Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine

Prior to any new construction, home owners are required to complete our online application for a “Building Declaration and Siting Approvals Permit” and submit it to us for approval.

The “Building Declaration and Siting Approvals Permit”, commonly referred to as a “Building Permit” is an application process designed to ensure that your intended new construction will meet the building requirements in the zoning bylaws.

Service Fee: No Charge

Download the form first, fill it in and call us for further assistance.

Apply for a Building Declaration and Siting Approvals Permit.

The Regional District has the authority to designate Development Permit Areas (DPA). The purpose of having DPAs are protection of the natural environment and farmlands, considering hazardous site conditions such as steep slopes or quick clays, and ensuring that form and character of development follows relevant design guidelines. DPAs are generally identified in an Official Community Plan (OCP). Guidelines are specified within the OCP to address special conditions or objectives for proposed developments located in a DPA.

A Development Permit (DP) is an authorization to conduct certain work within a Development Permit Area.

The Local Government Act imposes Development Permit requirements in DPAs. A Development Permit must be obtained when any of the following types of development activity occur, in accordance with Section 489 of the Local Government Act:

Subdivision of land;
Construction, addition, or alteration of a building or other structure; or
Alteration of land.
A Development Permit must be applied for and issued prior to a Building Declaration and Siting Approvals Permit. All Development Permit applications undertaken in conjunction with a subdivision will be referred to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

A Development Variance Permit (DVP) is a statutory tool which may be used by local governments to vary a section of a bylaw as permitted by the Provincial Local Government Act. Occasionally circumstances arise where a property owner feels a specific regulation doesn’t work well on a particular site. A DVP application allows consideration of granting a permit that would ‘vary’ specific regulations for a given property.

Service Fee: $250

A Temporary Use Permit (TUP) is an approval by resolution from the RDKS Board for a temporary land use that does not conform to the applicable Zoning Bylaw. A TUP may be issued for up to a period of 3 years,  can set specific guidelines and conditions depending on the proposed use,  and it may be renewed only once for an additional period of 3 years by our Board.

A TUP may do one or more of the following:

• Allow a use not permitted by the Zoning Bylaw.
• Specify conditions under which the use may be carried on.
• Allow and regulate the construction of buildings or structures in respect of the use for which the permit is issued.

Contact the Planning department for further information.

Under our Development and Notification Procedures Bylaw No. 613, 2012 ancillary buildings constructed on property holding “Farm Class” status under the Assessment Act are exempt from requiring a Surveyor’s certificate as required under Schedule A1 of the Bylaw.

Only buildings designed for farm and agricultural storage or use are exempted under this application. Any building exempted under this application may not be used for human occupancy and though the construction is exempt of the requirement of a Surveyor’s Certificate, all setbacks, zoning and land use regulations still apply.

Only properties identified as having Farm Class Status under the Assessment Act may make application for a Building Survey Certificate Exemption.

Service Fee: No Charge

Apply for a Farm Building Exemption

You need a sign permit for most exterior signs that advertise a business or an event.

Signs that do not require a permit (while these signs do not require a permit, they still need to comply with all sign regulation bylaws):

Kitimat-Stikine Sign Regulation Bylaw No. 631:

Signs displayed by Local, Provincial or Federal governments for advising or directing the public.
Point of Interest sign with a sign area of 3.0 square meters or less.
Community Identification signs.
Real Estate sign with a sign area of 3.0 square meters or less.
Political sign that are part of a scheduled election or referendum.

Thornhill Sign Regulation Bylaw No. 632:

Signs displayed by Local, Provincial or Federal governments for advising or directing the public.
Point of Interest signs with a sign area of 3.0 square meters or less.
Real Estate signs with a sign area of 3.0 square meters or less.
Political signs that are part of a scheduled election or referendum.
The Following Signs are Prohibited:

Kitimat-Stikine Sign Regulation Bylaw No. 631:

Rooftop signs
Animated or flashing signs
Portable signs with a sign area greater than 3.0 square meters
Converted vehicle signs
Changeable copy electronic signs.
Wall signs with a sign area greater than 3.0 square meters

Thornhill Sign Regulation Bylaw No. 632:

Rooftop signs
Animated or flashing signs
Portable signs with a sign area greater than 3.0 square meters
Converted Vehicle signs

Process:

Review the sign bylaw to ensure the size, type, and location of the sign you want is permitted, bylaws can be found in the "Related Documents" section of this page. If you're not sure, ask the Planning Department for help.

Complete the application form, and submit it, along with:

• an illustration or graphic of the sign content
• a picture of the front of your business, identifying where you would like to place the sign
• A site sketch showing the following: sign dimensions, distance to property lines, height, and construction design.

Service Fee: No Charge

Apply for a Sign Permit