--- 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?" place: Silverton, British Columbia, Canada place_path: ca/bc/silverton category: Building, renovating and your property owner: regional owner_body: Regional District of Central Kootenay sources_read: 2026-11-08 review: machine_checked canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/building-permit/" json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/building-permit.json" --- # 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? **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. **Who handles it:** Regional district (Regional District of Central Kootenay, https://www.rdck.ca) **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:** - Phone: RDCK Building Department, Nakusp office (includes Silverton), 250-265-4111 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., excluding statutory holidays.) - Email: RDCK Building Department, Nakusp office, nakuspbuilding@rdck.bc.ca - Email: Send a PDF application, buildingdepartment@rdck.bc.ca - Email: Book an inspection, inspections@rdck.bc.ca ## Key facts - **Needed for:** 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. - Source: [Building Permit brochure (PDF, March 2024), Regional District of Central Kootenay, When is a building permit required](https://rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-03-15-Building_Brochure_03-24.pdf) - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 - **Not needed for:** 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. - Source: [Building Permit brochure (PDF, March 2024), Regional District of Central Kootenay, When is a building permit required](https://rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-03-15-Building_Brochure_03-24.pdf) - Official wording: "Landscaping, sidewalks and driveways" … "Install new roofing" … "Replace kitchen cupboards" … "Fences (fence height must comply with Regional" - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010, Regional District of Central Kootenay, Bylaw 2200 s. 5.2](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bylaw-No.-2383-2014.pdf) - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 - **How to apply:** 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. - Source: [Permit Application, Regional District of Central Kootenay](https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/permit-application/) - Official wording: "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." - Source: [Building Department, Regional District of Central Kootenay, Contact Information](https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/) - Official wording: "nakuspbuilding@rdck.bc.ca includes Village of Nakusp and Silverton" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 - **What to submit:** 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. - Source: [Building Permit brochure (PDF, March 2024), Regional District of Central Kootenay, Info to be submitted](https://rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-03-15-Building_Brochure_03-24.pdf) - Official wording: "Two sets of detailed building plans." … "SITE PLAN" … "A current copy of your Title Search is required" … "New Home Registra" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 - **Processing time:** About 6 to 8 weeks for a completed application. - Source: [Building Department, Regional District of Central Kootenay](https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/) - Official wording: "Turnaround time for completed applications is currently approximately 6 to 8 weeks." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 - **Inspections:** 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. - Source: [Inspections, Regional District of Central Kootenay](https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/inspections/) - Official wording: "Three business days notice is required when booking an inspection." … "inspections@rdck.bc.ca" … "Includes Village of Nakusp and Silverton" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 - **Contact:** 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. - Source: [Building Department, Regional District of Central Kootenay, Contact Information](https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/) - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 - **Bylaw:** Regional District of Central Kootenay Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 - Source: [Building Department, Regional District of Central Kootenay, Related Links](https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/) - Official wording: "Building Bylaw 2200, 2010" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 ## How it works Silverton 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. The 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. The 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. ## Steps 1. Call or email the Nakusp office to check what your project needs. 2. Get the application online or at an RDCK Building Department office. You can email a PDF to buildingdepartment@rdck.bc.ca. 3. 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. 4. Pay the plan-check deposit with the application. 5. 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. ## Good to know - Check Silverton's zoning and wildfire development permit rules too; see the zoning-lookup and deck-shed-garage-permit answers. - The RDCK also posts checklists by project type. ## Official forms and pages - [Building Department, RDCK](https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/) - [Permit Application, RDCK](https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/permit-application/) - [Building Permit brochure (PDF), RDCK](https://rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-03-15-Building_Brochure_03-24.pdf) ## Related questions - [Silverton building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/building-permit-fees.md) - [Silverton permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/deck-shed-garage-permit.md) - [Silverton secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/secondary-suite.md) - [Silverton zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/zoning-lookup.md) - [Silverton fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/fence-rules.md) ## The same question elsewhere - [Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit.md) - [New Denver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-denver/building-permit.md) - [Slocan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/building-permit.md) - [Kaslo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kaslo/building-permit.md) - [Nakusp](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nakusp/building-permit.md) - [Nelson](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/building-permit.md) - [Castlegar](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/building-permit.md) ## Sources - [Building Department, Regional District of Central Kootenay](https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/) (read 2026-11-08) - [Permit Application, Regional District of Central Kootenay](https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/permit-application/) (read 2026-11-08) - [Inspections, Regional District of Central Kootenay](https://www.rdck.ca/development-community-sustainability-services/building/inspections/) (read 2026-11-08) - [Building Permit brochure (PDF, March 2024), Regional District of Central Kootenay](https://rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-03-15-Building_Brochure_03-24.pdf) (read 2026-11-08) - [Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (PDF), Regional District of Central Kootenay](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bylaw-No.-2383-2014.pdf) (read 2026-11-08) _Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 8 of 8 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Regional District of Central Kootenay. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/building-permit/_