Kelowna runs applications through an online portal and publishes what each project type needs. Here is the checklist, the process, and how inspections are booked.
Kelowna takes building permit applications through an online portal, and the City publishes project-by-project lists of what to submit. What it does not publish is a simple one-line fee: permit fees are set in Schedule A of the City’s Building Bylaw (No. 7245) and calculated for your project. This guide covers the steps, the documents Kelowna asks for, how inspections are booked, and the mistakes that slow people down. Facts below come from City of Kelowna pages listed at the bottom of this page; confirm them before you apply.
Check the jurisdiction before anything else. West Kelowna and Lake Country are separate municipalities with their own permit offices, and rural properties outside municipal boundaries fall under the Regional District of Central Okanagan. Your property tax notice shows which government you pay; that is usually the one that issues your permit. Our Permit Finder can help, but the tax notice is the authority.
Is my project allowed? Zoning decides setbacks, height, lot coverage and whether a suite is allowed on your lot. Check it before you draw or apply for the permit: look up your address on the map, then read your zone in the bylaw.
Checked October 26, 2026 (City of Kelowna): Kelowna Map Viewer · Zoning Bylaw No. 12375
Kelowna says cosmetic changes such as painting, flooring, replacing baseboards and resurfacing cabinets do not need a building permit; the Building Bylaw sets out when one is required. New homes, carriage houses, secondary suites, additions, structural renovations, decks, accessory buildings (garages, sheds, workshops), pools, solid-fuel appliances and demolition each have their own application page. A separate application is required for each building on a property. Plumbing permits are issued by the City; for electrical and gas permits, check with Technical Safety BC.
Under the Building Bylaw, a permit application expires six months after the application date if the permit has not been issued, unless it is extended. Answer plan-check questions quickly.
Accessory buildings (garage, shed, workshop) also need an Owner’s Authorization Form signed by all owners on title and an Owner’s Acknowledgement Form.
Building permit fees in Kelowna are set in Schedule A of Building Bylaw No. 7245. The lines below come from the consolidated version the City links from its Building Bylaw page, which is marked “revised March 1, 2021” and “for convenience only”. Confirm current amounts with Development Services before you budget. The City calculates the fee for your application and emails a payment link.
| Value of construction (Schedule A) | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $10,000 | $175.00 (non-refundable) |
| $10,001 – $100,000 | $175.00 + $9.55 per $1,000 or portion thereof |
| $100,001 – $500,000 | $1,034.50 + $8.05 per $1,000 or portion thereof |
| $500,001 and up | $4,254.50 + $7.20 per $1,000 or portion thereof |
| Secondary suite within a single family dwelling | $510.00 flat fee |
| Demolition | $175.00 per building |
| Re-inspection | $150.00 |
| Permit extension / permit transfer | $100.00 / $150.00 |
The per-$1,000 amounts apply to the value above the bottom of each band. For example, the $100,001 band starts at $1,034.50, which is $175 plus 90 × $9.55. Worked example (our arithmetic, not a City quote): a $50,000 renovation works out to $175 + 40 × $9.55 = $557. Schedule A also says that starting work before the permit is issued means paying double the construction-value fee (to a maximum of $1,000). It reduces the fee by 5% where the City relies on sealed professional plans. New construction may also trigger development cost charges and servicing fees, which the City explains on its development fees and cost charges page.
Booking inspections is the permit holder’s job. According to the City:
Removing a tree near water or on a steep slope? Our BC tree-cutting permit checker shows where Kelowna's tree bylaw applies, with fees and official links.
| Purpose | Contact |
|---|---|
| Application help | developmentservicesinfo@kelowna.ca · 250-469-8960 |
| Inspection line (24 hours) | 250-469-8977 |
| Paper plan drop-off | City Hall, 1435 Water Street, 2nd floor, “Application Centre” |
| Jurisdiction check | West Kelowna and Lake Country are separate cities; rural areas are the Regional District of Central Okanagan |
Schedule A of Building Bylaw No. 7245 sets the fee by construction value: $175 up to $10,000, then $175 plus $9.55 per $1,000 up to $100,000, with lower per-$1,000 rates above that. A secondary suite inside a house is a $510 flat fee. A $50,000 job works out to about $557. The City emails you the actual amount, and new units can also pay development cost charges.
Detached garages, sheds, barns and workshops have their own application page and checklist. Read the City’s Detached Accessory Building Bulletin to see whether your size and use need a permit.
Applications go through the online portal. Paper copies are only needed for large-format plans (over 11×17) and truss packages.
The City does not publish a single guaranteed turnaround. Complete applications with every listed document move fastest; development permits, variances and ALR approvals add separate stages.
This guide relies on the official pages below. Rules, fees and processes change, so check the authority before you apply or spend money.
Links checked September 25, 2026. Found an error or a broken link? Report it.