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

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

Smithers, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Smithers you need a Town building permit to build a structure over 10 m², alter or add to a building, install a wood stove or HVAC unit, build a retaining wall over 1.2 m, or demolish or move a building. Most permits are issued within 20 working days. Call Development Services at 250-847-1600.

Key facts

Needed for	A permit is needed to build a structure over 10 m² (107 sq. ft.); alter, renovate or add to a building (including interior plumbing); excavate or build a foundation; install an HVAC unit or wood stove; change a building's use or occupancy; build a retaining wall over 1.2 m high; or demolish or move a building.Sources differ: The Town page says a retaining wall that 'retains more than 1.5 metres of fill' needs a permit; Building Bylaw s. 7.1 and s. 11.1 say a retaining wall more than 1.2 m (height) needs a permit, so the bylaw figure is used. The page says 'larger than 10 square metres'; s. 3.3(b) exempts accessory buildings 'less than 10 square metres', so exactly 10 m² is not addressed. Building Bylaw s. 7.1 also requires a permit before occupying a new building or installing a masonry fireplace or wood-burning appliance. A Development Permit may be needed first if the property is in a development permit area (s. 10.1(a)).Building Permits, Building Permits page; Building Bylaw No. 1924, s. 7.1, s. 11.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Build any kind of structure larger than 10 square metres (107 sq. ft.). Alter, renovate, or adding onto existing buildings/structures, including interior plumbing. Install a heating, ventilation, air conditioning unit or wood stove. Demolish or move a building. constructing, repamnq, or altering a building or structure, including a pool or No person may construct, or structurally repair, a retaining wall more than 1.2m in
Not needed for	The Building Bylaw does not apply to fences (but see retaining walls), accessory buildings under 10 m², trellises, arbours and soil walls under 1.2 m on single-family lots, decks under 600 mm above grade that are detached with no walls or roof, polyethylene greenhouses, roofing, and door or window replacement with no structural change.Building Bylaw No. 1924, s. 3.3; Building Permits, Building Permits page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording except as set out in Part 11 [Retaining Walls] of this bylaw, a fence; an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres: Decks that are less than 600mm above average grade and not attached to the Polyethylene covered greenhouses; The replacement of doors and windows as long as there is no change to the Building permits are not required for non-structural minor modifications such as:
How to apply	Fill out the Building Permit application (a downloadable form on the Town's Building Permits page, or a hard copy from the Town Office, 1027 Aldous Street) and pay the application fee. Bring or submit it with the required plans and documents.Building Permits, Building Permits page; Contact Us, Town Hall address · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Building Permit application (hard copies available at the Town Office) and application fee. Downloadable Permit Application # Contact Us \| ## Town Hall 1027 Aldous Street PO Box 879 Smithers, BC V0J 2N0 Phone: 250-847-1600
What to submit	Application and fee; site plan (2 copies); Site Disclosure Statement; Notice to All Builders and Developers - Building Setbacks; building plans (2 copies) with elevations, floor plans and cross sections; layouts and certificates for engineered components. Plans sealed by a Registered Architect are needed for buildings covered by Bulletin 31.Building Permits, Building Permits page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Site Plan (2 copies) which identifies the lot shape, size, driveway location, existing buildings, setbacks and project location. Building plans (2 copies) illustrating elevation and floor plans and cross sections. Copies of layout and certificates for engineered components, such as trusses, joints, beams, etc. the Town of Smithers will now be requiring plans designed and sealed by a Registered Architect for any of the buildings outlined in Bulletin 31 from the Architects Act.
Processing time	Most permits can be issued within 20 working days, depending on project complexity, completeness of the documents and the number of current applications.Building Permits, Building Permits page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Most permits can be issued within 20 working days depending on the complexity of the project,
Inspections	Request an inspection at each stage of work, before it is covered up, giving at least 48 hours' notice for simple buildings. The Town's page says to book by calling the Development Services Clerk at 250-847-1600; the bylaw says the Town only inspects when asked online or in writing.Sources differ: Possible conflict: the page says to phone, while s. 10.35 of the bylaw says an inspection is only carried out if requested 'online or in writing'. The page also asks owners to post the permit in a visible location and keep approved plans on site. Complex buildings: 48 hours' notice also applies for pre-construction meetings (s. 10.38).Building Permits, Building Permits page; Building Bylaw No. 1924, s. 10.34, s. 10.35 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording To schedule an appointment call the Development Services Clerk at (250) 847-1600. For all work in respect of simple buildings the owner must give at least 48 hours' will only carry out an inspection under section 10.34 if the owner
Contact	Town of Smithers Development Services Department, 1027 Aldous Street; phone 250-847-1600; fax 250-847-1601; office hours Monday to Friday (except holidays), 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Application, Permit and Licence Fees guide, Contact block, p. 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Town of Smithers Development Services Department Telephone: (250) 847-1600 Fax: (250) 847-1601 Monday to Friday (except Holidays) 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Bylaw	Building Bylaw No. 1924Building Bylaw No. 1924, Title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording BYLAW No. 1924 Building Bylaw

How it works

The Town's Development Services Department checks your plans against the BC Building Code and the Town's Building Bylaw No. 1924, then issues a permit and inspects the work.

A permit is needed to:

Build a structure larger than 10 m² (107 sq. ft.).
Alter, renovate or add to a building, including interior plumbing.
Excavate or build a foundation.
Install an HVAC unit or a wood stove.
Change a building's use or occupancy.
Build a retaining wall over 1.2 m high.
Demolish or move a building.

Not covered by the bylaw: fences (zoning rules still apply), accessory buildings under 10 m², trellises, arbours, and soil walls under 1.2 m on single-family lots, detached decks under 600 mm above grade with no walls or roof, polyethylene greenhouses, roofing, and door or window replacement with no structural change. Painting, carpet and landscaping on private property also need no permit.

Steps

Check your zoning first (see the zoning-lookup answer). A development permit may be needed first if you are in a development permit area.
Fill out the Building Permit application (download it from the Town's page, or get a hard copy at Town Hall) and pay the application fee.
Submit it with: a site plan (2 copies), a Site Disclosure Statement, the Notice to All Builders and Developers on building setbacks, building plans (2 copies) with elevations, floor plans and cross sections, and layouts and certificates for engineered parts such as trusses and beams. The Town may require a security deposit.
Pay the permit fee before the permit is issued.
Book an inspection at each stage, before the work is covered up, giving at least 48 hours' notice for simple buildings. The Town's page says to call the Development Services Clerk at 250-847-1600.

Good to know

The Town now requires plans sealed by a Registered Architect for buildings covered by Bulletin 31 under the Architects Act.
The Town's page says a retaining wall needs a permit if it retains more than 1.5 m of fill. The bylaw says any retaining wall over 1.2 m high. Confirm with the Town, and plan for the lower figure.
The page says to book inspections by phone; the bylaw says the Town inspects only when asked online or in writing. Phone first.
The pages we read do not describe an online portal or an email address for applications. Call 250-847-1600 to confirm how to submit.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Telkwa · Houston · Hazelton · Granisle · Terrace · Burns Lake

Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →

Sources

Building Permits, Town of Smithers (read 2026-11-06)
Building Bylaw No. 1924, Town of Smithers (read 2026-11-06)
Application, Permit and Licence Fees guide (PDF), Town of Smithers (read 2026-11-06)
Contact Us, Town of Smithers (read 2026-11-06)

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