---
title: "Spallumcheen building permits: when you need one and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a building permit in Spallumcheen, and how do I apply?"
place: Spallumcheen, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/spallumcheen
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: Township of Spallumcheen
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/building-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/building-permit.json"
---

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

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

**Short answer:** In the Township of Spallumcheen, you need a building permit for any construction, addition, alteration, change of use or demolition. Apply in person at the Township office with paper copies; electronic and incomplete applications are not accepted. Email planner@spallumcheentwp.bc.ca to book an appointment first.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Township of Spallumcheen, https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca)  
**Cost:** Application fee paid when you apply, then permit fees when the permit is issued. See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** The Township does not state a review time. An application expires six months after it is made if requested documents are not submitted.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Planning and Development Services, 250-546-3013
- Email: Planning and Development Services (book an appointment), planner@spallumcheentwp.bc.ca
- Phone: Book an inspection, 250-550-3730
- In person: Municipal Office, 4144 Spallumcheen Way, Spallumcheen, BC V4Y 0N1 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Needed for:** Any construction, addition, alteration, change of use or demolition of a building or structure. A permit is also required before installing plumbing, a new chimney or solid-fuel appliance, or moving a building or manufactured home onto a lot.
  - Source: [Building, Building page](https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/building_new.htm)
  - Official wording: "A building permit is required for any construction, addition, alteration, change of use or demolition of a building or structure."
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2009, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), s. 601.1](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34973/)
  - Official wording: "Every owner shall apply for and obtain a permit before:" … "installing plumbing systems related to the inspections undertaken pursuant to this" … "constructing a new masonry chimney, installing a new metal chimney for a solid"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Not needed for:** Accessory buildings under 10 m² that create no hazard and meet zoning. In S.H., C.R., A.2 and L.H. zones: accessory and agricultural buildings under 55 m², one storey (6 m), no plumbing, meeting zoning. Also retaining structures 1.2 m or less, fences, non-structural repairs, and decks under 0.6 m above ground (sited per zoning).
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2009, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), s. 105.2](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34973/)
  - Official wording: "accessory buildings less than 10 square metres in building area that do not" … "accessory and agricultural buildings which are less than 55 m2 in size, are no" … "Small Holdings (S.H.), Country" … "Residential (C.R.), Agricultural (A.2), and Large Holdings (L.H.)" … "retaining structures 1.2 metres in height or less;" … "e. fences;" … "non-structural repairs or alterations to a building or structure or the repair or" … "deck additions, except a deck where the difference in elevation between the deck" … "surface and the ground surface at any point is 0.6 metres or more"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** In person at the Township office with paper copies; electronic and incomplete submissions are not accepted. The owner, or an agent the owner authorizes in writing, applies. Book an appointment first by emailing planner@spallumcheentwp.bc.ca.
  - Source: [Building, Building page](https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/building_new.htm)
  - Official wording: "The complete application package must be submitted in person with paper copies." … "Electronic and incomplete submissions will not be accepted." … "book an appointment by emailing planner@spallumcheentwp.bc.ca prior to submitting your application." … "The Property Owner is responsible for obtaining a permit, although as the Owner you can authorize an Agent in writing"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **What to submit:** The Building Permit Application Package with its checklist: signed application form, application fee, site plan, two sets of construction plans, title search (within 30 days), Homeowner Protection Act documents for dwellings, access approval, evidence of potable water and sewage disposal, stormwater plan and a pre-construction Energy Advisor report.
  - Source: [Building, Building page](https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/building_new.htm)
  - Official wording: "completes and submits the Building Permit Application Package along with all required supporting documentation as shown on the Building Permit Application Checklist."
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2009, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), s. 701.3](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34973/)
  - Official wording: "supplementary contractor information in the form provided by the Township of" … "confirmation of compliance with the Homeowner Protection Act as applicable;" … "a copy of a title search made within 30 days of the date of application;" … "any required highway access permit issued by the Township of Spallumcheen or"
  - Source: [Building Permit Application Package, Application checklist (Required documents), page 2](https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/docs/bp_application_package-apr_2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Title Search (must be within 30 days prior of application) or Title Search Authorization form and fee" … "Evidence of potable water supply as outlined in Section 607 of Building Bylaw No. 2009, 2020" … "Energy Advisor Compliance Report – Pre Construction must be submitted at the time of application and completed by a Certified Energy Advisor"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Processing time:** Not confirmed. The published pages do not say how long a permit takes.
- **Inspections:** Give at least two working days' notice to book an inspection. Call 250-550-3730 to make an appointment. The inspection schedule is printed on the permit.
  - Source: [Building, Building page](https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/building_new.htm)
  - Official wording: "An inspection schedule will be provided on your Permit that outlines which inspections are required, and at what stages." … "Make sure to provide at least two working days notice to schedule an inspection. To make an appointment call 250-550-3730."
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2009, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), s. 903.1](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34973/)
  - Official wording: "The owner or representative shall give at least two clear working days' notice to the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Contact:** Planning and Development Services Department, 250-546-3013, planner@spallumcheentwp.bc.ca. Municipal Office, 4144 Spallumcheen Way, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  - Source: [Contact Us, Contact page](https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/services/contact-us.htm)
  - Official wording: "Planning and Development Services Department Phone: 250-546-3013" … "The Municipal Office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm"
  - Source: [Building, Building page](https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/building_new.htm)
  - Official wording: "A building permit is required for any construction, addition, alteration, change of use or demolition of a building or structure. Application forms may be picked up at the Township office during regular business hours or found below on our website. The Planning and Development Department is happy to assist you; book an appointment by emailing planner@spallumcheentwp.bc.ca prior to submitting your application."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Township of Spallumcheen Building Bylaw No. 2009, 2020
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2009, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), Title page](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34973/)
  - Official wording: "BUILDING BYLAW NO. 2009, 2020" … "Bylaw No. 2150, 2024"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The Township's [Building Bylaw No. 2009, 2020](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34973/) requires a permit for any construction, addition, alteration, change of use or demolition of a building or structure. A permit is also required before installing plumbing, building a new chimney or solid-fuel appliance, or moving a building or manufactured home onto a lot.

No permit is needed for:

- Accessory buildings under 10 m² that create no hazard and meet zoning.
- In the S.H., C.R., A.2 and L.H. zones, accessory and agricultural buildings under 55 m², one storey (6 m), with no plumbing, that meet zoning.
- Retaining structures 1.2 m or less, fences, non-structural repairs, and decks under 0.6 m above the ground.

These exemptions only apply if the building is sited as the Zoning Bylaw requires. The bylaw lists a few more exemptions (for example some greenhouses, bridges and docks).

## Steps

1. Email planner@spallumcheentwp.bc.ca to book an appointment before you submit.
2. Put together the Building Permit Application Package and its checklist: signed application form, application fee, site plan, two sets of construction plans, a title search made within 30 days, Homeowner Protection Act documents for dwellings, access approval, evidence of potable water and sewage disposal, a stormwater plan and a pre-construction Energy Advisor report.
3. Deliver the full paper package in person to the Municipal Office at 4144 Spallumcheen Way, and pay the application fee by cheque or debit. The owner applies, or an agent the owner authorizes in writing.
4. Township staff review it, then it goes to the Regional District of North Okanagan building inspectors for BC Building Code review.
5. When the permit is approved, the Township contacts you to come in, pay the permit fees and pick it up.
6. Your permit carries an inspection schedule. Give at least two working days' notice and call 250-550-3730 to book each inspection.

## Good to know

- Electronic and incomplete submissions are not accepted.
- A Building Official can require professional design for some work.
- The Township does not state how long a review takes. Ask Planning at 250-546-3013.

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Permit Application Package (PDF)](https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/docs/bp_application_package-apr_2026.pdf)
- [Building Bylaw No. 2009, 2020 (PDF)](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34973/)
- [Building, Township of Spallumcheen](https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/building_new.htm)

## Related questions

- [Spallumcheen building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Spallumcheen permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Spallumcheen zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Spallumcheen secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/secondary-suite.md)
- [Spallumcheen fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/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)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/building-permit.md)
- [Enderby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/building-permit.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/building-permit.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/building-permit.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/building-permit.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/building-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building, Township of Spallumcheen](https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/building_new.htm) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building Bylaw No. 2009, 2020 (PDF, consolidated)](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34973/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building Permit Application Package (PDF)](https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/docs/bp_application_package-apr_2026.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Contact Us, Township of Spallumcheen](https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/services/contact-us.htm) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 Township of Spallumcheen. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/building-permit/_