Valemount building permits: when you need one and how to apply
Do I need a building permit in Valemount, and how do I apply?
Short answer
In Valemount you need a Village building permit for most regulated work: new buildings, accessory buildings over 10 m², additions, alterations, basement finishing, plumbing, chimneys and solid fuel appliances. Fill in the Building Permit Application (Form B) and email it to the Building Inspector.
Key facts
| Needed for | Any regulated work: new buildings, accessory buildings over 10 m², alterations, additions and repairs, finishing a basement, placing a manufactured home, plumbing, chimneys, fireplaces and solid fuel appliances, enclosing a carport, change of use, retaining walls over 1.2 m, and decks (except detached decks under 600 mm with no roof).Building Bylaw No. 892, 2024, s. 5.1, 11.1, definitions; Building Services, When is a Building Permit Required · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingA permit is required if work regulated under this bylaw is to be undertaken. No person may construct, or structurally repair, a retaining wall without a building permit. retaining wall means a structure exceeding 1.2 metres in height detached decks that are less than 600mm above Construct a new accessory building over 10 m2 Remodel or construct a deck Install a wood stove, fireplace insert or solid fuel burning appliance |
|---|---|
| Not needed for | The Building Bylaw does not apply to: fences (retaining walls are covered); accessory buildings under 10 m²; trellises, arbours and soil walls up to 1.2 m on single-family parcels; detached decks under 600 mm above ground with no roof; polyethylene greenhouses on single-family parcels; like-for-like roofing, window and door replacement; replacing plumbing fixtures without affecting venting.Sources differ: The Village Building Services page says a deck needs a permit ("Remodel or construct a deck") and that a detached accessory building under 10 m² is exempt; the bylaw exempts only detached decks under 600 mm with no roof. The bylaw is used. Where no permit is needed the owner must still comply with all other bylaws and the building code (s. 3.3 closing paragraph).Building Bylaw No. 892, 2024, s. 3.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingan accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres; detached decks that are less than 600mm above and do not have a roof structure a wall supporting soil that is 1.2 metres or less in height |
| How to apply | Fill in the Building Permit Application form (Form B) from the Village website, save it and email it to the Building Inspector, building@valemount.ca. Confirm with the Planning Department that the plans match the zoning and whether a Development Permit is needed.Application Forms and Process, Building Permit Application · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingSave to your computer before emailing back to Building Inspector. Applicants must confirm with the Planning Department as to whether or not the property is in a Development Permit Area, in which case a Development Permit will be required. |
| What to submit | A site plan; two sets of building plans (foundation, floor and elevation plans and cross sections); two sets of engineer-stamped truss details (stamped copies are needed before the framing inspection); the Record of Sewerage System if there is no municipal sewer; the $100 application fee.Application Forms and Process · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingA site plan is required to show the location of the new building, driveway and/or access road, property lines, accessory building and measurements from the new building to the property lines. Two sets of building plans, in metric or imperial measure, that shall include: stamped details must be provided to our office prior to calling for a framing inspection. a copy of the Record of Sewerage System filed with the Northern Health Authority is required. |
| Processing time | Not confirmed. The published pages do not say how long a permit takes. |
| Inspections | For simple buildings, give the Village at least 48 hours' notice to request an inspection, and get the building official's written acceptance before concealing the work. The Village lists a typical sequence from footings through final. Contact Building Inspection Services to book.Building Bylaw No. 892, 2024, s. 10.30; Order of Inspections; Application Forms and Process, Manufactured Homes · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingFor all work in respect of simple buildings the owner must give at least 48 hours’ notice to the Village when requesting an inspection For all work in respect of simple buildings the owner must give at least 48 must obtain an inspection and receive a Inspections must be completed at varying stages during the project. When ready for a final inspection, please contact Building Inspection Services. |
| Contact | Building Inspector Dean Schneider: building@valemount.ca; Village Office 250.566.4435 (also a cell number, 250.566.1551, on the Building Services page).Building Services, Questions; Application Forms and Process, Questions? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingDean Schneider, Building Inspector 250.566.1551 (cell) building@valemount.ca Dean Schneider, Building Inspector 250.566.4435 building@valemount.ca |
| Bylaw | Village of Valemount Building Bylaw No. 892, 2024Building Bylaw No. 892, 2024, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBUILDING BYLAW NO. 892, 2024 |
How it works
The Village of Valemount's Building Inspector reviews your plans against the BC Building Code and the Village's Building Bylaw No. 892. A permit is required whenever work regulated by the bylaw is done. That includes new buildings, accessory buildings over 10 m², alterations, additions and repairs, finishing a basement, placing a manufactured home, plumbing, chimneys, fireplaces and solid fuel appliances, enclosing a carport, a change of use and retaining walls over 1.2 m. Decks need a permit unless the deck is detached, under 600 mm above the ground and has no roof.
The bylaw does not apply to fences, accessory buildings under 10 m², trellises, arbours and soil walls up to 1.2 m on single-family parcels, polyethylene greenhouses on single-family parcels, like-for-like roof, window and door replacement, or replacing plumbing fixtures without affecting venting. You must still follow all other bylaws and the building code.
Steps
- Ask the Planning Department (planner@valemount.ca) whether your plans match the zoning and whether a Development Permit is needed.
- Fill in Form B, save it and email it with your drawings to building@valemount.ca. The Village describes no online portal.
- Pay the application fee when you apply.
- Pay the permit fee and any security deposit when the permit is issued.
- Request inspections as work proceeds. The Village lists a typical sequence from footings through final.
Good to know
- For simple buildings, give the Village at least 48 hours' notice to request an inspection, and get the building official's written acceptance before concealing the work.
- Engineering or letters of assurance may be required. Confirm with the Building Inspector.
- The Village's Building Services page lists any deck as needing a permit and does not give the height exemption, while the bylaw does. Confirm with the Building Inspector.
- A Development Permit may also be needed if the property is in a Development Permit Area.
What you'll need
- Building Permit Application form (Form B)
- Site plan showing the building, driveway, property lines and distances to the lines
- Two sets of building plans (foundation, floor and elevation plans and cross sections)
- Two sets of engineer-stamped truss details (needed before the framing inspection)
- Record of Sewerage System, if there is no municipal sewer
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
McBride · Clearwater · 100 Mile House · Barriere · Williams Lake · Quesnel
Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Bylaw No. 892, 2024 (PDF), Village of Valemount (read 2026-11-08)
- Building Services, Village of Valemount (read 2026-11-08)
- Application Forms and Process, Village of Valemount (read 2026-11-08)
- Order of Inspections, Village of Valemount (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. How answers are checked.