The District of Sparwood requires a building permit whenever an individual or business constructs or renovates a building, or causes a building to be constructed or renovated.
Please see our Residential Building Permit Guide for more information on building permits.
If you are moving a building or demolishing one, you will likely require a moving or demolition permit.
Building permits are required before beginning any type of construction as defined in the Building Bylaw:
Please see our Residential Building Permit Guide for more information on building permits. If you are unsure about whether a building permit is required, please check with the Planning Department at 250.425.6271.
You do not need a permit for:
As defined in the BC Building Code:
It is unlawful to commence construction without a building permit and double permit fees will be charged to you.
If the work does not comply with the BC Building Code, you may have to pay for costly repairs to upgrade or you may have to remove the work.
If your building permit is denied due to issues relating to zoning, you may apply for a a Development Variance Permit or a Board of Variance order provided the variance is not to the use or density of the property. can request to apply to the Board of Variance.
As defined in our Building Bylaw:
A standard building (Part 9 of the BC Building Code) is a building of three stories or less in building height, having an area that is less than 600 square metres (6,458 ft2) and used for:
A complex buildings (Part 3 of the BC Building Code) are
1. All buildings used for major occupancies classified as
2. All buildings exceeding 600 square meters (6,458 ft2) or exceeding three stories in building height that will be used for:
The application requirements for as complex or standard building differ. Please consult the District’s Building Bylaw sections 9 and 10 for the requirements for complex and standard applications.
There are requirements you must meet depending on the project. Before you begin your next home/business build or reno, we recommended that you first:
Building permit application are still available by paper format here, but applicants are encouraged to apply through Cloudpermit below.
Permits are now available online! As of September 2021 the District of Sparwood now accepts permit applications through our online software Cloudpermit.
Here are some features of the new system:
How to apply. Click the button below to access Cloudpermit. If you are new to the system you will need to create an account. If you have used the system before you may log back in. Select the button below and proceed to registration/login.
If you need assistance, watch the instructional video below.
Building permit fees are set in the Building Bylaw and are also outlined in our Residential Building Permit Guide.
Building inspections are mandated by the BC Building Code and assist a homeowner or builder to meet the regulatory requirements and standards for structure, health and safety, security, and fire protection. You are encouraged to consult with the building inspector before you submit an application to ensure that you are aware of all applicable municipal bylaws and codes relating to building in Sparwood. Communicating in advance will reduce the chances of problems arising during a field inspection.
How often a building inspection occurs will depend on your specific project and will be clearly communicated to you by the building inspector.
An inspection can be requested through the Cloudpermit platform. Please contact the Planning Department if you are having difficulties.
A number of inspections are carried out during construction and upon completion. It is the responsibility of the permit holder or the agent/contractor acting for the property owner to book appointments for the required inspections. If the work requiring the inspection is not completely finished before the inspector’s arrival, other fees may apply.
Please note that the day requested may not be possible to meet due to scheduling constraints.
A Development Variance Permit (DVP) is a permit issued by a local government through Council to vary or alter a bylaw regulation for a specific development. A DVP is required whenever a proposed or existing development does not meet the requirements of certain zoning regulations
A Development Variance Permit Application may be applied for to vary a regulation(s) of the Zoning Bylaw, the Subdivision Servicing Bylaw, or the Sign Bylaw. A DVP cannot vary the use of land or density. In these cases a Zoning Bylaw Amendment would be required.
Please review our Development Variance Permit Guide. It is also recommended that you consult with the Planning Department prior to submitting an application. If your project does require a DVP, please complete a Development Variance Permit Application (including a DVP Supplemental Form for each variance request) and submit it to the Main Office (136 Spruce Avenue). The DVP application fee is $400 plus the cost of the development sign.
Development Variance Permit applications are reviewed by applicable departments and may also be referred to external agencies for review. Variance proposals proceed to Council, followed by a public notice period, and an Informal Hearing at which time Council will approve, deny or set conditions on permit approval.
Please see the our Development Variance Permit Guide and Development Application Procedure Bylaw for detailed information on the application process.
Minor Development Variance Permit
A Minor DVP is similar in function to a DVP but can be approved by the Director of Planning and Development if the variance meets the definition of “minor” as outlined in section 4.1.3. of Delegation Bylaw 1309, 2023.
A Minor DVP is a streamlined permit process that does not need to be approved by Council and is exempt from a public hearing, which may cut permit processing time in half