A building bylaw is designed to help ensure that building development meets health, fire, structural and general safety requirements for the protection of individuals, consumers, and the community.
The Regional District Building Official is available to provide additional information regarding building bylaw requirements within a Municipality or Electoral Area to anyone building a structure.
Building Bylaw No. 1753 applies to the whole Regional District of Kootenay Boundary and contains information on regulations that will help you when applying for a building permit.
For further information check the RDKB:
Building Bylaw 1753
Building Bylaw 1816
Building Bylaw 1839
Building Bylaw 1864
Building Bylaw 1868
Building Specifications in Heavy Snow Zones
The roof and foundations of a building must be designed to support the greatest weight of snow that is likely to accumulate over a 50-year period.
Because of mountain wind patterns, localized precipitation patterns and observed deviations from ground snow loads, snow load weights for mountainous regions of British Columbia are different from rates in other parts of Canada. Environment Canada records over the years have produced accurate data to project the likely depths of snow that could accumulate on different roof designs and subsequent weight the structure must be designed to bear.
Please use the link below to determine structural requirements for roofs and footings. These requirements form part of the Building Bylaw #1753 which grants the RDKB the responsibility for all building and plumbing inspection in the Electoral Areas.
Please contact the Building Department for further information.
Ground Snow Load and Wind Loads
Changes to the BC Building Code
The Province of British Columbia's Building Policy Branch has introduced changes to the BC Building Code to align the Code with the 2015 National Building Code of Canada and the 2015 National Fire Code of Canada.
This 2018 BC Building Code applies across the RDKB and sets the minimum standards for health, safety, accessibility, fire protection and protection from water and sewer damage. Many of the changes are upgrades to safety standards including carbon monoxide alarms, fire alarm systems and exit requirements.
Contractors and builders that work in the RDKB are encouraged to become familiar with the 2018 BC Building Code. Copies can be ordered from BC Government Publications.