The Building Department ensures that all construction of buildings and structures complies with Building Bylaw 1404, the BC Building Code, and relevant federal regulations.
The department primarily focuses on regulating and inspecting new construction, renovations, alterations, additions, and changes in the occupancy of existing buildings.
In addition, the Building Department administers the Town's Building Regulation and Sign Bylaws, as well as overseeing building permits and inspections.
Homeowners with questions about fences, accessory structures, renovations, setbacks, or related topics are encouraged to visit our Guide For Property Owners page.
The Building Bylaw and applicable building and plumbing codes are designed to ensure high-quality construction using modern methods and materials. Building permits are required for most types of construction, including:
- Constructing any residential, commercial, institutional, or industrial building
- Building an accessory structure with a total area exceeding 10 square metres
- Renovating, making structural changes, or performing major repairs on an existing building
- Constructing or altering a swimming pool
- Completing an unfinished area in an existing building
- Installing any awning or canopy
- Demolishing or relocating a building
- Extending or modifying any plumbing
- Moving or placing a mobile home or temporary structure
- Building or installing a wood-burning appliance or chimney
To maintain construction standards, thorough checks of building plans and inspections are conducted during ongoing projects. While some delays may occur, every effort is made to minimize them.
Before starting any construction, consult the Town to verify what is permitted on your property under the current Zoning Bylaw. Non-compliant projects may require bylaw amendments or a variance permit from Council before proceeding. Furthermore, the Official Community Plan (OCP) mandates obtaining a development permit from Council for most industrial, commercial, institutional, and multi-family residential projects before submitting a building permit application to the building inspector.
Building and Plumbing Fees
Building and plumbing permit fees are structured as follows:
- Application fee: $150 per permit ($50 for a sign permit)
- $10 per $1,000 of construction value (VOC)
- A 5% discount for permits backed by professional letters of assurance
- $10 for each plumbing fixture
Building Permit Application Form Download: Building Permit Application
Steps to Obtain and Maintain a Valid Building Permit
To begin, submit your Building Permit Application along with the following:
- Site Plan: Provide two copies showing property lines, proposed buildings, dimensions to property lines, requested access location, and all onsite parking.
- Building Plans: Submit two copies, drawn to scale, depicting foundations, floor plans, typical cross-sections, and front and rear elevations.
- Detailed Drawings: Include two copies of plumbing, mechanical, electrical, structural, and other drawings related to your project (specific requirements depend on project complexity).
- State of Title Certificate: Attach a copy along with any easements or covenants affecting the building site.
- Flood Plain Areas: Indicate the proposed elevation of the structure (referenced to the geodetic survey of Canada datum).
- Access Permit: For properties along Highway 97 and provincial roads at municipal boundaries, obtain an access permit from the Ministry of Highways.
- BC Building Code Schedules: Submit any prescribed schedules, completed and signed by a registered architect or professional engineer, as required for your project.
- Residential Construction: Provide all forms required by the Homeowner Protection Office. For details, refer to BC Housing.
- Application Fee: Pay the $150 fee.
Building plans are reviewed to ensure compliance with municipal bylaws and regulations. Property owners must verify any easements, covenants, or building schemes registered against the property that could affect the planned structure.
During Plan Review
- The building inspector may contact you to request additional information or corrections.
- If your proposal requires a zoning amendment, variance permit, or development permit, you will be notified before approval.
Once plans are approved, the building inspector calculates the permit fee and any development cost charges. Security deposits may be required to cover potential damage to road features or special street cleaning during construction. You will be informed of the total amount payable to activate your permit.
During Construction
Schedule inspections with the Town office at the following construction stages. A minimum of 24 hours' notice is required:
- Footings and formwork
- Concrete walls after damp-proofing
- Water and sewer connections
- Radon gas protection
- Underslab plumbing
- Rough-in plumbing
- Framing
- Insulation and vapour barrier
- Final overall inspection
Final inspections must be completed within two years of the permit being issued to avoid renewal fees or the need to apply for a new permit.
Security Deposit Refund
Remaining funds from your security deposit account will be refunded after a successful final inspection.
Renovating or altering a structure may require a Demolition Permit from the Town of Oliver. Please contact the Building Department to determine if a Demolition Permit is necessary.
Before commencing any demolition, renovation, or structural alterations, the BC Occupational Health & Safety Regulation mandates that a qualified professional (Hazard Assessment Contractor) conduct a Pre-Demolition or Pre-Renovation Hazardous Assessment Report. Structures may contain hazardous materials, such as asbestos, lead paint, and other harmful substances.
Refer to the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS) website for requirements for waste disposal of demolition materials.
Contact List for Hazard Assessment and for Abatement Contractors
You can now pay for Building Permits online using a credit card. Please note that a 2.5% service fee applies. The Town will provide you with a 7-digit permit number and detailed instructions to complete the payment process. Click here
Alternatively, the Town Hall accepts debit, cash or cheque in person.
In areas of the town without sewer service, a sewage disposal (septic tank) permit must be obtained from the Provincial Health Inspector before submitting your building permit application.
Applications for telephone, cable TV, natural gas, and electricity must be submitted directly to the respective utility companies. Electrical permits can be obtained from the Safety Authority by calling 1-866-566-7233.
Within Town limits (except in the industrial area), extensions to overhead utility lines are not permitted. If service cannot be provided from existing poles, it must be installed underground.
Current Year Building Stats
2025 - January
2025 - February
2025 - March
2025 - AprilOnly properties with a history of specified industrial and commercial uses are impacted by this process.
Specified industrial and commercial uses
Schedule 2 of the Contaminated Sites Regulation (CSR) provides a comprehensive list of industrial and commercial uses, organized by category, that have the potential to cause contamination at a property.
This Schedule is used to determine if a site disclosure statement is required at certain trigger points. For more information go to BC Government Site.
