Building Permits

When you need a permit

Most construction work in Castlegar requires a building permit. Every project and property is unique, so the City strongly recommends contacting Development Services early to confirm what your specific project needs.

Step 1: Request property information

Before you design or hire a contractor, find out what's actually allowed on your lot. Property information from the City covers zoning, setbacks, lot coverage limits, easements, and any conditions on the title. This information shapes what you can realistically build.

Step 2: Pre-application meeting

The pre-application meeting is where you sit down with Development Services staff to walk through your project. They tell you what documents you'll need to submit, how long the review usually takes for projects like yours, and any red flags to address before you formally apply. This meeting is the single most valuable part of the process.

Step 3: Submit your application

Once you have the information from steps 1 and 2, you submit a complete application package. Submitting a complete package speeds up review. Submitting an incomplete one means waiting for the City to ask for what's missing, then waiting again.

Fees and processing time

Permit fees are calculated based on project type and construction value. Specific fee schedules are published by the Development Services department. Processing times vary by project complexity and current workload. The pre-application meeting is the right place to get a realistic timeline for your specific project.

Inspections during construction

Building permits include scheduled inspections at key construction stages (foundation, framing, plumbing, insulation, final). The City's inspectors confirm work meets the BC Building Code before construction can proceed to the next stage. Schedule inspections through Development Services as your project progresses.