central Kootenay","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/permit-application/","title":"Permit Application, Regional District of Central Kootenay","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/inspections/","title":"Inspections, Regional District of Central Kootenay","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-03-15-Building_Brochure_03-24.pdf","title":"Building Permit brochure (PDF, March 2024), Regional District of Central Kootenay","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bylaw-No.-2383-2014.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (PDF), Regional District of Central Kootenay","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 8 of 8 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/building-permit/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/building-permit.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/building-permit.json"}}