Development Permits are required for:

• New construction of, or exterior alterations (including colour changes) to:
  • Commercial, mixed-use, and industrial buildings
  • Residential, if the lot is proposed to contain 5 or more dwelling units
• Signage, murals, and awnings
• Laneway houses greater than 5 metres in height

For properties within the Baker Street Heritage Conservation Area, a Heritage Alteration Permit is also required, but only one application is required.

Development Permit Areas and Heritage Conservation Areas

Nelson's five Development Permit Areas are designated by the 2025 Official Community Plan:

• Development Permit Area 1: Multi-Unit Residential, Commercial, and Industrial
  Covers the entirety of the city.
  Its primary objective is to ensure consistent high-quality development standards that are compatible with a building’s surroundings, the design intents enumerated in the design guidelines, and the character and values of the community as elaborated in this OCP, as well as to provide the community with a development tool that will aid in the reduction of greenhouse gases, conserve water, and energy resources.
  New Part 3 buildings must submit a Whole-Building Life Cycle Assessment as part of their application package. Click here to find out more.
• Development Permit Area 2: Riparian Area
  Concerns properties along the lake, creeks, and other bodies of water.
  Its purpose is to protect riparian areas by regulating development activities near: watercourses, Kootenay Lake, wetlands and their adjacent lands so as to protect aquatic habitat; and to conserve, enhance and, where necessary restore watercourses and their riparian areas. It also has a secondary purpose, which is to protect development from any potentially hazardous conditions, notably flood risk, related to the proximity of the development to water.
• Development Permit Area 3: Wildfire Interface Zone
  Concerns properties along the city limits adjacent to the forest.
  Its purpose is to minimize the risk to life and property, both on the subject properties and the entire community, by establishing guidelines and requirements to minimize fire spread risk on properties included in the Wildfire Interface Zone.
• Development Permit Area 4: Laneway Houses
  Covers all of the city.
  Its purpose is to ensure consistent high-quality development standards for the development of laneway houses exceeding one storey in height, which is considered a form of intensive residential development by virtue of adding a second, multi-storey detached residential building on a lot typically in exceptionally close proximity to neighbouring lots due to relaxed setback requirements. The permit area is also designed to provide the community with a development tool that will aid in the implementation of the City’s sustainable development goals.
• Development Permit Area 5: Flood Hazard Area
  Concerns areas identified at-risk for flooding.
  Its purpose is to reduce risk to life and property. Preventing or regulating development on high-risk lands also serves to protect the environment, as flood-induced damage to buildings can lead to significant repercussions on ecosystems, such as through the release of toxic materials.

Additionally, all lots with frontage along Baker Street are part of the Baker Street Heritage Conservation Area. Click here to read our handout on the Heritage Conservation Area.

Full information on each permit area can be found in the 2025 City of Nelson Official Community Plan.

Design Guidelines

The City of Nelson's Official Community Plan (OCP) contains design guidelines for each Development Permit Area and Heritage Conservation Area to assist in the task of explaining and regulating the visual quality of building design and site considerations within these permit areas (for example, natural hazard risk mitigation). It is recommended that you consult these guidelines prior to commencing design plans. They are contained in Schedule J of the OCP.

Landscaping, driveway access, and parking requirements are located in the Off-Street Parking and Landscape Bylaw (PDF).

More Information

For more information about when a Development Permit is required and how to apply for one, please see this information sheet Highlights - Development Permits (PDF).

Development Permit and Heritage Alteration Permit Applications

Please fill out a Development Application Form (PDF) and submit with the appropriate fee and Owners Representative Form (PDF) (as needed), to the Department of Development Services, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or by appointment, Monday through Friday. Applications may also be submitted in PDF format by email to Development Services.

For signage, façade changes, awnings and murals, click here.

The application process is governed by the Development Application Procedures Bylaw. Development Permit applications can be subject to requests for Development Approval Information as per the bylaw.

Electrical Servicing Requirements

Applicants must contact Nelson Hydro at 250-352-8240 for electrical servicing requirements.

Review by Design Consultants

Some Development Permit or Heritage Alternation Permit applications, such as facade changes to heritage buildings or within the City's downtown core may be referred by staff to an external design consultant for review. Please contact City Staff for additional information.