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DISTRICT OF HOUSTON
BYLAW NO. 906, 2005
A BYLAW OF THE DISTRICTOF HOUSTON FOR THE ADMINISTRATION
OF THE REGULATIONSOF THE BRITISHCOLUMBIA BUILDINGCODE
ANDTHE BRITISH COLUMBIAPLUMBINGCODE.
WHEREAS the Council of the District of Houston is empowered
by the Community Charter, to
prescribe conditions generally governing the issue and validity of permits and the inspection of
works, buildings and structures, and to regulate the construction, repair, alteration, demolition and
moving of buildings and structures, in addition to other powers set out inthat section;
NOW, THEREFORE the Municipal Council of the District of Houston, in open meeting assembled,
HEREBY ENACTS the following:
DEFINITIONS
1.0
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
In this Bylaw:
The following words and terms have the meanings
set out in Section
1.1.3.2 of the
British Columbia Building Code 1998: assembly
occupancy,
building, building area,
building
height,
business
and
personal
services
occupancy,
care
or detention
occupancy,
constructor,
coordinating
registered
professional,
designer,
field
review,
high
hazard
industrial
occupancy,
industrial
occupancy,
low
hazard
industrial
occupancy,
major occupancy,
mercantile
occupancy,
medium
hazard
industrial occupancy,
occupancy,
owner,
registered
professional,
and residential
occupancy.
Building Code means the British Columbia Building Code 1998 adopted by the Minister
pursuant to Community Charter, as amended or re-enacted
from time to time.
Building Official includes Building Inspectors, Plan Checkers and Plumbing Inspectors
employed, appointed or contracted
by the District of Houston in these capacities.
District means the Corporation of the District of Houston as a corporate
body or the
geographical area within its boundaries, as the context requires.
Complex
Building means:
a)
all buildings
used for major occupancies
classified as:
i)
assembly
occupancies,
ii)
care or detention
occupancies,
iii)
high hazard industrial
occupancies,
and
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Bylaw No. 906, 2005
"
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
1.10
1.11
1.12
Health and safety
aspects
of the work means design and construction regulated
by
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 6, Part 7, and Sections 9.4, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 9.10, 9.13,
9.14, 9.15, 9.17, 9.18, 9.19, 9.20, 9.21, 9.22, 9.23, 9.24, 9.25, 9.31, 9.32, 9.34, 9.35, and
9.36 of Part 9 of the Building Code.
Permit means a permit required by or issued under this Bylaw.
Standard
building means a building of three storeys or less in building height, having
a building
area
not exceeding
600 square
metres
and used for major occupancies
classified as:
a)
residential
occupancies,
b)
business
and personal
services
occupancies,
c)
mercantile
occupancies,
or
d)
medium and low hazard industrial
occupancies.
Stop Work Notice means a Notice in writing requiring the immediate suspension
of all
construction, alteration, reconstruction or other work in respect of all or part of the building
or structure to which the said Notice is attached.
Structure
means
a construction
or portion thereof
of any kind, whether
fixed to,
supported
by or sunk into land or water, but specifically excludes landscaping, fences,
paving and retaining structures not supporting an occupancy.
Survey
certificate
means a survey plan prepared
by a B.C. Land Surveyor indicating
the location of the foundations of buildings
and structures
in relation to the property
lines.
Value means the fair market value of all material and labour costs from grubbing and site
preparation
stage
up to and including landscaping and construction completion stage.
Value
does
not include material costs only of processing machinery but includes their
structural mountings and supports as well as all crane ways and hoists.
PURPOSE OF BYLAW
2.0
2.1
Despite any other provision herein, this Bylaw shall be interpreted in accordance
with
this section.
This Bylaw has been
enacted
for the purpose
of regulating
construction
within the
District of Houston in the general
public interest. The activities undertaken
by or on
behalf of the District of Houston pursuant
to this Bylaw are for the sole purpose
of
providing a limited and interim spot-checking function for reason of health, safety and the
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c)
to providing any person a warranty of design or workmanship with respect
to any building
or structure
for which a building permit or occupancy
permit is issued under this Bylaw;
d)
to
providing a
warranty
or assurance
that
construction
undertaken
pursuant to building permits issued by the District of Houston is free from
latent, or any defects;
e)
to providing to any person a warranty that construction is in compliance
with the Building Code, this bylaw or any other enactment with respect
to a building
or structure
for which a building
permit or occupancy
permit is issued under this bylaw.
PERMIT CONDITIONS
3.0
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
A permit is required whenever work regulated under this Bylaw is to be undertaken.
Neither the issuance of a permit under this Bylaw nor the acceptance
or review of plans,
drawings or supporting documents,
nor any inspections
made
by or on behalf of the
District of Houston shall in any way relieve the owner or his or her representatives
from
full and sole responsibility to perform the work in strict accordance
with this Bylaw, the
Building Code and or other applicable enactments respecting safety.
It shall be the full and sole responsibility of the owner (and where the owner is acting
through a representative,
the representative)
to carry out the work in respect of which
the permit was issued in compliance
with the Building
Code and this Bylaw or other
applicable enactments
respecting safety.
Neither the issuance of a permit under this Bylaw nor the acceptance
or review of plans,
drawings or specifications or supporting documents, nor any inspections made by or on
behalf of the District of Houston
constitute
in any way a representation,
warranty,
assurance
or statement
that the
Building
Code,
this
Bylaw or other
applicable
enactments
respecting safety have been complied with.
No person
shall rely upon any permit as establishing compliance
with this Bylaw or
assume
or conclude that this Bylaw has been administered
or enforced according to its
terms. The person to whom the building permit is issued and his or her representatives
are responsible
for making such determination.
Any owner of property for which a Permit is issued shall be responsible
for the cost of
repair of any damage
to municipal works or property that occurs as a result of work
performed underthe Permit.
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Bylaw No. 906, 2005
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4.1
This Bylaw does
not apply to buildings
or structures
exempted
by Part 1 of the
Building Code except as expressly provided herein, nor to retaining structures
that are
part of a building or structure that does not support an occupancy, nor to minor repairs or
alterations
which do not alter
or affect a structural
component
of the
building
or
structure.
PROHIBITIONS
5.0
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
No person
shall commence or continue any construction,
alteration,
reconstruction,
demolition, removal, relocation or change the occupancy
of any building
or structure,
including excavation or other work related to construction unless a Building Official has
issued a valid and subsisting permit for the work.
No person shall occupy or use any building or structure
unless a valid and subsisting
occupancy permit has been issued by a Building Official for the building or structure,
or contrary to the terms of any permit issued or any notice given by a Building Official.
No person shall knowingly submit false or misleading information to a Building Official
in relation to any permit application or construction undertaken
pursuant to this Bylaw.
No person
shall, unless
authorized
in writing by a Building
Official,
reverse,
alter,
deface, cover, remove or in any way tamper with any notice, permit or certificate posted
upon or affixed to a building or structure
pursuant to this Bylaw.
No person shall do any work that is substantially at variance with the accepted design or
plans of a building, structure
or other works for which a permit has been issued, unless
that variance has been accepted
in writing by a Building Official.
No person
shall obstruct the entry of a Building Official or other authorized official of
the District of Houston on property in the administration of this Bylaw.
No person shall connect rainwater leaders, drains or surface runoff to a building sewer
or building drain leading to the sanitary drainage system.
BUILDING OFFICIALS
6.0
A Building Official may
a)
administer this Bylaw;
b)
keep records of permit applications,
permits, notices and orders issued,
inspections
and tests
made,
and shall retain copies of all documents
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6.1
A Building Official
a)
may enter any land, building,
structure,
or premises
at any reasonable
time for the purpose of ascertaining that the terms of this Bylaw are being
observed;
b)
where any residence is occupied, shall obtain the consent of the occupant
or provide written notice to the occupant 24 hours In advance of entry;
0)
shall carry proper credentials
confirming his or her status as a Building
Official.
6.2
A Building Of?cial may order the correction of any work that is being or has been done
in contravention
of this Bylaw.
APPLICATIONS
7.0
Unless exempted under Section 4.1 of this bylaw, a person shall apply for and obtain a
valid permit from the District under the following circumstances and comply with the
following requirements and conditions, where applicable:
a)
before constructing, repairing or altering a building or Structure;
b)
for the development or redevelopment of Parking Facilities;
c)
for the installation of a permanent swimming pool;
d)
for any work for which a building permit was issued where that permit has
subsequently lapsed.
7.1
Prior to commencing any plumbing work; a person must obtain a Plumbing Permit and:
a)
(if not already done)
arrange
for connection
to District water,
sanitary
sewer and storm sewer services, where services are available;
b)
arrange the plumbing to suit the location of the connection
provided for
the lot by the District; and
c)
where District sanitary sewer connection is not available to the property,
install a sewage disposal system acceptable to the Health Act Regulations.
7.2
An owner
must deliver to the Building Of?cial records of the results of any tests
of
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Bylaw No. 906, 2005
*
b)
The owner or the owner's duly authorized agent is responsible for
i)
complying with the requirements
of this Bylaw regulating building,
plumbing and demolitionof works and services;
ii)
complyingwith the requirements of any other Bylawof the District;
iii)
complying with the requirements
of all other regulating bodies; and
iv)
ensuring the building or structure is certified structurally sound, for
moving purposes,
by a
practising
engineer
registered
in the
Province of BritishColumbia.
7.4
An owner,
before demolishing a building
or structure
including underground piping,
foundations and tanks, whether it is to be done on the applicant's own initiative, required by
Bylaw or required by regulation, must obtain a demolition permit, and the owner or the
owner's
duly authorized
agent
and the owner's Contractor shall abide by the following
requirements:
a)
arrange for the District to disconnect and cap water and sewer service
lines to the property, prior to demolition;
b)
arrange
disconnection
of all power, telephone
and gas
lines, prior to
demolition;
c)
obtain from the Districtany additional permits required for street closures,
and notifyall regulating bodies, prior to demolition;
d)
protect, as per Building Code Requirements
(Part 8 "Safety Measures at
Construction and Demolition Sites") all public sidewalks, thoroughfares and
streets, prior to demolition;
e)
remove all demolition materials and foundations from the site, filland level
all excavations, and leave the site in a tidy manner;
f)
damages
to utilities, adjoining properties and all liabilities during demolition
are the responsibility of the Owner (or his duly authorized agent) and the
Contractor;
g)
ensure compliance with Heritage Bylaw(s), where applicable; and
h)
complete all the above items fully within Ninety (90) Days of the date of
issuance of the DemolitionPermit.
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Bylaw No. 906, 2005
APPLICATIONS FOR COMPLEX BUILDINGS
8.0
8.1
An application for a building permit with respect to a complex
building shall:
a)
be submitted to the Building Official in the form provided by the District
and
signed
by the
owner,
or a signing
officer if the
owner
is a
corporation,
and the coordinating
registered
professional;
be accompanied
by the owner's
acknowledgment
of responsibility and
undertakings made in the form provided
by the District, signed by the
owner, or a signing officer ifthe owner is a corporation;
be accompanied
by a site plan prepared
by a British Columbia Land
Surveyor, or by a Registered Professional showing:
i)
the
bearing
and
dimensions
of the
parcel
taken
from
the
registered subdivision plan;
ii)
the legal description and civic address of the parcel;
iii)
the
location
and
dimensions
of all statutory
rights
of way,
easements
and setback requirements;
iv)
the
location
and
dimensions
of
all
existing
and
proposed
buildings
or structures
on the parcel;
v)
setbacks
to the natural boundary of any lake, swamp,
pond or
watercourse where the District of Houston's land use regulations
establish siting requirements related to flooding;
vi)
the existing and finished ground levels to an established datum at
or adjacent to the site and the geodetic elevation of the underside
of the floor system of a building or structure
where the District of
Houston's
land
use
regulations
establish
siting
requirements
related to minimum floor elevation;
vii)
the
location, dimension
and gradient
of parking and
driveway
access.
The Owner must:
a)
submit a survey certificate for all buildings or structures
erected within the
District immediately upon completion of the foundation wall of the
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Bylaw No. 906, 2005
"
v)
floor, wall, and ceiling finishes;
vi)
plumbing fixtures;
vii)
structural elements;
viii)
and stair dimensions;
ix)
a cross
section
through the building
or structure
illustrating
foundations, drainage, ceiling heights and construction systems;
x)
elevations of all sides of the building or structure
showing finish,
roof slopes, windows, doors, ?nished grade and required details;
xi)
cross--sectional details
drawn
at
an
appropriate
scale
and
at
sufficient locations
to illustrate that the building
or structure
substantially conforms to the Building Code; and
xii)
mechanical information.
o)
submit copies of approvals, including, without limitation, sewage disposal
permits, highway access permits and Ministryof Health approval.
d)
submit a letter of assurance
in the form of the Schedule A contained in Part
2, and referred to in Section 2.6 of Part 2 of the Building Code, signed by
the owner, or a signing officer of the owner if the owner is a corporation,
and the coordinating
registered
professional.
e)
submit letters of assurance
in the form of the Schedules
B-1 and
B-2
contained in Part 2, and referred to in Section 2.6 of Part 2 of the Building
Code,
each signed by such registered
professionals
as the Building
Official or Building Code may be required to prepare the design
for and
conduct field reviews of the construction of the building or structure.
f)
submit two sets of drawings at a suitable scale of the design prepared
by
each
registered
professional
and including the information set out in
Sections 8.1(b) of this Bylaw.
8.2
The Building Official may waive the requirements
for a site plan in whole or in part,
where
the
permit
is sought for the
repair
or alteration
of an existing building
or
structure.
8.3
In addition to the requirements
of Sections 8.0 and 8.2 of this Bylaw, the following may
be required by a Building Official to be submitted with a building permit application for
Building Regulations
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Bylaw No. 906, 2005
c)
any other information required by the Building Official or the Building
Code to establish substantial compliance
with this Bylaw, the Building
Code
and
other
Bylaws and enactments
relating to the building
or
structure.
APPLICATIONS FOR STANDARD BUILDINGS
9.0
An application for a building permit with respect to a standard
building shall:
a)
be made in the form provided by the District, and signed by the owner or
a signing officer ifthe owner is a corporation;
b)
be accompanied
by the owner's
acknowledgment
of responsibility and
undertakings
made in the form provided by the District, signed by the
owner, or a signing officer ifthe owner is a corporation;
0)
be accompanied
by a site plan, and where, in the opinion of the Building
Official, siting regulations
may be contravened,
the site plan must be
prepared
by
a
British
Columbia
Land
Surveyor
or
registered
professional,
showing
i)
the
bearing
and
dimensions
of the
parcel
taken
from
the
registered subdivision plan;
ii)
the legal description and civic address of the parcel;
iii)
the
location
and
dimensions
of all statutory
rights
of way,
easements
and setback requirements;
iv)
the
location
and
dimensions
of
all
existing
and
proposed
buildings or structures
on the parcel as required;
v)
setbacks
to the natural boundary of any lake, swamp,
pond or
watercourse where the District of Houston's
land use regulations
establish siting requirements related to flooding;
vi)
the existing and finished ground levels to an established
datum at
or adjacent
to the site and the geodetic elevation of the underside
of the floor system of a building or structure
where the District of
Houston's
land
use
regulations
establish
siting
requirements
related to minimum floor elevation; and
Building Regulations
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Bylaw No. 906, 2005
_
9.2
Inaddition to the requirements
of Section 9.0, the Owner must:
a)
provide a survey certificate
for all buildings
or structures
erected within
the District immediately upon completion of the foundation wall of the
building or structure, when required by the Building Official;
b)
ensure
sufficient information is shown on building
plans to determine
compliance with this Bylaw, such as
i)
floor plans showing the dimensions and uses of all areas;
ii)
the dimensions and height of crawl and roof spaces;
iii)
the location, size and swing of doors;
iv)
the location, size and opening of windows;
v)
floor, wall, and ceiling finishes;
vi)
plumbing fixtures;
vii)
structural elements;
viii)
stair dimensions;
ix)
a cross
section
through the building
or structure
illustrating
foundations, drainage, ceiling heights and construction systems;
x)
elevations of all sides of the building
or structure
showing finish
details, roof slopes, windows, doors, and ?nished grade;
xi)
cross-sectional
details
drawn
at an appropriate
scale
and
at
sufficient locations
to illustrate that the building
or structure
substantially conforms to the Building Code;
xii)
Mechanical systems
information such as the location and size of
every drain and of every trap or inspection piece that is on a drain;
and
xiii)
show in cross--sectionthe size and location of every soil or waste
pipe, trap and vent pipe.
0)
ensure that the plans and specifications
contain complete
design
and
calculation criteria, and contain the name and address of the designer;
Building Regulations
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Bylaw No. 906, 2005
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f)
submit two sets of drawings at a suitable scale of the design containing
sufficient information on building plans to determine compliance
with this
Bylaw, such as the information set out in Section 9.0.c) of this Bylaw, if
applicable;
9)
state on the application, the intended use or uses and the value of the
building or structure.
9.3
The
requirements
of Section
9.2
(e) may
be waived
by a Building
Official
in
circumstances
where the Building Official has required a professional
engineer's
report
pursuant
to Division 8 of the Community Charter and the building permit is issued in
accordance
with Sections 699 (5) and (6) of the Local Government Act.
9.4
The
requirements
of Section
9.2
(e)
may
be waived
by a Building
Official
if
documentation,
prepared and sealed by a registered
professional,
is provided assuring
that the foundation design substantially
complies
with Section
9.4 of Part 9 of the
Building
Code and the foundation excavation substantially complies with Section 9.12
of Part 9 of the Building Code.
9.5
The requirements
of Section 9.2 (e) may be waived for the construction of a detached
one family dwelling, a two family dwelling or an accessory
building where the owner
signs an undertaking in the form provided by the District acknowledging the owner's
responsibility for the design and construction of the foundation and the condition of the
supporting soils of the building to which the waiver applies.
9.6
ln addition to the requirements
of Sections 9.0 and 9.2, the following may be required by
a Building Official to be submitted with a building permit application for the construction
of a standard
building where the project involves two or more buildings, which in the
aggregate
total more than 1000 square metres, or two or more buildings that willcontain
four or more
dwelling units, or othenNise
where
the
complexity of the
proposed
building
or structure
or siting circumstances
warrant:
a)
site servicing drawings, including sufficient detail of off-site services
to
indicate
locations
at
the
property
line, prepared
and
sealed
by a
registered
professional,
in accordance
with the District of Houston
subdivision and development
Bylaw;
b)
a
section
through
the
site
showing
grades,
buildings,
structures,
parking areas and driveways;
c)
a roof plan and roof height calculations;
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Bylaw No. 906, 2005
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PROFESSIONAL
PLAN CERTIFICATION
10.0
The letters of assurance in the form of the Schedules
B-1 and B-2 contained in Part 2
and referred in Section 2.6 of Part 2 of the Building Code and provided pursuant
to
Sections 8.1, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 14.0 and 14.1 of this Bylaw are relied upon by the District
of Houston and its Building Officials as certification that the design and plans to which
the letters of assurance
relate substantially comply with the Building Code and other
applicable enactments
relating to safety.
10.1
A building permit issued for the construction of a complex
building,
or for a standard
building for which a Building Official required professional
design pursuant to Section
8.1 (d) and letters of assurance
pursuant to Section 8.1 (e) of this Bylaw shall include a
notice to the owner that the building permit is issued in reliance upon the certification of
the registered
professionals
that the design and plans submitted
in support of the
application for the building permit comply with the Building Code and other applicable
enactments
relating to safety.
10.2
When a building permit is issued in accordance
with Section 10.1 of this Bylaw the plan
review fee shall be reduced by 50% of the fees payable pursuant
to Schedule
"A".
FEES AND CHARGES
11.0
In addition to any fees and charges
payable under other Bylaws, the applicable permit
fee prescribed
by and calculated in accordance
with Schedule
"A" to this Bylaw, shall
be paid in full prior to the issuance of a permit under this Bylaw.
11.1
The non-refundable application fee prescribed
in Schedule
"A" shall accompany
an
application for a building permit made under this Bylaw.
11.2
An application shall be cancelled and the application fee forfeited if the building permit
was not issued and the permit fee was not paid within 180 days of the date of written
notification to the owner that the permit is ready to be issued.
11.3
When an application is cancelled, the plans and related documents
submitted with the
application may be destroyed.
11.4
The owner may obtain a refund of the permit fees paid as prescribed
in Schedule
"A"
to this Bylaw when
a permit is surrendered
and cancelled
before
any construction
begins, provided
a)
the refund shall not include the application fee and plan review fee paid
pursuant to Section 11 (Fees and Charges) of this Bylaw; and
Building Regulations
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Bylaw No. 906, 2005
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11.6
For a required permit inspection requested
to be done after the hours during which the
offices of the District of Houston are normally open, an inspection charge shall be
payable based
on the time actually spent in making such
inspection,
including travel
time, prescribed
in Schedule
"A" to this Bylaw.
11.7
The administration fee prescribed
in Schedule
"A" to this bylaw will be returned if the
work is completed for which the permit has been issued and the owner receives a final
inspection report, occupancy permit, or renewal permit prior to the permit lapsing.
BUILDING PERMITS
12.0
When:
a)
b)
a completed application
including all required supporting documentation
has been submitted;
the proposed
work set out in the application substantially conforms with
the Building Code, this Bylaw and all other applicable District of Houston
Bylaws and enactments;
the owner or his or her representative
has paid to the District
i)
ii)
V)
all applicable fees required by Section 11.0 of this Bylaw;
the administration fee prescribed in Schedule
"A" for the filing of
a notice on title or for the closing of an incomplete file should the
permit lapse prior to the work being completed;
the off-street paving deposit
prescribed
in Schedule
"A" where
surfacing off-street parking is required by Zoning Bylaw No. 750,
1998, as amended, and submitted a signed
"Paving Agreement" in
the form provided by the District, the return of the deposit being
conditional on the work being completed;
the
landscaping
deposit
prescribed
in Schedule
"A"
where
landscaping
is required
by Zoning Bylaw No. 750,
1998, as
amended,
the return of the deposit being conditional on the work
being completed;
all fees and charges are met and all requirements
imposed by any
other District of Houston enactment
or Bylaw; and
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Bylaw No. 906, 2005
m
12.3
12.4
12.5
Every permit is issued upon the condition that the permit shall expire two (2) years from
date of issue and the rights of the owner under the permit shall terminate if
a)
the work authorized by the permit is not commenced
within six (6) months
from the date of issuance of the permit, or
b)
work is discontinued for a period of six (6) months.
A Building Official may issue a building permit for a portion of a building or structure
before the design,
plans and specifications for the entire building
or structure
have
been
accepted,
provided sufficient information has
been
provided
to the District of
Houston
to demonstrate
to the
Building
Of?cial
that the portion authorized
to be
constructed
substantially complies with this and other applicable Bylaws and the permit
fee applicable
to that portion of the building or structure
has been paid. Despite the
issuance
of the permit, the requirements
of this Bylaw apply to the remainder of the
building
or structure
as if the permit for the portion of the building or structure
had
not been issued.
When a site has been excavated
and a building permit is not subsequently issued or a
subsisting building permit has expired in accordance
with the requirements
of Section
12.3 of this Bylaw, but without the construction of the building or structure
for which the
building permit was issued having commenced,
the owner shall fillin the excavation to
restore the original gradients of the site within thirty (30) days of being served notice by
the District of Houston to do so.
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION
13.0
Neither the issuance
of a permit under this Bylaw, the review and acceptance
of the
design, drawings, plans or specifications,
nor inspections
made by a Building Official,
shall constitute
a representation
or warranty that the Building Code or this Bylaw have
been complied with or the building
or structure
meets
any standard
of materials or
workmanship, and no person shall rely on any of those acts as establishing compliance
with the Building Code or this Bylaw or any standard of construction.
PROFESSIONAL DESIGN AND FIELD REVIEW
14.0
When a Building
Official
considers
it is warranted
by the site conditions,
size or
complexity of a development
or an aspect of a development,
he or she may require that
a registered
professional
provides certification that the design conforms to the Building
Code by means of letters of assurance
in the form of Schedules
3-1, 3-2 and
C-B
referred to in Section 2.6 of Part 2 of the Building Code.
Building Regulations
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Bylaw No. 906, 2005
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INSPECTIONS
15.0
15.1
15.2
15.3
When a registered
professional
provides
letters of assurance
in accordance
with
Sections 8.1, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 14.0 or 14.1 of this Bylaw, the District of Houston willrely
solely on field reviews
undertaken
by the registered
professional
and the letters of
assurance
submitted
pursuant
to Section
14.1 of this Bylaw as assurance
that the
construction substantially
conforms
to
the
design
and
that
the
construction
substantially
complies
with the
Building
Code,
this
Bylaw and
other
applicable
enactments respecting safety.
Notwithstanding Section 15.0 of this Bylaw, a Building Official may attend the site from
time to time during the course of construction
to ascertain
that the field reviews
are
taking
place
and
to
monitor
the
field
reviews
undertaken
by the
registered
professionals.
A Building Official may attend periodically at the site of the construction
of standard
buildings
or structures
to ascertain
whether certain health
and safety
aspects
of the
work are being carried out in substantial
conformance
with the those portions of the
Building Code, this Bylaw and any other applicable enactment
concerning safety.
The owner or his or her representative
shall give at least twenty-four (24) hours notice to
the District of Houston when requesting an inspection and shall obtain an inspection and
receive a Building Official's
acceptance
of the following aspects
of the work prior to
concealing it, except as provided in 15.3 (g) and 15.5,
a)
installation of perimeter drain tiles and clamp proofing, prior to backfilling;
b)
the preparation
of underground plumbing, when required, prior to placing
of a concrete slab;
c)
rough in of factory built chimneys and fireplaces
and solid fuel burning
appliances;
d)
the framing and sheathing;
e)
insulation and vapor barrier;
f)
when the building or structure
is substantially
complete
and ready for
occupancy,
but before occupancy
takes
place of the whole or part of
the building or structure;
9)
prior to placing any concrete for the footings or foundations, the owner or
Building Regulations
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Bylaw No. 906, 2005
_
OCCUPANCY PERMITS
16.0
16.1
16.2
No person shall occupy or change the class of occupancy
of a building or structure
or
part of a building
or structure
until the Building
Of?cial
has issued an occupancy
permit.
An occupancy permit shall not be issued unless:
a)
all letters of assurance have been submitted when required in accordance
with Sections 8.1, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 14.0 and 14.1 of this Bylaw; and
b)
all aspects
of the work requiring inspection and acceptance
pursuant
to
Section 15.3 of this Bylaw have both been inspected
and accepted or the
inspections and acceptance
are not required in accordance
with Section
15.5 of this Bylaw.
A Building Official may issue a Provisional Occupancy
Permit for part of a building or
structure
when the part of the building
or structure
is self-contained, provided with
essential services and the requirements
set out in Section 16.1 of this Bylaw have been
met with respect to it.
CLIMATIC DATA
17.0
Buildings must be designed in accordance with the climatic data provided by the Building
Of?cial.
PENALTIES AND ENFORCEMENT
18.0
18.1
18.2
A person who violates a provision of this Bylaw commits an offence, is punishable
in
accordance
with the Offence Act and on conviction is liable to a minimum fine of one
hundred dollars ($100.00) and to the maximum penalties prescribed
by law.
Each day that a violation of this bylaw is continued or caused
or allowed to continue
constitutes a separate
offence.
For the purposes of Subsection 5.0, the owner is deemed to have knowledge of and be
liable under this Bylaw for:
a)
any construction,
gas work or plumbing; and
b)
any change in the use, occupancy
or both of the owner's
building or
structure.
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Bylaw No. 906, 2005
"
18.5
The owner
of property on which a Stop Work notice has been posted,
and every other
person
performing work on that property, shall cease
all construction
work immediately
and shall not do any work until all applicable
provisions
of this Bylaw have
been
substantially complied with and the Stop Work notice has been rescinded in writing by a
Building Official.
18.6
if a person
occupies
a building
or structure
or part of a building
or structure
in
contravention
of Section 5.1 of this Bylaw, a Building
Official
may post a Do Not
Occupy notice on the affected part of the building or structure.
18.7
The owner
of property on which a Do Not Occupy notice has been posted,
and every
person
occupying that property, shall cease
occupancy
of the building
or structure
immediately and shall refrain from further occupancy
until all applicable
provisions of
the Building Code and this Bylaw have been substantially complied with and the Do Not
Occupy notice has been rescinded or removed by a Building Official.
18.8
A person who commences work requiring a permit without first obtaining such a permit
shall, if a Stop Work notice is issued and remains outstanding for thirty (30) days, pay an
additional administrative charge
equal
to twenty-five
percent
(25%) of the applicable
permit fee prior to obtaining the required permit.
SEVERABILITY
19.0
The provisions of this Bylaw are severable
and the invalidity of any part of this Bylaw
shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Bylaw.
SCHEDULES
20.0
Schedules
to this bylaw shall be established
by resolution of Council and are enforceable
in the same manner as this Bylaw.
REPEALEDBYLAWS
21.0
District of Houston BuildingBylaw No. 502, 1989 and all amendments to itare repealed.
BYLAWTITLE
22.0
This Bylaw may be cited, for all purposes, as "District of Houston
Building Regulations
Bylaw No. 906, 2005".
READ a first time this
21St day of December, 2004.
READ a second time this 215' day of December, 2004.
Building Regulations
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Bylaw No. 906, 2005
"
District of Houston
Building Regulations
Bylaw No. 906, 2005
Schedule
"A"
- Page 1 of 2
-
E
1.
To erect, alter, repair or place a building or structure the fee shall be:
Commencing January 1, 2005
- $6.00 per $1,000.00 or part thereof of the estimated value.
Commencing January 1, 2006
-
$7.00 per $1,000.00 or part thereof of the estimated value.
In addition:
A plan review fee of $1.00 per $1 ,000.00 of value willalso be charged.
A non--refundableapplication fee of:
a)
$30.00 for any project with a value under $10,000.00;
b)
$50.00 for any project with a value of $10,000.00
and over; and
c)
Double the
permit fee,
up to a maximum
of $250.00
for any
work
undertaken on a project without a valid permit or approval;
shall be submitted with every application for a permit under this Bylaw
2.
Estimated
value
shall be established
by the
Building inspector
interpreting the following
guidelines:
(3)
Industrial
and Commercial (use building area)
(i)
Frame construction, unfinished, concrete floor
$36.00/ft2
(ii)
Frame construction, unfinished, no partitions
$42.00/ft2
(iii)
Frame construction, ?nished, with partitions
$78.00/ft2
(iv)
Masonry construction, unfinished, concrete floors
$42.00/ft2
(v)
Masonry construction, finished, no partitions
$47.00ft2
(vi)
Masonry construction, finished, with partitions
$84.00/ft2
(b)
Residential
(i)
Single or multi--familyframe construction (use aggregate
finished ?oor area):
Slab on grade/crawl space
$80.00/ft2
A" second floors
$50.00/ft2
Unfinished basement area
$10.00/ft2
Building Regulations
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Bylaw No. 906, 2005
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District of Houston
Building Regulations
Bylaw No. 906, 2005
Schedule
"A"
- Page 2 of 2
-
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3.
Administration
Fee:
$350.00 for all projects where the construction value exceeds
$10,000.00.
4.
Signs:
To erect, alter, or place a:
(a)
free-standing
sign
$100.00
(b)
home based business sign
$ 25.00
(c)
all other signs
$ 75.00
5.
Plumbing:
To install, alter, or repair any plumbing works, the fee shall be $6.00 per fixture.
6.
Sprinklers:
$6.00 for the first twenty-five (25) sprinkler heads plus $2.00 for each additional
sprinkler head thereafter.
7.
Demolition:
To demolish a building or structure, the fee shall be $50.00.
8.
Moving:
To move a building or structure, the fee shall be $100.00
9.
Re-inspection:
For the inspection of rejected work, the fee shall be $75.00.
101.
Paving Deposits:
$1 .25/ft2for required paving.
11.
Landscaping
Deposits:
An amount
equal to an acceptable
quote for the required works
from a qualified landscape contractor,
acceptable
to the District of Houston