Building Permits
When You Need a Permit
Building permits are usually required for new building or renovation projects. All new construction, including accessory buildings (garage, carport, garden shed etc.) that is allowed within the zoning of your property will most likely require a building permit prior to work initiating. A building permit is also required for the following:
- All temporary buildings
- Additions or alterations to existing buildings, including:
- Moving interior walls and partitions
- Moving existing plumbing, electrical or gas lines
- Installing new plumbing, electrical or gas lines
- Replacement of Poly-B
- Making structural repairs or changes that are permitted outright (specifically allowed) by your zoning
- Some "hard" landscaping features, such as fences or retaining walls (less than 4 feet in height)
When You Don't Need a Permit
You do not need a permit for the following:
- Replace fixtures, cabinets, and flooring
- Paint the interior of your home
- Carry out non-structural maintenance or minor repairs to the exterior of your home
- Above ground swimming pools
- Replacement of mechanical and ventilation equipment only (i.e. HVAC)
- Farm buildings less than 50 m2 (538 sq. feet)
Building Permits are valid for a two year period.
How Do I Apply For Building Permit?
There are two options, to apply for a Building Permit:
1. Apply in Person at Municipal Hall (13211 Henry Avenue)
Download and fill-in the "Building Permit Application -2024" form from below links and along with all other plans, schedules, and documentation required from the checklist items for the building type, submit the documentation package to the Development Services counter at Municipal Hall (13211 Henry Avenue). Our staff will be on hand to answer any questions you may have of the process!
Application Forms
Building Permit Application 2024
Owners Indemnification
Agent Authorization Form
Plumbing Permit Application
Drive Way Application
Solid Fuel Burning Appliance Application
Sample Site Plan
Sample Site Plan-Hand Drawn
2. Apply through the District's Online Application Portal
Click on the "Apply Online Now!" button below to be redirected to the District's portal and follow the prompts to create an account and apply for a Building Permit.
If you would like to have our building staff provide electronic mark-ups on your digital plans, please be sure to select "Yes" on the question "Are you applying for an Electronic Plans Review"?
If your building project has a plumbing component (i.e. all new single family dwellings will have an associated plumbing permit in addition to a building permit), please be sure to click on "Plumbing" under "Select Permit Types" (see below):
If there are additional types of permits/applications needed for your building project, please remember to apply for these permits separately from the building permit process. For Works and Infrastructure related permits (I.e. Driveway Access Permits, Electrical Service Connections, Water/Sewer Service Connections, Road Closures, etc), please apply for these permits separately under the "Works and Infrastructure" section of the portal (see image below):
You will be asked for these applications if your permit application is related to another parent application, please select yes and provide the Building Permit number in the field available:
District staff will then be able to link all relevant applications to your building project so that you may easily track them through the permit issuance and inspections process.
Ready?! Do you have all your necessary documents you need to apply? Please feel free to click on the below link to get started on your project!
Zero Carbon Step Code
On April 8 2025 the District hosted a builder engagement at TimberMart in Summerland to inform on the updates of the Zero Carbon Step Code, Provincial requirements, and the current housing in Summerland and its ties to Zero Carbon Step Code. If you missed the event please see the link below to see the slide deck!
Builder Engagement Slide Deck (2025)
More information about Zero Carbon Step Code can be found
here