The City is updating its Building Bylaw to modernize and enhance construction protocols to align with provincial and municipal standards.
The primary purpose of Building Regulation Bylaw No. 11-84, 2025, is to regulate and administer standards concerning the design, construction, and/or occupancy of new buildings and alteration, demolition, and relocation of existing structures.
“An updated bylaw will support a safer, more sustainable, and resilient community, forming a robust foundation for ongoing improvements to construction processes in Kamloops,” said Marc Vere, the City’s Chief Building Official.
“The new bylaw will replace the existing 2006 bylaw and its amendments. This update will streamline the administration of BC Building Codes and regulation of construction in Kamloops and create clarity and consistency by outlining the process in the bylaw rather than the policies that have been developed over the years,” explained Vere.
The update will impact builders, developers, contractors, suppliers, tradespeople, and homeowners considering renovations, additions, landscaping, retaining walls, pools, and solar panel installations.
Existing building projects with permits in place or project submissions deemed complete before the new bylaw is adopted will remain under the current bylaw and permit requirements. A building permit that expires or is not renewed before adoption will be required to meet new bylaw requirements.
The proposed new bylaw was presented at the January 14, 2025, regular Council meeting. Staff will now consult with industry members, conduct public engagement, and report back to Council before consideration of bylaw adoption.
Key proposed bylaw changes aim to improve:
• general administration of the bylaw
• how the bylaw is applied to existing buildings
• standards for permit requirements and types
• clarity of owner's and registered professional's responsibilities
• permit process expediency
• specific design requirements
• compliance and enforcement measures
A public information session will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the Sports Centre Lounge at the McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre, where boards will outline further details of the key changes and staff will be on hand to answer questions.
The full draft bylaw, FAQs, and a question submission tool are available at LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca/BuildingBylaw.
