Building permits and inspections
The RDCO provides building regulation and inspection services for the two electoral areas in our region: Electoral Area East and Electoral Area West. Municipalities in the region (City of Kelowna, City of West Kelowna, District of Lake Country, District of Peachland) oversee building and inspection services within their boundaries, as do local First Nations (Okanagan Indian Band and Westbank First Nation).
Building permits
Building permits are required for the construction, addition, alteration or demolition of any building or structure. Accessory buildings less than 10 square meters are exempt. Please ensure your plans comply with current zoning on the property, found in RDCO maps.
Building inspectors follow Building | Bylaw No. 1482 which manages the regulations of the BC Building Code, including local regulations, permits and building inspections. Permit fees are outlined in Development Application Fees and Charges | Bylaw No. 1483.
Apply for a building permit
Complete the building permit application form for your online or in-person submission.
Documents must be submitted in pdf format. Please ensure your application is complete by reviewing the building permit application document checklist. We cannot process incomplete applications and fees are non-refundable.
If you are working on behalf of a property owner you must include owners authorization form signed by the registered owner.
Additional approvals will be required if the property is within a development permit area.
Approved building permits
Inspections
Inspections are required at various stages in the construction process to ensure the minimum standards of the BC Building Code are met. Your permit package outlines the inspections required on your building permit. This inspection checklist will be used by the building inspector to complete the inspection.
The building permit package must be on site for all inspections. If these documents are not available for inspectors reference, no inspections will be made.
We require 48-hour notice for your inspection booking. Inspections are scheduled between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on each inspection day. Inspection days by area:
- Electoral Area East: Wednesdays and Fridays
- Electoral Area West: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
Email inspection@rdco.com to book your inspection. Be sure to include:
- Permit number and address
- Contact name and phone number
- Type of Inspection
- Preferred date for inspection
Resources
Other land use guides:
External resources
- BC Assessment - general property information, including the size, age and assessed value.
- BC Building codes - versions of the BC building, plumbing and fire codes are available online.
- BC Energy Step Code - establishes measurable energy-efficiency requirements for new construction.
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- BC's energy efficiency page
- Find a qualified energy advisor
- Natural Resources Canada - energy advisor service providers
- Technical Safety BC - electrical and gas permits
- Land Title and Survey Authority of BC - operates the land title and survey systems for our province.
- Also available through speedysearch.ca
- Interior Health - oversees sewer and septic system regulations.
- Fortis BC offers their new home program which includes Energy Advisor support.
- BC Hydro provides rebates and free programs and residential tools and calculators to help you make smart energy choices.
- CleanBC Better Homes lists rebates in their rebate search tool.
