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

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

Silverton, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 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. 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.