Building Code Compliance:
The most important concept in constructing safe buildings is the understanding that Code Compliance is a shared responsibility.
- The provincial government adopts codes and standards and administers legislative framework.
- Municipalities are obligated to administer, regulate, and enforce provincial codes and standards which is achieved through local building bylaws.
- Licensed Building Officials work on behalf of municipalities to fulfill this obligation.
- Contractors, builders, designers, and material suppliers work with owners and on the behalf of owners to assure code compliance and deliver safe buildings.
- But ultimately, building bylaw or not, building officials or not, building permits or not, the owner is responsible for compliance with codes and standards set out by the government. Permit or not, building inspector or not, compliance is required.
The National Building Code is a set of MINIMUM design and construction standards. If you can’t comply with the minimum standards, what standards are you meeting?
Building Permit Misconception:
“We aren’t doing any structural changes, so we don’t need a building permit”…
This is a very common misconception heard all the time. Structural adequacy is one of many objectives of the code. Life Safety, Fire protection, Health, Barrier-free Accessibility, and Energy Efficiency are the others, and they all need to be considered and reviewed when the use of a building changes.
Examples:
Basement Development:
Typically, there are no structural impacts when converting an unfinished basement into rooms and spaces. Permits are required to regulate the installation of insulating and air-vapour barriers in the exterior assembly, ensuring smoke alarms are installed to meet code, bedroom windows meet egress requirements, bathrooms have exhaust, handrails and guards are installed as needed…etc.
Change of Use or Occupancy:
A storage warehouse is being converted to a library. Reno includes flooring, paint, and millwork only. But the occupancy changed from an industrial to an assembly type occupancy. The occupant load likely went from less than 10 to now what could be 100 or more. Has the new occupant load been considered? Are there enough exits for the new occupant load, enough bathrooms? Does the building now require a fire alarm system? Is the building going to be barrier-free and serve the needs of people with disabilities?
PERMITS REQUIRED
- New building construction
- Structural changes to existing building components
- Change of USE or OCCUPANCY of an existing building
- Additions to existing buildings
- An existing building being relocated to new site or property
- Accessory buildings (exemption where building is storage only and less than 10m2 / 100 ft2)
- Significant interior developments, including basement developments
- Decks more than 600 mm (24”) above grade (some municipalities set this at 8”)
- New roofs or canopies over existing decks
- Retaining walls where the structure is part of a building or that are essential to a building structure; retaining walls greater than 600 mm (24”) require the design / design review conducted by a structural engineer (stamped plans)
EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS REQUIRING PERMITS
Seed Cleaning Plants, Grain Loading Terminals, Fertilizer Storage Buildings, Power Plants, Mines, Welding Shops, Mechanic/Tire Shops, Auto Body Shops, Commercial Interior development, etc.
EXEMPTIONS FROM REQUIRING A PERMIT
Residential accessory buildings 10m2 (107ft2) or less are exempt from requiring building permits. Zoning setback requirements must still be adhered to.
Farm Buildings that are specifically used for primary Farming Operations do not require a building permit unless the local government has passed a Building Bylaw requiring such. This exemption does not apply to buildings constructed in RM’s or on farm’s that include sleeping accommodations or are used to earn off Farm Income including Seed Cleaning Plants, Grain Loading Terminals, Fertilizer Storage Buildings, mechanic/welding shops, etc.
On January 1, 2024 the Government of Saskatchewan made a change to regulation that requires building permits and inspections on all houses and buildings with sleeping accommodations. There are no longer exemption for these buildings on farm sites.
PERMITS NOT REQUIRED
A project that does not require a building permit does not necessarily mean it does not require a ‘Development Permit’. In many cases a development permit will be required. Example: An accessory building less than 10m2 needs to be regulated under a zoning bylaw as the municipality still needs to regulate things like number of structures on a property, how much yard is covered by buildings, location on the property, etc.
- Fences, driveways and sidewalks
- Cosmetic repairs such as paint or minor repairs to exterior finishes
- Siding replacement that does not include any structural components
- Replacing windows and doors in existing openings; no increase in width
- Roofing replacement with no structural repairs
- Retaining walls that are not connected to a structure and where their failure would not be detrimental to a structure