Fraser Valley Regional District Building Bylaw No. 1188, 2013 (Consolidated to April 24, 2025)
Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia
· No. 1188
· adopted 2013-01-30
· summary & facts
This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document.
Snapshot 05388ffdd0e9 · verified 2026-09-24 ·
original document ·
archived snapshot ·
unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.
CONSOLIDATED
FRASER VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT
BUILDING BYLAW NO. 1188, 2013
RECORD OF AMENDMENTS TO
BYLAW NO. 1188
BYLAW
SUMMARY
DATE AUTHORIZED
1188, 2013
Base Bylaw
2013 01 30
1355, 2015
Replaces: S. 5.1; 5.3.1 (b); 23
Deletes Appendix B, C, and D
2015 12 16
1428, 2017
Replaces: 3 Definitions; S. 5.3.1(b); 6.2;
9.1.1; 9.1.2; 10.1.1; 10.1.2; 10.4.5; 11.3;
12.2.1; 15.2; 18.1; 18.3; 18.4; 20.1 to
20.3; 21.1; 23; Schedule A
Adds: definition of Plumbing Code; new
S. 12.2.2; 12.5; new 21.2
Amends: S. 3.2.2; 3.2.3; 4.2 to 4.4; 5.4;
9.3.1; 12.3.1; 18; 18.2; 21
Deletes: Forms A to F
2017 05 25
1788, 2025
Replaces Fee Schedule
2025 04 24
THIS BYLAW HAS BEEN CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE ONLY
AND SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR LEGAL PURPOSES.
COPIES OF THE ORIGINAL BYLAWS CAN BE REQUESTED AT [email protected]
Page 2 of 24
FRASER VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT
BYLAW NO. 1188, 2013
[BL 1428] A bylaw for Regulation of Construction within the Fraser Valley Regional District
____________________________________________________________________________
WHEREAS Section 694(1) of the Local Government Act authorizes the Board of Directors of the Fraser
Valley Regional District, for the health, safety and protection of persons and property to regulate the
construction, alteration, repair, or demolition of buildings and structures by bylaw;
AND WHEREAS the Province of British Columbia has adopted a Building Code and Plumbing Code [BL
1428] to govern standards in respect of the construction, alteration, repair and demolition of buildings
in municipalities and regional districts in the Province;
AND WHEREAS it is deemed necessary to provide for the administration of the Building Code and
Plumbing Code [BL 1428];
NOW THEREFORE the Board of Directors of Fraser Valley Regional District, in open meeting
assembled, enacts as follows:
1.
TITLE
This bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the Fraser Valley Regional District Building Bylaw
No. 1188, 2013.
2.
DEFINITIONS
In this bylaw:
The following words and terms have the meanings set out in the British Columbia Building
Code: assembly occupancy, building, building area, building height, business and personal
services occupancy, care occupancy, detention occupancy, treatment 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,
registered professional, registered professional of record and residential occupancy.
Agent means a person, authorized in writing by the owner to represent the owner and
includes a person, firm or corporations.
[BL 1428] Building Code means the British Columbia Building Code as adopted by the Minister
pursuant to the Community Charter, as amended or re-enacted from time to time.
Building Official includes building officials designated or appointed by the Board of Directors
of Fraser Valley Regional District.
Page 3 of 24
Complex Building means:
(a) all buildings used for major occupancies classified as
(i)
assembly occupancies,
(ii)
care, detention or treatment occupancies,
(iii)
high hazard industrial occupancies, and
(b) all buildings exceeding 600 square metres in building area or exceeding three
storeys in building height used for major occupancies classified as
(i)
residential occupancies,
(ii)
business and personal services occupancies,
(iii)
mercantile occupancies, or
(iv)
medium and low hazard industrial occupancies.
Construction includes reconstruction, installation, replacement, erection, repair, alteration,
enlargement, placement, addition, demolition, removal and excavation.
[BL 1428] Health and safety aspects of the work means design and construction regulated by
Division B, Part 4, Part 4, and sections 9.4, 9.8, 9.9, 9.10, 9.12, 9.14, 9.15, 9.17, 9.18, 9.19, 9.20,
9.23, 9.24, 9.31, 9.32, 9.34 and 9.37 of Part 9 of the Building Code
[BL 1428] Owner means the person or persons or body registered as being the owner of a
property with the Land Title Division of the Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia
or a lease with Cultus Lake Park, and/or the owner of the building or structure.
[BL 1428] Plumbing Code means the British Columbia Building Code as adopted by the Minister
pursuant to the Community Charter, as amended or re-enacted from time to time.
Regional District means Fraser Valley Regional District as incorporated under Letters Patent
dated December 12, 1995 or the geographical area within its boundaries, as the context
requires.
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.
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 and paving.
Page 4 of 24
Value of construction means the greater of the construction value as calculated under
Appendix A to this bylaw or a verified contract price for the completion of the construction
and, in any event, as determined by the building official.
3.
PURPOSE OF BYLAW
3.1
The bylaw shall, notwithstanding any other provision herein, be interpreted in accordance
with this section.
3.2
This bylaw has been enacted for the purpose of regulating construction within the Electoral
Areas of the Regional District in the general public interest. The activities undertaken by or
on behalf of the Regional District pursuant to this bylaw are for the sole purpose of providing
a limited and interim spot checking function for reasons of health, safety and the protection of
persons and property. It is not contemplated nor intended, nor does the purpose of this bylaw
extend
3.2.1
to the protection of owners, owner/builders or constructors from economic loss;
3.2.2
to the assumption by the Regional District or any building official of any
responsibility or ensuring the compliance by any owner, his or her representatives or
any employees, constructors or designers retained by him or her, with the Building
Code and/or Plumbing Code [BL 1428], the requirements of this bylaw or other
applicable enactments respecting health or safety;
3.2.3
to providing any person a warranty of design or workmanship with respect to any
building or structure for which a building permit or inspections [BL 1428] is issued under
this bylaw;
3.2.4
to providing a warranty or assurance that construction undertaken pursuant to
building permits issued by the Regional District is free from latent, or any defects.
4.
PERMIT CONDITIONS
4.1
A permit is required whenever work regulated under this bylaw is to be undertaken.
4.2
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 Regional District shall in any way relieve the owner and/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 Plumbing Code [BL 1428] and/or
other applicable enactments respecting health or safety.
4.3
It shall be the full and sole responsibility of the owner and (where the owner is acting
through an agent) the agent to carry out the work in respect of which the permit was
issued in compliance with this bylaw, the Building Code and/or Plumbing Code [BL 1428]
and/or other applicable enactments respecting health or safety.
Page 5 of 24
4.4
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 Regional District constitute in any way a representation,
warranty, assurance or statement that the Building Code and/or Plumbing Code [BL
1428], this bylaw or other applicable enactments respecting health or safety have been
complied with.
4.5
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
representative(s) are responsible for making such determination.
5.
SCOPE AND EXCLUSIONS
5.1
Area of Application
[BL 1355] This bylaw applies to the design, construction and occupancy of new buildings
and structures, and the alteration, reconstruction, demolition, removal, relocation and
occupancy of existing buildings and structures within the Fraser Valley Regional
District Building Inspection Extended Service Area as established by Fraser Valley
Regional District Building Inspection Extended Service Area Merger Bylaw No. 0081, 1996,
and amendments thereto.
5.2
Work for which a building permit is required
Subject to section 5.1, every owner of real property or his or her agent, in an area of
the Regional District which is accessible by a highway maintained by the Ministry of
Transportation and Infrastructure, shall obtain from the building official a building
permit before commencing any construction, works, or change in occupancy as
described below:
(a) the placing on any land of any manufactured or factory-built home or of any
housing component or modular structure;
(b) the erection of any permanent sign with any overall dimension, including the
supporting structure, exceeding 1.8 metres (6 feet) in any direction;
(c) installation or alteration of fencing around a swimming pool as required under
section 19.2 of this bylaw;
(d) the installation or alteration of any plumbing works or services;
(e) any change in occupancy, as defined in the current edition of the British Columbia
Building Code, of a building or part thereof;
(f) installation of solid fuel or oil burning appliances or chimneys;
(g) all other construction of or to a structure if the value of construction is $2,000 or
more;
Page 6 of 24
(h) removal or demolition of any structure for construction of which a building permit
would be required pursuant to this bylaw; or
(j) installation, repair or alteration of gasoline or oil underground pipes and fittings,
tanks or pumps.
5.3
General exemptions from the requirement to obtain a building permit
5.3.1
Notwithstanding section 5.2, a building permit is not required in an area of the
Regional District which:
(a) lies within Electoral Area A which Electoral Area is defined in the Letters
Patent for the Regional District dated December 12, 1995, and is accessible
by a highway maintained by the Ministry of Transportation and
Infrastructure, but lies outside the boundary of the Boston Bar and North
Bend Fire Protection Local Service Area; or
(b) [BL 1428] is not accessible by a Highway monitored by the Ministry of
Transportation and Infrastructure or a Municipality; however, all lands in
Electoral Area H which are separately administered by the Cultus Lake Park
Board under the Cultus Lake Park Act, S.B.C 1932, c63 are not exempt.
5.3.2
Where the real property is located in the areas described in section 5.3(1), an
owner of real property or his or her agent may obtain from the building
official a building permit to undertake any construction or works described in
paragraphs 5.2(a) through (j) provided an application for such a permit is
submitted to the building official in accordance with section 10 of this bylaw.
5.4 Specific construction which does not require a building permit
Notwithstanding section 5.2, a building permit is not required where the proposed
construction consists of:
(a) a new single storey detached accessory [BL 1428] building or structure which is not
intended to be used for any "residential occupancy" and which has a floor area
not exceeding 20 square metres (215 square feet);
(b) an addition to an existing single storey detached accessory [BL 1428] building or
structure which is not intended to be used for any "residential occupancy" and
which results in a total floor area not exceeding 20 square metres (215 square feet)
after the addition is constructed;
(c) a new deck or an addition to an existing deck where the total area of the deck
does not exceed 20 square metres (215 square feet) after the new construction [BL
1428];
(d) a new building or structure or an addition to an existing building or structure
which is intended to be used as a farm building of "low human occupancy" as
defined in the National Farm Building Code of Canada and where the total floor
area after the new construction or addition does not exceed 30 square metres
(323 square feet);
Page 7 of 24
(e) re-covering existing roofs;
(f) re-siding existing exterior walls;
(g) repainting;
(h) replacing existing bathroom, kitchen or laundry fixtures and fittings;
(j) recovering existing floors;
(k) replacing windows and doors in existing openings;
(l) installation or replacement of gas or electric powered space or water heating
fixtures or appliances;
(m) installation of a well;
(n) replacement or repair of existing sewage disposal facilities;
(p) temporary "for sale" signs and election signs;
(q) [BL 1428] a retaining wall, not associated with the protection of a building or
structure, less than 1.2 metres (47 inches) above finished grade measured at any point
within 1.2 metres (47 inches) from the face of the wall or structure;
(r) fences up to a maximum of 2.4 metres (8 feet) high measured on any face except
fences required around swimming pools pursuant to section 19.2 of this bylaw.
6.
PROHIBITIONS
6.1
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 until a building official has
issued a valid and subsisting permit for the work unless such work is specifically
exempted from the requirement for a building permit pursuant to section 5 of this
bylaw.
6.2
[BL 1428] No person shall occupy or use any building or structure unless final inspection
is completed or written permission 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.
6.3
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.
6.4
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.
6.5
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.
Page 8 of 24
6.6
No person shall obstruct the entry of a building official or other authorized official of
the Regional District on property in the administration of this bylaw.
7.
BUILDING OFFICIALS
7.1
Each building official shall
7.1.1
administer this bylaw;
7.1.2
keep records of permit applications, permits, notices and orders issued,
inspections and tests made, and shall retain copies of all documents related to
the administration of this bylaw;
7.1.3
establish, if requested to do so, whether the methods or types of construction
and types of materials used in the construction of a building or structure for
which a permit is sought under this bylaw substantially conform to the
requirements of the Building Code.
7.2
A building official
7.2.1
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;
7.2.2
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 to the
residence; and
7.2.3
shall carry proper credentials confirming his or her status as a building official.
7.3
A building official may order the correction of any work that is being or has been
done in contravention of this bylaw.
8.
APPLICATIONS
8.1
Every person shall apply for and obtain
8.1.1
a building permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building or
structure unless such work is exempted pursuant to section 5 of this bylaw;
8.1.2
a demolition permit before demolishing a building or structure;
8.1.3
a solid fuel/oil burning appliance permit prior to the construction of a masonry
fireplace or the installation of a solid fuel or oil burning appliance or chimney
unless the works are encompassed by a valid building permit.
Page 9 of 24
8.2
An application for a demolition permit shall be made in the form attached as Form B
to this bylaw.
8.3
An application for a solid fuel/oil burning appliance permit shall be made in the form
attached as Form C to this bylaw.
8.4
All plans submitted with permit applications shall bear the name and address of the
designer of the building or structure.
8.5
Each building or structure to be constructed on a site requires a separate building
permit and shall be assessed a separate building permit fee based on the value of
construction of that building or structure as determined in accordance with Appendix
A to this bylaw.
9.
APPLICATIONS FOR COMPLEX BUILDINGS
9.1
An application for a building permit with respect to a complex building shall
9.1.1
[BL 1428] be made as detailed in Section 20, signed by the owner, or a signing
officer if the owner is a corporation, and accompanied by a Plan Review Fee as
required in Appendix A;
9.1.2
[BL 1428] be accompanied by the owner's acknowledgement of responsibility
and undertakings, made in the form prescribed by the Regional District, and
signed by the owner or a signing officer if the owner is a corporation;
9.1.3
be accompanied by a site plan prepared by a British Columbia Land Surveyor
showing:
9.1.3.1 the bearing and dimensions of the parcel taken from the registered
subdivision plan;
9.1.3.2 the legal description and civic address of the parcel;
9.1.3.3 the location and dimensions of all statutory rights of way, easements
and setback requirements;
9.1.3.4 the location and dimensions of all existing and proposed buildings or
structures on the parcel;
9.1.3.5 setbacks to the natural boundary of any lake, swamp, pond or
watercourse where the land use regulations of the Regional District
establish siting requirements related to flooding;
9.1.3.6 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 land use regulations
Page 10 of 24
of the Regional District establish siting requirements related to
minimum floor elevation; and
9.1.3.7 the location, dimension and gradient of parking and driveway access.
9.1.4
be accompanied by floor plans showing the dimensions and uses of all areas;
the dimensions and height of crawl and roof spaces; the location, size and
swing of doors; the location, size and opening of windows; floor, wall, and
ceiling finishes; plumbing fixtures; structural elements; and stair dimensions.
9.1.5
be accompanied by a cross sectional drawing through the building or
structure illustrating foundations, drainage, ceiling heights and construction
systems.
9.1.6
be accompanied by elevation drawings of all sides of the building or structure
showing finish details, roof slopes, windows, doors and finished grade'
9.1.7
be accompanied by 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;
9.1.8
be accompanied by copies of approvals or documentation required under any
enactment relating to health or safety, including, without limitation, sewage
disposal, highway access, Fraser Health Authority approval and Homeowner
Protection Office documentation;
9.1.9
be accompanied by a letter of assurance in the form of Schedule A as referred
to in the current edition 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;
9.1.10 be accompanied by letters of assurance in the form of Schedule B as referred
to in the current edition of the Building Code, each signed by such registered
professionals of record as the building official or Building Code may require
to prepare the design for and conduct field reviews of the construction of the
building or structure;
9.1.11 be accompanied by three sets of drawings at a suitable scale of the design
prepared by each registered professional and including the information set
out in sections 9.1.5 - 9.1.8 of this bylaw.
9.2
The building official may waive the requirements for a site plan, in whole or in part,
where the information required can be readily ascertained by other means by the
building official.
9.3
In addition to the requirements of section 9.1, the following may be required by a
building official to be submitted with a building permit application for the
Page 11 of 24
construction of a complex building where the complexity of the proposed building or
structure or siting circumstances warrant
9.3.1
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 Fraser Valley Regional District
Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw [BL 1428], as amended or re-
enacted from time to time.
9.3.2
a section through the site showing grades, buildings, structures, parking areas
and driveways;
9.3.3
any other information required by the building official or the Building Code to
establish substantial compliance with this bylaw, the Building Code, any other
bylaws and enactments relating to the building or structure, the Riparian
Areas Regulation and any covenant registered on the title of the property
pursuant to section 219 of the Land Title Act or section 56 of the Community
Charter.
10.
APPLICATIONS FOR STANDARD BUILDINGS
10.1
An application for a building permit with respect to a standard building shall;
10.1.1
[BL 1428] be made as detailed in Section 20, signed by the owner, or a signing
officer if the owner is a corporation; and accompanied by a Plan Review Fee as
required in Appendix A;
10.1.2
[BL 1428] be accompanied by the owner's acknowledgement of responsibility
and undertakings, made in the form prescribed by the Regional District and
signed by the owner or a signing officer if the owner is a corporation;
10.1.3 be accompanied by a site plan prepared by a British Columbia Land Surveyor
showing:
(a) the bearing and dimensions of the parcel taken from the registered
subdivision plan;
(b) the legal description and civic address of the parcel;
(c) the location and dimensions of all statutory rights of way, easements and
setback requirements;
(d) the location and dimensions of all existing and proposed buildings or
structures on the parcel;
(e) setbacks to the natural boundary of any lake, swamp, pond or watercourse
where the Regional District land use regulations establish siting
requirements related to flooding;
Page 12 of 24
(f) the existing and finished ground levels to an established datum oat or
adjacent to the site and the geodetic elevation of the underside of the
floor system of a building or structure where the Regional District land
use regulations establish siting requirements related to minimum floor
elevation; and
(g) the location, dimension and gradient of parking and driveway access;
10.1.4 be accompanied by floor plans showing the dimensions and uses of all areas;
the dimensions and height of crawl and roof spaces; the location, size and
swing of doors; the location, size and opening of windows; floor, wall, and
ceiling construction and finishes; plumbing fixtures; structural elements; and
stair dimensions;
10.1.5 be accompanied by a cross sectional drawing through the building or
structure illustrating foundations, drainage, ceiling heights and construction
systems;
10.1.6 be accompanied by elevation drawings of all sides of the building or structure
showing finish details, roof slopes, windows, doors and finished grade;
10.1.7 be accompanied by 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;
10.1.8 be accompanied by copies of approvals and documentation required under
any enactment relating to health or safety, including, without limitation,
sewage disposal, highway access, Fraser Health Authority approval and
Homeowner protection Office;
10.1.9 be accompanied by a foundation design prepared by a registered professional
in accordance with Part 4 of the Building Code, accompanied by letters of
assurance in the form of Schedule B as referred to in the current edition of the
Building Code, signed by the registered professional;
10.1.10 be accompanied by three sets of drawings at a suitable scale of the design
including the information set out in sections 10.1.4 to 10.1.9 of this bylaw.
10.2
The requirements of section 10.1.9 may be waived by a building official if
(a) documentation, prepared and sealed by a registered professional, is provided
assuring that the foundation design and foundation excavation substantially
comply with Part 9 the Building Code; or
(b) the building official is otherwise satisfied that the foundation design and
foundation substantially comply with Part 9 of the Building Code.
10.3
The building official may waive the requirements for a site plan, in whole or in part,
where the information required can be readily ascertained by other means by the
building official.
Page 13 of 24
10.4
In addition to the requirements of section 10.1, 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 meters, or two or more buildings
that will contain four or more dwelling units, or otherwise where the complexity of the
proposed building or structure or siting circumstances warrant:
10.4.1
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 Regional District subdivision
servicing bylaw;
10.4.2
a section through the site showing grades, buildings, structures, parking
areas and driveways;
10.4.3
a roof plan and roof height calculations;
10.4.4
structural, electrical, mechanical or fire suppression drawings prepared
and sealed by a registered professional;
10.4.5
[BL 1428] sealed letters of undertaking, signed by the registered
professional;
10.4.6
any other information required by the building official or the Building
Code to establish substantial compliance with this bylaw, the Building
Code, any other bylaws and enactments relating to the building or
structure, the Riparian Areas Regulation and any covenant registered on
the title of the property pursuant to section 219 of the Land Title Act or
section 56 of the Community Charter.
11.
PROFESSIONAL PLAN CERTIFICATION
11.1
The letters of assurance in the form of Schedules B referred to in the current edition of
the Building Code and provided pursuant to sections 9.1.10, 10,1.9, 10.2.5, and 15.1 of
this bylaw are relied upon by the Regional District and its building officials as
certification that the design and plans to which the letters of assurance relate comply
with the Building Code and other applicable enactments relating to health or safety.
11.2
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
10.2.4 and letters of assurance pursuant to section 10.2.5 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 health or safety.
Page 14 of 24
11.3
[BL 1428] When a building permit is issued in accordance with Section 11.2 of this bylaw,
the plan review fee payable shall be reduced by 50% pursuant to Appendix A to this
bylaw.
12.
FEES AND CHARGES
12.1
In addition to applicable fees and charges required under other bylaws, a permit fee,
calculated in accordance with Appendix A to this bylaw, shall be paid in full prior to
issuance of any permit under this bylaw.
12.2
An application made for a building permit shall be accompanied by the appropriate
non-refundable deposit as set out in Appendix A to this bylaw.
12.2.1
[BL 1428] The non-refundable plan review fee shall be credited against the
building permit fee when the permit is issued.
12.2.2
[BL 1428] An application that remains dormant with no further submissions to
the Regional District by the applicant for a period of two (2) years shall be
cancelled and the application fee forfeited.
12.2.3 An application shall be cancelled and the non-refundable deposit forfeited if
the building permit has not been issued and the permit fee paid with 180 days
of the date of written notification to the owner that the permit is ready to be
issued.
12.2.4 When an application is cancelled the plans and related documents submitted
with the application may be destroyed.
12.3
The owner may obtain a refund of 50% of the permit fees set out in Appendix A to this
bylaw when a permit is surrendered and cancelled before any construction begins,
provided:
12.3.1 the refund shall not include any part of the plan review fee [BL 1428] paid
pursuant to section 12.2 of this bylaw; and
12.3.2 no refund shall be made where construction has begun.
12.4
Where, due to non-compliance with this bylaw, more than two inspections are
necessary when one inspection is normally required, for each inspection after the
second inspection, a re-inspection charge as set out in Appendix A to this bylaw shall
be paid prior to additional inspections being performed.
12.5
[BL 1788] The fee for removing a notice that has been placed on the title to land in
accordance with Section 57 of the Community Charter shall be as set out in Appendix A
to this bylaw.
Page 15 of 24
13.
BUILDING PERMITS
13.1
When:
13.1.1 a completed application including all required supporting documentation has
been submitted;
13.1.2 the proposed work set out in the application substantially conforms with the
Building Code, this bylaw and all other applicable bylaws and enactments;
13.1.3 the owner or his or her agent has paid all applicable fees set out in section 12.1
of this bylaw;
13.1.4 the owner or his or her agent has paid all charges and met all requirements
imposed by any other enactment or bylaw;
13.1.5 no enactment, covenant, agreement, or regulation in favour of, or any
regulation of the Regional District authorizes the permit to be withheld;
13.1.6 the owner has retained a professional engineer or geoscientist if required by
the provisions of the Engineers and Geoscientists Act;
13.1.7 the owner has retained an architect if required by the provisions of the
Architects Act;
13.1.8 the requirements of the Homeowner Protection Act have been fulfilled;
13.1.9 the requirements of the current Sewerage System Regulations have been
fulfilled;
13.1.10 the requirements of the Transportation Act have been fulfilled;
a building official shall issue the permit for which the application is made.
13.2
Every permit is issued upon the condition that the permit shall expire and the rights of
the owner under the permit shall terminate if:
13.2.1 the work authorized by the permit is not commenced within 6 months from
the date of issuance of the permit; or
13.2.2 in any event, 24 months after the date of issuance of the building permit.
13.3
At the request of an owner, a building official may extend the period of time set out
under sections 13.2.1 where construction has not been commenced or where
construction has been discontinued due to adverse weather, strikes, material or
labour shortages, or similar hardship beyond the owner's control.
Page 16 of 24
14.
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION
14.1
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 the 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.
15.
PROFESSIONAL DESIGN AND FIELD REVIEW
15.1
When a building official considers that the site conditions, size or complexity of a
development or an aspect of a development warrant, he or she may require a
registered professional provide design and plan certification and field review by
means of letters of assurance in the form of Schedules B and C referred to in the
current edition of the Building Code.
15.2
[BL 1428] Prior to the completion of Final Inspection or other written means of assurance
to the Building Official, where a Schedule B has not been submitted for a complex
building, or standard building in circumstances where letters of assurance have been
required in accordance with Sections 10.1.9, 10.2, 10.4 or 15.1 of this bylaw, the owner
shall provide the Regional District with letters of assurance in the form of Schedule C,
as is appropriate, referred to in the current edition of the Building Code.
16.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OWNER
16.1
Every owner shall ensure that all construction complies with the Building Code, this
bylaw and other applicable enactments.
16.2
Every owner to whom a permit is issued shall be responsible for the cost of repair of
any damage to Regional District works that occurs in the course of the work
authorized by the permit.
16.3
Every owner to whom a permit is issued shall, during construction:
16.3.1 post and maintain the permit number card in a conspicuous place on the
property in respect of which the permit was issued;
16.3.2 keep a copy of the accepted designs, plans and specifications on the property;
and
16.3.3 post the civic address on the property in a location visible from any adjoining
streets.
Page 17 of 24
17.
INSPECTIONS
17.1
When a registered professional provides letters of assurance in accordance with
sections 9.1.10, 10.1.9, 10.2.5, 15.1 or 15.2 of this bylaw, the Regional District will rely
solely on field reviews undertaken by the registered professional and the letters of
assurance submitted pursuant to section 15.2 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 health or safety.
17.2
Notwithstanding section 17.1 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.
17.3
A building official may attend periodically at the site of the construction of standard
buildings or structures to ascertain whether the health and safety aspects of the
work are being carried out in substantial conformance with those portions of the
Building Code, this bylaw and any other applicable enactment concerning health and
safety.
17.4
The owner or his or her representative shall give notice of at least one full business day
to the building official when requesting an inspection and shall obtain an inspection
and receive a building official's acceptance of the aspects of the work prior to
concealing that work.
17.5
No aspect of the work referred in section 17.4 of this bylaw shall be concealed until a
building official has accepted it in writing.
17.6
The requirements of section 17.4 of this bylaw do not apply to any aspect of the work
that is the subject of a registered professional's letter of assurance provided as a
requirement of this bylaw.
17.7
Notwithstanding 17.6, the owner or his or her representative shall give at least 24
hours notice to the Regional District before covering up or concealing any aspect of
the work that is the subject of a registered professional's letter of assurance provided
as a requirement of this bylaw.
18.
FINAL INSPECTION [BL 1428]
18.1
No person shall occupy a building or structure or part of a building or structure
before a building official has:
(a) [BL 1428] completed a final inspection with no deficiencies, or
(b) [BL 1428] given written permission for provisional or conditional use if all
construction authorized by the building permit is not complete.
Page 18 of 24
18.2
A Final Inspection shall not be complete unless [BL 1428]:
(a) all letters of assurance required by this bylaw have been submitted.
(b) all aspects of the work requiring inspection and acceptance pursuant to section
17.4 of this bylaw have both been inspected and accepted or the inspections and
acceptance are not required in accordance with section 17.5 of this bylaw.
18.3
[BL 1428] A building official may refuse to complete a permit or give written permission
for provisional or conditional use if the building or structure, or part thereof if he/she
is aware:
(a) of a contravention of the health and safety requirements of the Building Code, this
bylaw, or any other bylaw of the Regional District or any statute;
(b) of a contravention of a covenant registered against the property at issue pursuant
to section 219 of the Land Title Act or section 56 of the Community Charter; or
(c) that the work has not been completed in substantial conformity with the plans
and specifications forming part of the building permit application."
19.
SPECIAL PROVISIONS
19.1
Retaining Structures
A registered professional shall undertake the design and conduct field reviews of the
construction of a retaining structure greater than 1.2 meters in height. Sealed copies of the
design plan and field review reports prepared by the registered professional for all retaining
structures greater than 1.2 meters in height shall be submitted to a building official prior to
acceptance of the works.
19.2
Fences around swimming pools
Swimming pools shall be enclosed within a fence. The fence shall be not less than 1.1 metres
(3 feet 6 inches) in height with no openings greater than 10 cm (4 inches) in their least
dimension. Access through the fence enclosing the swimming pool shall be by means of a
self-closing gate only. The gate and fence shall be designed so as to cause the gate to return
to a locked position when not in use. The gate shall be secured by a spring lock which can be
opened on the swimming pool side only. For the purpose of this section "swimming pool"
shall include any constructed or prefabricated pool used or intended to be used for
swimming, bathing or wading, having a surface area greater than 13.9 m2 (150 sq. ft.) and a
depth greater than 0.46 metres (18 inches). Pools extending 1.1 metres above grade with all
access ladders or steps capable of being removed or secured to restrict access shall be
considered to comply with this section. A solid wall of a building can form part of the required
fence only if that portion of the wall contains no openings.
Page 19 of 24
20.
PERMIT FORMS
20.1
[BL 1428] Every application for a permit shall be in writing and shall contain:
a) A completed application form in the form prescribed by the Regional District
along with any supplementary information required by the Regional District; and,
b) An application fee as set out in Appendix A to this bylaw.
21.
OFFENCES AND PENALTIES [BL 1428]
21.1
[BL 1428] Every person who contravenes any provision of this bylaw commits an offence
punishable on summary conviction and shall be liable to a fine of not more than
$10,000.00 (ten thousand dollars) in addition to the cost of prosecution, or to
imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.
21.2
[BL 1428] Every contravention of this bylaw that continues for more than one (1) day
constitutes a separate offence for each day that it continues.
21.3
Every person who fails to comply with any order or notice issued by a building official,
or who allows a violation of this bylaw to continue, contravenes this bylaw.
21.4
A building official may order the cessation of any work that is proceeding in
contravention of the Building Code or this bylaw by posting a Stop Work notice in the
form of Form G to this bylaw.
21.5
The owner of property on which a Stop Work notice has been posted, and every other
person, 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 be rescinded in writing by a building official.
21.6
Where a person occupies a building or structure or part of a building or structure in
contravention of section 6.2 of this bylaw a building official may post a No Occupancy
notice in the form of Form H to this bylaw on the affected part of the building or
structure.
21.7
The owner of property on which a No Occupancy notice has been posted and every
person, 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 No Occupancy notice has
been rescinded in writing by a building official.
22.
SEVERABILITY
22.1
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.
Page 20 of 24
23.
APPENDICES AND FORMS
[BL 1428] Appendix A and Forms G and H attached to this bylaw form a part of this bylaw.
24.
REPEAL
Fraser Valley Regional District Building Bylaw 0034, 1996 and all amendments thereto are
hereby repealed.
25.
READINGS AND ADOPTION
READ A FIRST TIME THIS 30th
day of January, 2013
READ A SECOND TIME THIS 30th
day of January, 2013
READ A THIRD TIME THIS 30th
day of January, 2013
ADOPTED THIS 30th
day of January, 2013
Page 21 of 24
APPENDIX A TO FRASER VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT
BUILDING BYLAW NO. 1188, 2013
BUILDING PERMIT FEES (BL 1788)
1.
Non-refundable portion and minimum fee for any building
permit application (except for work identified in sections
10, 11, 12, 14 and 15 of this schedule).
$190.00
2.
Moving a building within the Regional District
$330.00
3.
Moving a building into the Regional District from outside
the Regional District
$330.00
4.
Moving buildings: Refundable security deposit to ensure
the clean-up of both the former site and exterior finish of
foundation at new site
$1,000.00
5.
Plan Review Fee: Non-refundable once a site inspection
is undertaken. (including drawing revisions once permit is
issued)
Projects using a Registered Professional
$1.27 per $1,000 of value to a maximum
of $635.00 and a minimum of $50
- 50% reduction of Plan Review Fee
above
6.
Inspection Fee: For work, the value of construction of
which is determined in accordance with this bylaw to be:
(up to and including $1,000,000)
$150.00 plus 1.27% of value of
construction, subtracting the Plan Review
Fee
7.
Inspection Fee: For work, the value of construction of
which is determined in accordance with this bylaw to be:
(more than $1,000,000)
$12,700 plus 1.02% of the value of
construction in excess of $1,000,000,
subtracting the Plan Review Fee
8.
Where no changes are proposed in design or siting, for a
re-application for a building permit which has lapsed
$190.00 or 10% of the original building
permit fee, whichever is greater
9.
Building requiring specialized technical knowledge
(includes Commercial, Industrial, Institutional and Multiple
Family Dwelling)
All applicable fees listed in this Appendix
A and in addition all consultants'
professional fees incurred by the
Regional District
10. For permit to install plumbing:
-for any number of fixtures up to ten
-for each additional fixture in excess of ten
$220.00
$8.90
11. For permit to install a chimney to serve a solid fuel or oil
burning appliance
$140.00
12. For permit to install a fireplace (including masonry or
factory-built chimney)
$280.00
13. For permit to place a mobile home (CSA Z240 standard)
(not in a mobile home park)
$420.00
Page 22 of 24
14. For permit to place a mobile home in a mobile home
park
$280.00
15. For permit to erect fencing around a swimming pool in
accordance with section 19.2
$125.00
16. For recall fee (when inspector is called to site
prematurely)
$125.00
17. Demolishing a structure
$190.00
18. *Valuation per square foot of new construction for permit
purposes shall be calculated as noted below
19. For a permit where the property is not accessible by a
highway maintained by the Ministry of Transportation and
Infrastructure and where the owner requests a permit (as
per Section 5.3.2)
All applicable fees listed in this Appendix
A and in addition all costs of travel and
costs of time to travel between the
proposed construction site and the
nearest access to a highway maintained
by the Ministry of Transportation and
Infrastructure.
20. For obtaining property title search from Land Title Office
(per title)
$25.00
21. Where work has started before the building official has
issued a Building Permit in accordance with this bylaw
Double all applicable fees listed in this
Appendix A
22. The fee for removing a notice that has been placed on
the title to land in accordance with Section 57 of the
Community Charter as amended or re-enacted from time
to time
$635.00
*Value of Construction means the greater of the construction value as determined by the building official
using the current edition of RSMeans Data Online (or equivalent) or a verified contract price for the
completion of the construction for the purpose of assessing permit fees.
[BL 1355] Deleted Appendices B,C and D - maps of excluded areas
Page 23 of 24
Forms A-F Deleted [BL 1428]
FORM G TO FRASER VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT BUILDING
BYLAW NO. 1188, 2013
Page 24 of 24
FORM H TO FRASER VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT
BUILDING BYLAW NO. 1188, 2013