How to get a building permit in Lumby, BC

Step by step in Lumby

1. 1

   Confirm zoning before anything else

   Check the property's zone, setbacks, height and lot coverage, and whether it sits in a Development Permit Area. If it does, that approval has to come before the building permit — Lumby won't issue until land use is settled.

2. 2

   Work out which permits you need

   Structural work needs a building permit from Village of Lumby. Electrical and gas are separate and are issued by Technical Safety BC (province-wide authority) — neither the Village nor the RDNO issues electrical or gas permits; apply to Technical Safety BC, 1-866-566-7233. Plumbing is usually part of the building permit.

3. 3

   Prepare drawings and documents

   Village of Lumby asks for: Dimensioned site plan showing subject and proposed properties; Drawings of the proposed development including building elevations and parking layout; Existing vegetation / landscaped area documentation (per Planning Procedures and Fee Bylaw Schedule A); Compliance with Village of Lumby Building Bylaw No. 834, 2019 and Zoning Bylaw; Confirm Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw designation with the Village office before applying; Development Cost Charges apply to additional dwelling units; BC Energy Step Code and home warranty apply per provincial rules for new homes.

4. 4

   Submit your application

   In person / email / mail — no online portal. Forms downloadable from Lumby CivicWeb (https://lumby.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/112). Building inspection is contracted to the Regional District of North Okanagan; contact the RDNO / Village office to submit.

5. 5

   Pay the permit fee

   Fees per Village Planning Procedures and Fee Bylaw (Schedule A); construction-value based building permit fees plus Development Cost Charges. Contact the Village for estimates. Confirm the current schedule with Lumby before you budget.

6. 6

   Plan review, then build to inspections

   The building department reviews against the BC Building Code and zoning; answer any comments quickly. Once issued, post the permit on site and book inspections at each stage — footings, framing, rough-in, insulation, final. Don't cover work before it's inspected.

Lumby permit questions