Building Permits & Inspections

In the District of Elkford, you must apply for a building permit before starting most construction and renovation projects. The District’s Building Official conducts inspections during the permit process to ensure that issues related to building code compliance are addressed.

Building permits and inspections are regulated by the District’s of Elkford’s Building Bylaw:
    •    Building Bylaw

If you are not sure if you need a building permit, or have questions about your build, contact the Building Official at 250.865.4003 or building@elkford.ca.

Apply for a Building Permit Online  

The District of Elkford uses Cloudpermit, a cloud-based software, so you can complete the entire building permit process online on any mobile device. With Cloudpermit, you can:  

• Apply for building permits at any time, from anywhere.
• Check the status of your building permit or building inspection (when your application status changes, you’ll automatically receive an email letting you know)
• Schedule or cancel building inspections.
• Communicate with your building department with time-stamped messages.
• Request and submit changes to an existing building permit.  

Ready to apply? Excellent! You'll also need some important documentation to proceed.
 

Documents Required to Apply

Note that incomplete applications and missing documentation will delay processing times. To limit unnecessary delay, please ensure your application is completed in full and all required documents are provided.

The full list of required documentation and additional details can be found in District of Elkford Building Bylaw No. 748, 2013:

(v) include copies in duplicate of the specifications and scale drawings of the Building or Structure with respect of which the work is to be carried out showing: 
(1) the dimensions of the Building; 
(2) the proposed use of each room or floor area; 
(3) the dimensions of the Land on which the Building is, or is to be, situated; 
(4) the grades and elevations of the streets and sewers abutting the Land referred to in clause (3), when required by the Building Official; 
(5) the position, Height and horizontal dimensions of all Buildings on the Land referred to in clause (3); 
(6) a survey of the Land or Building site by a B.C. Registered Land Surveyor, when required by the Building Official; 
(7) the technical information specified in other parts of this bylaw required to be included on the drawings relating to those parts; 
(8) such other information as is necessary to illustrate all essential features of the design or construction of the Buildings; 
(9) when required by the Building Official be accompanied by: 
a. a plan that shows the location and size of every Building drain and of every trap or inspection piece that is on a Building drain, and 
b. a sectional drawing that shows the size and location of every soil or waste pipe on the lot, trap and vent pipe; and 
c. a schematic showing provisions for future solar domestic hot water system installation. 
(10) contain any and all other information necessary to establish compliance with this bylaw.

Getting Started With Cloudpermit

To start, create your Cloudpermit account by visiting https://ca.cloudpermit.com/login. Once registered, you can apply for building permits and track their progress online.

How-to Videos and Support Materials 

Cloudpermit has a variety of resources to help you! Check out Cloudpermit Support for instructions on the basics and watch the instructional videos below to learn how to use the software (watch more here):  

• 'Cloudpermit - How to Submit a Building Permit Application' - video
• 'How to Send a Message on Cloudpermit' - video
• 'How to Request Inspections' - video 

When Do I Need a Building Permit?

Examples of projects that require a building permit include:

• Construction of any new building or structure over 10 square metres (108 square feet)
• Structural repair, alterations or additions to an existing building (including decks)
• Altering or adding to plumbing systems
• Installing or altering retaining walls over 1.2 m (4 ft). in height above grade
• Moving, adding or removing interior structural walls
• Enclosing a deck, carport or porch
• Installing a woodstove or other wood burning appliance
• Siting a mobile or modular home or structure
• Placing a temporary building on any property (such as a construction office)
• Demolition of any building requires a Demolition Permit
• Changing the occupancy or use of any structure or space
• Finishing a basement
• When performing any excavation

Did you know? No building permit is required to build a fence as long as the fence is in compliance with all Zoning Bylaws and fence height regulations.

Always ensure that you are constructing your fence on your own property and not on your neighbouring properties, right-of-ways or easements.

Questions? Contact the Building Official at building@elkford.ca.

Other Important Considerations

Some properties are within Development Permit Areas and may require a development permit before a building permit can be issued. For more information on this, visit the Official Community Plan page.
Electrical and gas systems are in the jurisdiction of Technical Safety BC. Visit www.technicalsafetybc.ca for more information on electrical and gas systems.

Request Your Building Inspection

To request a building inspection, contact the Building Official at building@elkford.ca.

*** Disclaimer: Bylaws are provided online for research and educational purposes only. The PDF documents are not official copies of our bylaws and these documents not admissible in a court of law. The District of Elkford will, in no event, be held liable or responsible for damages of any kind that arise from reference to, or use of, these bylaws online. Please contact info@elkford.ca to request official copies for usage in a court of law. ***