---
title: "Slocan building permits: when you need one and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a building permit in Slocan, and how do I apply?"
place: Slocan, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/slocan
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: shared
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/building-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/building-permit.json"
---

# Slocan building permits: when you need one and how to apply

**Question:** Do I need a building permit in Slocan, and how do I apply?

**Short answer:** In Slocan you need a building permit to build a new home or accessory building, renovate structurally, add a secondary suite, install a pool or move or demolish a building. The Village accepts and approves applications under the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Building Service. Call the Village Office, 250-355-2277.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** Based on the value of the work, plus a plan-check deposit with the application. See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** The Village's page and the building bylaw do not state a processing time. Ask the Village Office.  
**Where:**
- In person: Village Office, 503 Slocan Street, PO Box 50, Slocan, BC V0G 2C0 (Monday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (confirm by phone). Book building inspector appointments here.)
- Phone: Village Office, 250-355-2277
- Phone: RDCK Building Department, 250-352-8155

## Key facts

- **Needed for:** New home, new accessory building (carport, garage, storage shed), farm building (ask the Building Official about exemptions), renovations or structural work, enclosing a porch, retaining wall over 5 feet, pool, moving or demolishing a building, change of use, secondary suite, manufactured home.
  - Source: [Building Permits, Building Permits page, Permit Requirements](https://www.slocancity.com/building-permits/)
  - Official wording: "Construct a new accessory building such as a carport, garage or storage shed" … "Renovate your dwelling to create a secondary suite" … "Construct a retaining wall retaining more than 5 feet of soil" … "Install a pool" … "Construct a farm building (consult with the Building Official regarding exemptions)"
  - Source: [RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (PDF, consolidated for convenience), s. 8.1.1](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Building-Consol-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "building permit before installing, constructing or altering a building or structure"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Not needed for:** Non-structural work: painting, landscaping, sidewalks, driveways, new roofing surface, new kitchen cupboards, fences, a wood stove or chimney in an existing building. An unroofed deck no more than 600 mm (2 ft) above grade is outside the Building Bylaw.
  - Source: [Building Permits, Building Permits page](https://www.slocancity.com/building-permits/)
  - Official wording: "A BUILDING PERMIT IS NOT REQUIRED" … "Fences (fence height must comply with the Village of Slocan’s Zoning Bylaw where applicable)" … "Install new roofing (surface materials only)"
  - Source: [RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (PDF, consolidated for convenience), s. 5.2.3](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Building-Consol-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "decks without roofs having a difference in elevation to grade not exceeding 600 millimeters (2ft)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How to apply:** The Village accepts and approves applications under the RDCK Building Service, using the Building Permit Application form. Book an appointment with the building inspector through the Village Office, 250-355-2277.
  - Source: [Building Permits, Building Permits page](https://www.slocancity.com/building-permits/)
  - Official wording: "The Village of Slocan accepts and approves building permit applications under the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Building Service." … "To book an appointment with the building inspector, please call the Village Office at 250-355-2277."
  - Source: [RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (PDF, consolidated for convenience), s. 8.2](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Building-Consol-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "An application for a permit shall be in through the Building Permit Application form."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **What to submit:** A Building Permit Application signed by the owner, with the owner's acknowledgment form, a title search made within 30 days, a site plan, and floor plans, sections and elevations. Plans must show the designer's name and address. Use the RDCK checklist for your project type.
  - Source: [Building Permits, Building Permits page](https://www.slocancity.com/building-permits/)
  - Official wording: "The application must be complete" … "The owner and the representative must sign the Owner’s Representative Form application."
  - Source: [RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (PDF, consolidated for convenience), s. 8.3](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Building-Consol-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "All plans submitted with permit applications must bear the name and address of the designer of the building or structure." … "All plans submitted with permit applications must bear the name and address of the" … "include a copy of a title search, accompanied by referenced covenants, made" … "elevations of all sides of the building or structure showing finish"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Processing time:** Not confirmed. The published pages do not say how long a permit takes.
- **Inspections:** Give at least 72 hours notice to the Regional District or Village when requesting an inspection. Slocan building inspector hours: Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. Book through the Village Office, 250-355-2277; outside the Slocan boundary call RDCK Building, 250-352-8155.
  - Source: [RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (PDF, consolidated for convenience), s. 18.4](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Building-Consol-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The owner or his or her representative shall give at least 72 hours notice to the Regional District or Village when requesting an inspection"
  - Source: [Building Permits, Building Permits page](https://www.slocancity.com/building-permits/)
  - Official wording: "Slocan hours: Thursdays, 1:00pm." … "please call the RDCK Building Department at 250-352-8155."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Contact:** Village Office, 250-355-2277 (building inspector appointments); RDCK Building Department, 250-352-8155.
  - Source: [Building Permits, Building Permits page](https://www.slocancity.com/building-permits/)
  - Official wording: "To book an appointment with the building inspector, please call the Village Office at 250-355-2277." … "please call the RDCK Building Department at 250-352-8155."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Regional District of Central Kootenay Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (the Village's Bylaws page lists it as '#2200 – BUILDING BYLAW, 2010' and links to the RDCK copy).
  - Source: [Bylaws, Bylaws page](https://www.slocancity.com/bylaws/)
  - Official wording: "#2200 – BUILDING BYLAW, 2010"
  - Source: [RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (PDF, consolidated for convenience), title](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Building-Consol-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

In the Village of Slocan, building permits are accepted and approved by the Village under the RDCK Building Service. The rules come from the RDCK [Building Bylaw No. 2200](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Building-Consol-1.pdf), which requires a permit before you install, construct or alter a building or structure.

A permit is needed for a new home, a new accessory building (carport, garage, storage shed), renovations or structural work, enclosing a porch, a retaining wall over 5 feet, a pool, moving or demolishing a building, a change of use, a secondary suite and a manufactured home. For a farm building, ask the Building Official about exemptions.

No permit is listed for non-structural work: painting, landscaping, sidewalks, driveways, a new roofing surface, new kitchen cupboards, fences, or a wood stove or chimney in an existing building.

## Steps

1. Pick the RDCK checklist for your project type on the Village's Building Permits page.
2. Fill in the Building Permit Application and have the owner sign it, with the owner's acknowledgment form.
3. Add a title search made within 30 days, a site plan, and floor plans, sections and elevations showing the designer's name and address.
4. Hand in the application at the Village Office and pay the plan-check deposit.
5. Pay the permit fee in full before the permit is issued.
6. Give at least 72 hours' notice when you want an inspection. Book through the Village Office.

## Good to know

- The Slocan building inspector's listed hours are Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. Confirm, as these may have changed.
- Outside the Village boundary, call RDCK Building at 250-352-8155.
- No online portal is mentioned on the Village's page.

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Permits, Village of Slocan](https://www.slocancity.com/building-permits/)
- [Building Permit Application (RDCK, PDF)](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-04-23_RDCK_FILLABLE_BPA.pdf)
- [RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200 (PDF)](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Building-Consol-1.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Slocan building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Slocan permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Slocan secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/secondary-suite.md)
- [Slocan zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Slocan fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/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)
- [Silverton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/building-permit.md)
- [New Denver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-denver/building-permit.md)
- [Nelson](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/building-permit.md)
- [Kaslo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kaslo/building-permit.md)
- [Castlegar](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/building-permit.md)
- [Nakusp](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nakusp/building-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Permits, Village of Slocan](https://www.slocancity.com/building-permits/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [RDCK Building Bylaw No. 2200, 2010 (PDF, consolidated for convenience)](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Building-Consol-1.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaws, Village of Slocan](https://www.slocancity.com/bylaws/) (read 2026-11-08)

_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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with any government. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/building-permit/_