Building Permit & Inspections

The Village of Keremeos contracts the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen for the provision of Building Inspection services. Inspectors are in the Village Office on Thursday mornings from 9:45 am to 12:30 pm. Please contact the Village Office to arrange for an appointment or to request an on-site inspection.

Note that the Building Inspectors are available by appointment only and cannot accommodate unscheduled queries and requests. 

NEW - BC ENERGY STEP CODE BUILDING REQUIREMENTS

The BC Energy Step Code is currently an energy efficiency standard in the BC Building Code.  The Province of BC has committed to taking incremental steps to increase energy-efficiency requirements in the BC Building Code to make new buildings net-zero energy ready by 2032. Before applying for a Keremeos Building Permit, review the Regional District webpage on BC Energy Step Code to learn more.

As of May 1, 2023, plans for new buildings and renovations must be pre-reviewed by a certified Energy Advisor before a building permit can be accepted.

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Application for Building Permits can be made at the Village Office. Depending on the complexity of the application, initial plan checking takes approximately 2-4 weeks for a single family dwelling and 4-8 weeks for commercial, industrial and multi-family buildings.

Examples of when Building Permits may be required:

  • construction of a new building
  • structural alteration of any building, and some non-structural alterations
  • demolition or removal of some materials from a building
  • change of occupancy or use in a business property
  • reconstruction of a building that has been damaged
  • construction of accessory buildings 10 m2 (108 square feet) and larger
  • construction of retaining walls greater than 1.5 m in height
  • construction of swimming pools
  • installation of building canopies, marquees and awnings if supported by columns and footings
  • installation of commercial cooking equipment

Please consult the Building Inspector regarding whether a Permit is required prior to any construction or alterations. Permit fees vary according to the specifics of the construction.

Inspections

After a building permit is issued, numerous site inspections are required prior to final approval and the issuance of an occupancy permit. Every owner shall give at least 48 hours notice to staff when requesting an inspection. 

Download the printable brochure listing inspections during construction.

Approved Plans are required on-site for all inspections. The building permit and the civic address must be posted at the site.

Building Bylaw

Building Permit Application

Building Permit Application Package

Building Permit Requirements

Keremeos Climatic Data

Seismic Information

 

Application for Demolition Permits

In order to authorize the demolition or removal of buildings or structures, property owners must first apply for and obtain an approved Demolition Permit from the Village of Keremeos. 

A Demolition Permit application costs $150 and requires that a recent State of Title Certificate be enclosed with the application (which the Village can complete at an additional charge of $25).  The owner must also pass an inspection of the demolition site by the Building Inspector.

Demolition Permit Application

Please be advised that Demolition Permit applications must also be accompanied by and remain in compliance with an approved waste disposal plan authorized by the Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen.  Applicants must also apply for an RDOS Waste Disposal Application for Demolition & Renovation Waste in order for their Demolition Permit with the Village of Keremeos to be approved.

RDOS Waste Disposal Application for Demolition & Renovation Waste

For information on the RDOS Waste Disposal Application, please visit the RDOS Public Works Solid Waste Demolition, Renovation & Construction Waste Information page or phone (250) 490-4144.

To view a flowchart of the required steps of a demolition process, please click here.  A comprehensive breakdown of all the required steps within the demolition process can also be found by clicking here.