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TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER
CHAPTER 37
BUILDING CODE BY-LAW
Be it enacted by the Council of the Town of Bridgewater, under the authority of the Nova
Scotia Building Code Act, Chapter 46 of the Revised Statutes of Nova Scotia, 1989 and
amendments thereto, as well as Regulations passed pursuant to the Building Code Act
and any amendments thereto, as follows:
PART 1
DEFINITIONS
1.1
This by-law shall be known and cited as the "Building Code By-law".
1.2
Words not defined in this by-law have the same meaning as in the Assessment
Act, Building Code Act and the regulations prescribed thereunder.
1.3
In this by-law,
a) "Act" means the Building Code Act and any amendments thereto;
b) "Agent" means a person who is authorized to act on behalf of an owner;
c) "Building Official" means the authority having jurisdiction appointed pursuant
to Section 5 of the Act;
d) "Building Code" means the regulations made pursuant to Section 4 of the Act;
e) "Enclosure" means a fence, wall or other structure including doors or gates,
surrounding a swimming pool to restrict access;
f)
"Location Certificate" means a document certified by a Nova Scotia Land
Surveyor confirming the location of a structure in relation to the lot;
g)
"Manufactured Home" means a single or multiple section manufactured
dwelling unit that is designed and built in accordance with CSA CAN3-Z240
Series;
h)
"Owner" includes a person controlling the property under consideration, and
also prima facie the assessed owner of the property whose name appears on
the assessment roll;
i)
"Swimming Pool" means a water-filled enclosure, permanently constructed or
portable, whether above or in-ground, capable of holding water to a depth of
more than 600 mm (24"), maintained or used, or which is intended to be used
for swimming;
j)
"Total Project Value" means the total value of all project construction contracts
between the owner and the general contractor and subcontractors exclusive
of taxes. The total project value shall include all installed architectural,
structural, electrical and mechanical services but does not include land value.
Where either only some or no contracts have been signed, the total project
value will be determined by the Building Official based upon either an estimate
of project costs submitted by the applicant to the Building Official, or the cost
of similar work undertaken within the town; and
k) "Town" means the Town of Bridgewater.
PART 2
PERMITS
General
2.1
A Building Permit and a Demolition Permit are valid for a period of one year from
the date of issue.
2.2
If, within that one-year period no work has taken place and the owner has
contacted the Town requesting a refund of the application fee, a refund will be
provided minus an administration fee to cover expenses incurred by the Town.
2.3
If, within ninety (90) calendar days of the expiration date of a Building Permit,
renewal is requested by the owner, a renewal shall be granted for a one-year
period retroactively effective on the expiration date subject to payment of the
renewal fee.
2.4
A Building Permit can be renewed no more than twice.
2.5
If a Building Permit has been expired for more than ninety (90) calendar days,
the Building Permit will be cancelled. To complete any outstanding work on the
project, a new Building Permit application shall be completed and an application
fee paid. The application fee will be calculated based on the total project value of
the outstanding work to complete the project.
Applications
2.6
Before a Building Permit or Demolition Permit is issued, an applicant shall
complete an Application Form and pay the permit fee.
2.7
To authorize an Agent for the purpose of making an application for a permit, the
owner shall complete a Land Owner Authorization form as set out in Schedule I.
2.8
When an application for a permit has not been completed in conformance with the
requirements of this By-law within six (6) months after it is filed, the application
shall be deemed to have been abandoned.
Building Permit for Swimming Pools
2.9
A Building Permit is required for a swimming pool.
Building Permit for Retaining Walls
2.10 A Building Permit is required for retaining walls over six (6) feet in height. As part
of the permit, the applicant must attain an engineered design for the wall.
Demolition Permit
2.11 Before issuing a Demolition Permit, the Building Official shall be satisfied that the
property is not listed in the Town's Heritage Properties Register.
2.12 During demolition, the owner shall ensure safety measures at the site are in
accordance with Part 8 of the National Building Code.
2.13 Immediately following demolition, the owner shall:
a) ensure that all services are capped, marked with stakes and inspected by
the appropriate authority; and
b) immediately clean the property and remove all debris and other material in
accordance with Section 15 of the Municipal Government Act and Town of
Bridgewater Solid Waste Collection By-law.
Occupancy Permit
2.14 An Occupancy Permit is provided to the owner at the conclusion of a successful
final building inspection for the purpose of confirming that the work has been done
in accordance with the terms of the Building Permit and is consistent with the
applicable regulations.
2.15 If an Occupancy Permit is required for a building or structure for which the Building
Permit has been cancelled or expired, the Building Official may inspect the building
or structure for the purpose of issuing an Occupancy Permit where:
a) the owner or his agent requests an inspection in writing; and
b) a Building Permit has previously been issued for the subject building or
structure; and
c) the inspections required as per the Building Permit have been completed
and records of said inspections are available; and
d) the Occupancy Permit inspection fee has been paid.
2.16 The Building Code in effect at the date of issuance of the Building Permit shall be
applied for all such inspections.
2.17 An Occupancy Permit will not be issued for any building shown on the assessment
roll to exist prior to the coming into effect of the Building Code Act on April 1, 1987.
Occupancy Permits for Temporary Buildings
2.18 An Occupancy Permit for a temporary building shall not be issued for a period of
more than one (1) year, shall not be renewed, nor shall a second permit for a
temporary building on the same property be issued until a period of 30 days has
elapsed following the expiration of any previous Occupancy Permit for a temporary
building.
2.19 A temporary building shall be removed immediately upon expiration of the
Occupancy Permit.
Location Certificates
2.20 With the exception of section 2.21 of this By-law, a location certificate is required
for all new structures and any new construction that alters the building envelope
and shall be approved by the Building Official and the Development Officer after
the footings or slab has been poured to ensure the construction meets the
requirements of the Land Use Bylaw and Building Code.
2.21 A location certificate may not be required, in the sole discretion of the Building
Official, for additions to buildings or for the construction of a building that is
accessory to a single unit dwelling, semi-detached dwelling or townhouse.
PART 3
INSPECTIONS
3.1
The owner shall notify the Building Official a minimum of two (2) business days in
advance of a required inspection to schedule an appointment.
3.2
One (1) hour of notice shall be provided to the Building Official to reschedule a
scheduled inspection if the work required for the inspection is not complete.
Failure to provide said notice may result in an Inspection Cancellation fee. The
Inspection Cancellation fee shall be paid by the owner prior to the completion of
any future inspections.
3.3
Required inspections shall be listed on the Building Permit, and may consist of:
a) Excavation Inspection - conducted after site excavation, but before footings
are placed.
b) Footing Inspection - conducted when the footings are placed and the forms
have been removed. The location certificate referenced in section 2.20 of
this By-law is required before additional construction can be completed by
the owner.
c) Foundation Inspection Prior to Backfill - conducted after foundation is
installed and damp proofed with drain tile in place.
d) Underground Plumbing Inspection - conducted after sub-slab plumbing is
installed.
e) Sub-Slab Underground Insulation Inspection - conducted after sub-slab
insulation is installed.
f) Rough-in Plumbing Inspection - conducted when plumbing has been
installed, but before insulation is placed in the walls. This is often done at
the same time as the framing inspection.
g) Framing Inspection - conducted when all framing is complete and all
windows are installed. The building must be weather tight.
h) Insulation and Vapour Barrier Inspection - conducted when all insulation
and vapour barrier is installed.
i) Final Building Inspection - includes an inspection on the completed
building or structure to ensure compliance with the Building Code and this
By-law. This inspection shall occur prior to occupancy of the building or
structure.
3.4
In the case of a manufactured home, the final inspection will be completed to
ensure compliance with CSA CAN3-Z240.10.1-94 "Recommended Practice for
Site Preparation, Foundation and Anchorage of Manufactured Homes."
PART 4
FEES AND REFUNDS
4.1
The fees required under this By-law shall be in accordance with the Fees Policy.
PART 5
COMING INTO FORCE
5.1
This By-law is to come into force and take effect on the date of its enactment.
5.2
Chapter 37 of the by-laws of the Town of Bridgewater, approved April 1, 1987, is
hereby repealed and this By-law substituted therefor.
5.3
Chapter 168 of the by-laws of the Town of Bridgewater, approved September 9,
1994, is hereby repealed.