Building Permits and Inspections

Permits must be obtained for most projects on private properties in the City of West Kelowna. Permits are required under the Building Regulations Bylaw and ensure that zoning regulations, fire and structural safety standards, and the requirements of the BC Building Code are met.

Property owners, or their authorized contractor/agent, are responsible for obtaining the required building permits and ensuring they are in place before works begin. 

Failure to obtain the necessary permits may result in delays, removal of works already completed, and/or legal action.

  • The Building Permit Application Fee is due at the time of application and is non-refundable.
  • This fee is calculated from the actual construction value, with a minimum $150 application fee. 
  • The Building Permit Fee is due at the time of permit issuance and is calculated at 1.14 per cent of actual construction value with the minimum permit fee being $100.00
  • For further calculations and breakdowns, see our Fees and Charges Bylaw - Schedule 2 for more information.
  • Accepted payment methods are debit, cash, or cheque. We are unable to accept credit cards. 

Bulletins
Resources
Information
  • Any residence or business that owns or operates an alarm system must have a valid alarm permit. Find details on the Regional District of Central Okanagan alarm permit webpage.
  • Location surveys must be submitted and approved before proceeding beyond the foundation stage. For full details see the Submission of BCLS Site Survey Bulletin.
  • Changes to an issued Building Permit can be requested by submitting an Amendment Form to the Building Department for review; additional fees may apply.
  • For changes to a Builder, Owner or Applicant on an approved building permit, please submit a completed Permit Transfer Form to the Building Department for review.

Property Owners and Contractors
Real Estate Agents
  • Submit requests for Property File (documents or plans) to building@westkelownacity.ca.
  • A signed listing contract, an accepted offer to purchase, or an Owner's Authorization Form is required for the information to be released.
  • Processing time for these requests is approximately seven to 10 business days. 

Application Process

  • Building Permit Applications must be submitted in person at City Hall.
  • Each permit type has a required documents checklist to help applicants through the process.
  • Once submitted, a city plan checker will review the completed application package.
  • Once the review is completed and approved, the permit will be issued.

Target Permitting Timelines

Permit Type Processing Timeline
Residential Fast Track (decks, pools, retaining walls, etc.) 10 days
Residential single-family dwelling/duplex 15 days
Residential multifamily 1 month
Commercial Fast Track (small tenant improvements, renovations) 15 days
Commercial/Industrial new projects 1 month

Additional factors related to Building Permit timelines:  

  • + DP timelines. Building permits can be submitted concurrently with development permits where applicable. When both are submitted together, DP approvals are initiated first and may impact overall timelines for any of the permit types listed above.
  • + Referral timeline. Project size and scope may dictate required project referrals which can impact overall timelines.

Residential Building Permits

New Construction

This application applies to all new Single-Family Dwellings, Duplexes and Town Homes.

Required documents:

Where applicable, Development Cost Charges (DCCs) must be paid when the building permit is issued. Find information in the Development Cost Charge Bylaw. Contact the Building Department for any questions regarding the fee schedule.

Resources:

Alterations and Improvements

This application applies to alterations and improvements, including the decommissioning of non-permitted secondary suites.

Required documents:

Carriage House

Information regarding Carriage Houses can be found in the Carriage House Bulletin and by visiting Section 3.19 Carriage Houses in the Zoning Bylaw.

Required documents:

Retaining Walls

A building permit is required for retaining walls that are 1.2 meters or higher.

Required documents:

Secondary Suite

Find information regarding Secondary Suites in the Secondary Suite Bulletin and the Secondary Suite Constructions Requirements document.

Required documents:

Solar Panel

Please be advised that Building Permits are no longer required for Solar Panel Projects within the City of West Kelowna

Note that the following exceptions and requirements may apply:

  • Structural Upgrades: If your solar installation involves structural modifications that require a Structural Engineer, a building permit from the City of West Kelowna is still required 
  • Electrical Work: An electrical permit from Technical Safety BC is still mandatory for all solar installations.

Solid Fuel Burning Appliances

Required documents:

  • Building Permit Application
  • Documents as required on the Application Checklist - (Digital format preferred)
  • Wett Certified Contractor – contact information
  • Appliance information – manufacturer and model
  • Copy of the manual including manufacturer installation instructions (Digital)
  • Construction drawings that indicate the stove's location 
  • Installation of solid burning appliances in manufactured homes and garage/accessory buildings requires proof of acceptability by the manufacturer

Swimming Pool

Required documents:

  • Building permit application
  • Documents as required on the Application Checklist (Digital format preferred)
  • Sealed drawings (Digital format preferred)
  • Site Plan with illustration of gates and fencing
  • Soil Comment or Report from Geotechnical Engineer

Water Service Connection

Required documents:

Other Building Permits by Type

Residential

Required documents:

Commercial

Required documents:

This application applies to commercial/industrial and multi-tenant buildings, including tenant improvements.

Required documents:

Sign bylaws and permits allow the City of West Kelowna to regulate the number, size, type, form, appearance, and location of signage, and ensure that signage is properly and safely installed.

Refer to Sign Bylaw No. 0250 for more information.

Required documents:

A licensed servicing or plumbing company should be hired to make these connections as they are trained and certified. Residential Permits can be issued over the counter and Non-Residential Permits must go through the plan check process.

Required documents:

Required documents:

Building Inspections

Inspections can be booked by calling 778-797-8820, or emailing building@westkelownacity.ca . When booking an inspection, the following information is required:

  • Site Address
  • Permit Number
  • Contact Name and Number
  • Type of Inspections
  • Access Instructions if Applicable
For details regarding Building and Plumbing‑related inspections, see our Inspection Guide, which provides homeowners, contractors and sub-contractors with a list of inspections that must be scheduled prior to concealing any works. This list is provided for general guidance only and we recommend connecting with your Building or Plumbing Officials to determine if additional inspections may be required for your project.

Please note:

  • Next day inspection requests must be received before 3 p.m. the day prior and time preference (a.m. or p.m.) cannot be guaranteed.
  • We are unable to accommodate phone calls prior to inspection; it is at the responsibility of the permit holder to be present at time of inspection.
  • If you are unable to be present on site during the date of your scheduled inspection, please call to cancel your inspection. Any related questions can be directed via email or on-site with your Building Official.
  • Due to the volume of requests, we do not provide call backs to schedule.
  • Please note we do not provide inspections on weekends or statutory holidays.
  • All required documentation must be submitted prior to inspection booking.

Updates

The 2024 BC Building Code introduced significant changes to the bracing requirements for wood frame construction, including the new braced wall requirements for Part 9 housing. These changes came into effect on March 10th, 2025 and are applicable to all Part 9 Housing in BC, including low seismic locations. The redesign of section 9.23 accommodates higher seismicity and includes new solutions for resisting lateral loads due to earthquakes and wind.

  • The provincial government passed Ministerial Orders M40 and BA 2023 08, which amended the Building Act and the B.C. Building Code, requiring all new Part 9 residential buildings to comply with the Energy Code for Step 3.
  • Effective May 1, 2023, all new applications submitted to the City for Part 9 residential building permits must have designs that comply with Energy Code for Step 3, and must include an Energy Advisor's report.  
  • To learn more, visit energystepcode.ca or email the Building and Safety Standards Branch at building.safety@gov.bc.ca.

Building Permit Statistics

Contact us

Building Department
West Kelowna City Hall
3731 Old Okanagan Highway
West Kelowna, B.C. V4T 0G7
778-797-8820
building@westkelownacity.ca 

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