The City of Kamloops has received $200,000 through a program that helps local governments optimize approval processes for building new homes.
The Local Government Development Approvals Program provides funding for projects that improve the efficiency of development approvals, helping communities accelerate housing delivery and increase housing supply. This grant initiative is administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and funded by the Province of British Columbia.
The City will use the funding to review and improve its development applications process, building on work completed in 2025 to launch a new e-Permit system, which allows applicants to apply online for building and development-related permits.
“Our goal is to continue to improve clarity, consistency, coordination, and predictability for applicants and staff. Specifically, the work will include mapping current processes, identifying opportunities to reduce delays and improve efficiencies—particularly in regard to referrals, clarifying roles and responsibilities, improving guidance materials, and developing tools such as standardized procedures, checklists, triage approaches, and performance measures,” said Marvin Kwiatkowski, the City’s Development, Engineering, and Sustainability Director.
The Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Interior supported the City’s funding application and welcomes the opportunity to work together on enhancing processes.
“We are pleased to see the City receive this funding; improving the efficiency, clarity, and predictability of development approvals is critical to supporting timely housing delivery in our community. We look forward to continued collaboration with the City to help streamline processes and bring practical, industry-informed solutions that support housing supply,” said Chris Crowell, President, Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Interior.
The work supports Council’s strategic priorities in the areas of housing, growth management, and service excellence.
“Kamloops is growing. We know we need to increase our housing supply and improving development approvals processes helps immensely to do so. Stronger coordination across departments and with external partners also supports effective use of City resources. Council is delighted to hear that we have received dedicated resources to continue modernizing these processes, which will continue to improve service and efficiency directly related to providing homes and sustaining the economic health of our community,” said Deputy Mayor Dale Bass.
The City must use the Local Government Development Approvals Program funds within two years.
