The results of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) Building Permit Process survey were presented during the July 21, 2022, Corporate Services Committee meeting. The anonymous survey focused on identifying issues or concerns with the building permit process. The survey was conducted online and via paper copies between March 7 and April 15, 2022. 

• 18 (48.6% of respondents) indicated they have not had specific issues or problems acquiring a building permit
• 19 (51.4% or respondents) indicated they have had specific issues or problems acquiring a building permit 

“Many survey respondents highlighted the time it takes to get a building permit,” says RDOS Manager of Building and Enforcement Services Mark Petry. “Building permit applications at the RDOS have increased exponentially over the past few years and time variations are dependent on factors such as the volume of applications, inspection requests, and staffing levels.” 

Other delays in the building permit process may be due to Planning Development Permits (watercourse and environmentally sensitive development permits) and incomplete applications requiring revised plans or additional information. RDOS staff work diligently to advance building permit requests in a timely manner, and provide applicants with information and guidance throughout the process. 

The current average time required to process building permit applications is four weeks. The RDOS is working to restore staffing to pre-pandemic levels to help address the issue, which includes the addition of a part-time plan checker to assist with permit processing. RDOS Development Services is also taking steps to improve communication and customer service, which were cited in the survey results as requiring attention. 

For further information, please visit the Permits & Licences tab at www.rdos.bc.ca and select Building Permits, or contact Mark Petry, RDOS Manager of Building and Enforcement Services. 

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Mark Pendergraft, Chair
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen 

Contacts: 

Mark Petry
RDOS Manager of Building and Enforcement Services
250-490-4126

RDOS Building Permit Process survey - Q6 What type of permit or service did you require