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Revised: March 18, 2020
Town of Gander
Residential Buildings
Town of Gander
Engineering Department
100 Elizabeth Drive
[email protected]
Gander, NL A1V 1G7
www.gandercanada.com
Fax: (709) 256-5809
Phone: (709) 651-5954/5915
RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMIT GUIDELINES
New Buildings, Extensions and Renovations
Intent
A building permit is a license, which grants legal permission to start construction of a building project and is
required for all new homes, as well as additions, alterations and renovations to existing dwellings. A building
permit must be obtained from the Engineering Department before work begins. Building permits enable the
Town to protect the interests of both individuals and the community as a whole. Plans must be reviewed to
ensure compliance with the National Building Code, local Zoning Bylaws, and other applicable regulations.
Application and Fee Structure
Building Permit Fee:
Minor Construction (under $20,000 value) $1.00 for each $1000.00 construction value (minimum
charge of $10.00
Major Construction (over $20,000 value) $2.00 for each $1000.00 construction value.
New Buildings and Additions: permit fee is based on a cost per square foot (see current rates of
construction) plus any applicable deposits (see below)
Where the Authority has been made aware that any construction to a building has commenced, prior to the
issuance of a building permit, the permit fee shall be doubled.
Other Applicable Fees for New Residential Buildings:
A $1500 wastewater service levy will be charged for each new residential connection to the Town's
sewer system and will be added to the building permit cost.
A $300 grading verification fee is charged to each residential new build which covers the cost of your
plot and grade plans, as well as a site visit to verify footing elevations and grading.
Deposits:
Building Inspection Deposit: A $500 inspection deposit is charged to all new residential builds, as well
as additions and major renovations, which is fully refundable provided that a re-inspection of the
building is not required.
Grading Inspection Deposit: A $500 inspection deposit is charged to all new residential builds, which is
fully refundable provided that a re-inspection of the grading is not required.
Tree Planting Incentive: A $300 deposit is required on all new residential builds at the time of application
and is refunded after confirmation that a tree has been planted on the property (within the 24 month
period).
*Fee to be paid upon receipt of application.
**Sufficient time should be allotted for the processing of the permit application and review of submitted plans, if necessary.
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Revised: March 18, 2020
Town of Gander
Residential Buildings
To Apply:
Town of Gander Building Permit Applications can be found online or at the Engineering Department located in
the Town Hall.
FOR MINOR RENOVATIONS:
1. Submit a completed Building Permit Application to the Town of Gander
2. Pay applicable fees as set out in Town of Gander's current fee schedule.
Permits for minor renovations and repairs can usually be processed the same day and typically do not require
the submittal of plans. More extensive project such as new homes or extensions/additions to existing dwellings,
and major interior renovations will require the submittal of plans and their subsequent review.
FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION, ADDITIONS, & MAJOR RENOVATIONS:
1. Contact the Engineering Department to determine what information is required to be submitted;
2. Submit a Building Permit Application, along with required drawings (see list below);
3. Pay applicable fees and deposits as set out in Town of Gander's fee schedule
4. Refer to Mandatory Inspections Guidelines for important information.
The builder (owner/contractor) should provide a copy of the survey of the property. Builders must present
two complete sets of plans. Upon review, one set will be stamped and returned to the owner.
Information to be provided on plans:
Plans should be drawn to scale.
White print copies only.
Shall be of quality workmanship.
To be submitted on standard size sheets.
Shall include - elevations, foundation plan, floor plan, wall section and details (stairs, roof or
truss, etc.)
At no time shall changes be made to an approved drawing without first having received
approval of the Engineering Department of the Town of Gander.
All construction shall be completed in accordance with the current National Building Code of
Canada.
Building Placement
Plot Plan/Grading Plan
The Town will provide for the homeowner/builder, a plot plan which includes the following information:
Location of house on the lot
Lot grades.
Drainage direction of water over the entire lot.
Driveway location.
Utility easements.
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Revised: March 18, 2020
Town of Gander
Residential Buildings
Footings shall be located by a surveyor, and a House Placement Verification is to be completed and forwarded
to the Town of Gander prior to any further construction taking place. The Town of Gander shall be provided
with a Location Certificate or Real Property Report for the property prior to the erection of the first floor exterior
walls. This will be strictly enforced.
For new residential buildings, please confirm maximum building size and location with the Town of Gander
prior to purchasing a house plan or building lot. Also, please review the developer's grade plan to determine
if the lot grading suits the proposed dwelling.
Sideyards
When modifying an existing dwelling, please refer to the Town of Gander's Development Regulations
for sideyard requirements.
Check with the Town's Engineering Department to verify maximum building size for your lot.
Lumber Requirements
All materials shall be identified by a grade stamp as per the National Building Code of Canada.
Ventilation Requirements
Due to new construction standards and higher levels of air tightness in homes, it is now required by the
National Building Code of Canada that all dwelling units be equipped with a mechanical ventilation
system capable of providing adequate air changes to each room, as per the current NBCC. A Heat
Recovery Ventilator Unit serving a residential property shall NOT be installed/ mounted within an
attached garage of that residence. A copy of the certificate of compliance shall be forwarded to the
Town of Gander prior to final approval of occupancy being granted.
Plumbing Protection
Sanitary sewer pipe shall be SDR-35 and GREEN in colour and the storm sewer pipe shall be SDR-28 and
WHITE in colour.
A pressure reducing valve shall be installed on the water service if water pressure in your area exceeds
550 KPA (80 PSI). Please check with the Engineering Office for further information.
Backflow Prevention Devices shall be installed as per the current edition of the National Plumbing Code
of Canada.
Concrete
Concrete mix for foundations shall achieve a minimum strength of 15 MPA (2200 PSI) after 28 days. If
concrete mix is not supplied by an accredited batch plant, the owner must supply the Town, through
an independent Engineer, certification of strength and integrity of concrete mix.
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Revised: March 18, 2020
Town of Gander
Residential Buildings
Grading
The Town sets the finished grade of the land, as per the grading plan of the subdivision, which must be
adhered to.
Prior to the placement of any asphalt, topsoil, sodding, and construction of any shed, patio, or fence,
the rough grading must be certified and approved by Town officials.
The owner/builder shall ensure that the lot is properly graded so that when finished surface materials
are placed, the final lot grade meets the design as per the approved grading plan.
The building site should be graded precisely as is outlined on the overall grading plan and so that water
will not accumulate at or near the building and will flow as part of the overall development grading
plan.
Adequate surface water drainage shall be provided over the entire building site.
Driveways, walks, terraces, retaining walls or other construction shall not be installed in a manner
which interferes with the flow of surface drainage.
Easements
Builders should check their lot survey to determine if there are any utility easements on the lot.
It is very important that the house not be located on an easement. Mortgage companies require a
location certificate, after the foundation is poured, to establish that the house is located correctly on
the lot and that it does not encroach on any easements. If the house is located incorrectly, it may be
necessary to move the house at the expense of the builder/owner.
In the event an easement is located on a property the Town will, where possible, establish the
sideyard, where the easement is located, as being 0.3m larger.
Drainage of Excavation
Laterals (storm and sanitary) must be capped at all times. Great care must be taken to ensure that silt,
sawdust, concrete, etc., must not be allowed to enter the sewer system through house laterals during
construction. This can result in blockages in the system and much expense and inconvenience both to
the builder and homeowners who experience flooding. Costs will be charged to the builder/owner
where responsibility can be proven.
Water from excavations must not be pumped out onto the street. It should be pumped onto the
ground at a point where it is sloping away from the excavation or directly to a catch basin or other
Town approved area.
Stripping of Lots
All stumps, rocks, and other stripping material removed from the site shall be disposed of at an
approved site. Great care should be taken during stripping and basement excavation that materials
are not pushed onto the street or adjacent property. If this occurs the builder is responsible for
cleaning or repairs.
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Revised: March 18, 2020
Town of Gander
Residential Buildings
Occupancy Permit
An occupancy permit is required prior to the occupancy of any building or part thereof. The issuance of
this document ensures that all criteria required by the Town of Gander has been satisfied and the
occupant can safely and legally occupy a building. The permit will not be issued until after a Final
Inspection has been completed. The Authority can refuse the issuance of the permit if all outstanding
documents have not been received from the owner/builder.
Inspections and Maintenance
The Town of Gander must inspect of all aspects of new construction or extensive renovations as
prescribed in the Mandatory Inspection regulations.
When construction is complete, contact this department for final inspection. This inspection is
Mandatory and must be carried out before final approval and permit to occupy can be granted.
Other Related Information
Fences
Residential Landscaping
Accessory Buildings
Patios, Decks, and Balconies
Mandatory Inspections
Property Grading Guidelines
House Wrap Installation Guidelines
This is a guideline prepared for easy reference. The Town's Regulations are subject to periodic amendments. For the
most recent and official version of the regulations, please refer to the Town of Gander's Development Regulations.
Powers of Authority
Employees of the Town of Gander are required to enforce these regulations and are not permitted to
make modifications. If these regulations prohibit a development proposal, the applicant may formally
contact Council, by written request, to effect changes to a regulation or by-law.