Building By-law (By-law 057-2018)

Puslinch, Ontario

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THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PUSLINCH BY.LAW NUMBER 057.2018 A by-law respecting Building, Demolition, Conditional, Change of Use and Occupancy Permits, Payment of Fees, lnspections, Appointment of lnspectors and Code of Conduct which repeals By-law number 42105, as amended WHEREAS Section 7.(1) of the Building Code Act 1992, S.O. 1992, c.23, as amended empowers Council to pass certain by-laws respecting Building, Demolition and Change of Use Permit, lnspections and Fencing; AND WHEREAS Subsection 3.(2) of the Building Code Act, S.O. 1992 c.23, as amended, requires Council to appoint a Chief Building Official and lnspectors for the enforcement of the Building Code Act; AND WHEREAS Subsection 7.1(1) of the Building Code Act, S.O. 1992, c.23, as amended, requires Council to establish and enforce a Code of Conduct for Chief Building Official and lnspectors; AND WHEREAS Subsection 35(1) of the Building Code Act, S.O. 1992, c.23, as amended provides that the Act and Building Code supersede all municipal by-laws respecting the construction or demolition of buildings: NOW THEREFORE, the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Puslinch enacts as follows: 1. Short Title This By-law may be cited as the "Building By-law". Definitions 2.1. ln this By-law, Act means the Buitding Code Act, S.O. 1992, c.23, as amended Agent includes a person representing the owner by designation or contract and ináudes a hired tradesman and contractor who may be granted permits for work within the limitations of his licence. Applicable Law means applicable law as defined in the Building Code Applicant means the Owner of a property or Building who applies for a Permit or any person authorized by the Owner to apply for a Permit on the Owner's behalf, as defined in Division C, Article 1.3.1.2. of the Building Gode Application shall mean an Application to obtain permission to complete work under this By-law. Architect means an Architect as defined in Division A, Article 1.4.1.2. of the Building Gode. Building means a Building as defined in Subsection 1.(1) of the Act. As Gonstructed Plans means As Constructed Plans as defined in Division A, Article 1.4.1.2. of the Building Gode. Building Gode means the regulations made under Subsection 34.(1) of the Act. Change of Use means a Change of Use as referenced in Subsection 10.(1) of the Act. 2 3 Chief Building Official or G.B.O. means the Chief Building Official or his or her designate, appointed by a by-law of the Township, as described in subsection 1.(1) of the Act for the purpose of enforcement of the Act. Code of Conduct shall have the same meaning ascribed thereto in Section 7.1 of the Act. Council means the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Puslinch. Gonstruct means Construct as defined in Subsection 1.(1) of the Act and Construction shall have the same meaning. Demolish means Demolish as defined in Subsection 1.(1) of the Act and demolition shall have the same meaning. Designated Structure means structures designated for the purposes of clause (d) of the definition of Building in Subsection 1.(1) of the Act. Designer means a person responsible for the design activities described in 15.11. (5) of the Act. Engineer means a Professional Engineer as defined in Division A, Article 1.4.1.2. of the Building Gode. Farm Building means a Farm Building as defined in Division A, Article 1.4.1.2. of the Building Gode. lnspector means an inspector, appointed by a by-law of the Township, as described in subsection 1.(1) of the Act for the purpose of enforcement of the Act. Owner means an Owner as defined in Division C, Sentence 1.3.1 2.(3) of the Building Gode. Permit means written permission from the Ghief Building Official to perform work regulated by this By-law and the Act, or to change the use of a building or part thereof, or to occupy a building or a part thereof, as regulated by this By- law, the Act and/or the Building Code. Plumbing means Plumbing as defined in Subsection 1.(1) of the Act. Sewage System means a Sewage System as defined in Division A, Article 1.4.1.2. of the Building Gode. Township means the Corporation of the Township of Puslinch or the land within the geographic limits of the Corporation of the Township of Puslinch as the context requires. 2.2. Any word or term not defined in this By-Law shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the Act or the Building code. Any word or term not defined in this By-law, the Act or the Building Code, shatl have a meaning commonly assigned to it in the context in which it is used. Classes of Permits 3.1. The classes of permits with respect to the construction, demolition, occupancy, transfer, mechanical, plumbing, sewage systems, change of use including permit fees shall be set out in the Township's User Fees and Charges By-Law, as amended from time to time. 3.2. Building Permit A building permit is required under Subsection 8.(1) of the Act and may include plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, sewage systems, farm buildings and designated structures as set out in Div A, Sentence 1.3.1 1 (1) of the Building Code. 3.3. Demolition Permit A demolition permit is required under Subsection 8-(1) of the Act. 3.4. Conditional Permit A conditional permit may be issued in the discretion of the Ghief Building Official to authorize any stage of construction as per subsection 8.(3) of the Act, even though all of the requirements under subsection 8(2) of the Act have not been met. The registered owner shall enter into an agreement with the Township prior to a conditional permit being issued by the Chief Building Official as described in 8.(3)(c) of the Act. 3.5. Change of Use Permit A change of use permit is required under Subsection 10.(1) of the Act when a change of use is undertaken in a Building or part of a building, and it will result in an increase in hazard as determined under the Building Code even though no construction is proposed. 3.6. Occupancy Permit An occupancy permit is required under Division C, Subsection 1.3.3. of the Building Gode where all or part of a building will be occupied. 4. Administrative Procedures Related to Permits 4.1. Revisions to Permits After the issuance of a permit under the Act, notice of any material change to a plan, specifications, documents or other information on the basis of which the permit was issued, must be provided by the Applicant in writing to the Ghief Building Official together with the details of such change. The change shall not be made without written authorization by the Chief Building Official as required under Subsection 8.(12) of the Act. An applicable fee for this revision will be stipulated in the Township's User Fees and Charges By-Law, as amended from time to time. 4.2. Transfer of Permit Applications and Permits Where the ownership of land changes after a Permit Application has been submitted and fees paid or where a Permit has been issued, the Applicant for the Permit or the person to whom the Permit was issued, may submit a request to the Chief Building Official requesting a transfer of Permit Application and fees or the Permit as identified in Clause 7.(1Xh) of the Act by submitting the following information: (a) the name and address of the person to whom the Permit Application and fees or the Permit are to be transferred; (b) the name and address of any contractors that have changed from those listed on the Permit Application or the Permit; (c) the name and address of the Architect(s) and Professional Engineer(s) responsible for the design and field review of the Gonstruction that have changed from those listed on the Permit Application or the Permit; and, (d) name and address of the person who paid the Permit fees. 4.3. Revocation of Permits The Ghief Building Official, subject to provisions outlined in Subsection 8.(10) of the Act, has the authority to revoke a Permit issued under the Act. 5. Requirements for Applications 5.1. Building, Demolition, Conditional and Change of Use Permits Where an Application is made for a Building or Demolition Permit under Subsection 8.(1) of the Act, a Conditional Permit under Subsection 8.(3) of the Act, or a Ghange of Use Permit under Subsection 10.(1) of the Act, the Application shall comply with Division C, Sentence 1.3.1.3.(5) of the Building Code and be complete with documents and other information as required in this By-law. 5.2. Prescribing Forms 5.3 5.4 The forms required for an Application for a Permit, unless othenryise specified by the Chief Building Official, shall be those forms as set out in Schedule "A" of this By-law. Plans and Specifications Sufficient information shall be submitted with each Application for Permit to enable the Chief Building Official to determine whether or not the proposed Construction, Demolition or Ghange of Use will conform with the Act, the Building Gode and any other Applicable Law. Each Application shall, unless othenruise specified by the Ghief Building Official, be accompanied by two complete sets of working drawings and information as set out in Schedule "A" of this By-law. Alternative Solutions Where a person proposes the use of an Alternative Solution as defined in Division A, Article 1.4.1.2. of the Building Gode, the proposal shall: a) lnclude all documentation requirements as set out in Division C, Subsection 2.1.1 . of the Building Code, and b) be submitted on the Application form as set out in Schedule "A" of this By-law. 5.5. Inactive Permit Applications Where an Application for Permit remains inactive for six months after it is submitted, the Application may be deemed by the Chief Building Official to have been abandoned and notice thereof shall be given to the Applicant. Once an Application is deemed to be abandoned, it may be cancelled and a new Application will be required for the proposed work. 6. Payment of Fees 6.1. Fees for a required Permit shall be as set out in the Township's User Fees and Charges By-Law, as amended from time to time, and are due and payable upon submission of an Application for Permit. 6.2. The Chief Building Official has authority to determine fees in keeping with the scale of established fees for classes of permits not described in the Township's User Fees and Charges By-law. 6.3. An administration fee, where the occupancy of a Building, or part of it, has occurred without an occupancy permit being issued as required by Division C, Articles 1.3.3.1 ., 1.3.3.4., 1.3.3.5. of the Building Code, shall be as set out in the Township's User Fees and Charges By-Law, as amended from time to time, and is due and payable by the Applicant upon issuance of the occupancy permit. This administration fee is to compensate the Township for additional work incurred due to the unauthorized occupancy of the building. 6.4. An administration fee, where more than one stage inspection is required for a Building, or part of it, shall be as set out in the Township's User Fees and Charges By-Law, as amended from time to time, and is due and payable upon issuance of each additional inspection. This administration fee is to compensate the Township for when an inspection is requested and performed in connection with an existing permit and the work is not substantially complete or is substantially deficient in the opinion of the Ghief Building Official. 6.5. An administration fee, where any person has commenced Construction or Demolition, or has caused the Change of Use of a Building prior to receiving a Permit, shall be as set out in Township's User Fees and Charges By-Law, as amended from time to time, and is due and payable by the Permit Applicant prior to the issuance of the Permit. This administration fee is to compensate the Township for the additional work incurred due to the premature commencement of the Construction or Demolition, or the Ghange of Use of the Building. 7. Refund of Permit Fees ln the case of a withdrawal or abandonment of an Application, the abandonment of all or a portion of the work, refusal of a Permit or the non- commencement of any project, the Chief Building Official shall determine the amount of paid permit fees that may be refunded to the applicant, if any, in accordance with the following: a) b) c) d) e) 0 s) h) i) 8. As 80 percent (80%) if administrative functions have only been performed; 70 percent (7Oo/o) if administrative and zoning functions have only been performed; 50 percent (50%) if administrative, zoning and plans examination functions have been performed; 35 percent (35%) if Permit has been issued and no field inspections have been performed subsequent to Permit issuance; 5 percent (5%) shall additionally be deducted for each field inspection that has been performed after the Permit has been issued; No refund shall be made of an amount that is less than the minimum Permit fee applicable to the work; No refund shall be made after two years following the date of Permit application where the Permit has not been issued or one year following the date of issuance; No refund shall be made where a Transfer of Permit under Clause 7.(1Xh) of the Act has been granted; No refund shall be made where the Chief Building Official has revoked the permit under Section 8(10) of the Act. Constructed Plans The Ghief Building Official may require that a set of As Constructed Plans of a Building be filed with the Chief Building Official on completion of Gonstruction as described under Section 7(1Xg) of the Act. 9. Notice Requirement for lnspections As per Sentence 10.2 (1) of the Act, the Applicant or an authorized Agent shall notify the Chief Building Official of the prescribed notices under Division C, Article 1.3.5.1. of the Building Gode and the additional notices under Division C, Clause 1.3.5.2.(1Xb) and (j) of the Building Code as described below. a) Substantial completion of structural framing for each storey when the building is not within the scope of Part 9 of the Building Code. b) Completion of a building for which an occupancy permit is required under Division C, Article 1.3.3.4. Notice shall be given at least one business day prior to each stage of construction as described below: a) Notice may be given by telephone, email or in person. b) Notice must include the permit number, contact name, contact phone number, stage of construction and preferred time for inspection (morning or afternoon). 10. Appointment of Chief Building Official and Inspectors Chief Building Officials and lnspectors will be appointed by a by-law of the Township, as described in Subsection 3-(2) of the Act for the purpose of enforcement of the Act. 1 1. Code of Conduct The Code of Conduct for the Chief Building Official and lnspectors, as required under SubsectionT.1(1) of the Act, is set out in Schedule "8" of this By- law. 12. Severability Where a court of competent jurisdiction declares any section or part of a section of this By-law to be invalid, or to be of no force and effect, it is the intention of Council in enacting this By-law that the remainder of this By-law shall continue in force and be applied and enforced in accordance with its terms to the fullest extent possible according to law. 13. Approved plans on site As per Division C Article 1.3.2.2. of the Building Code one copy of the building plans used as supporting documentation for the building permit application that were reviewed and approved for construction or demolition by the building department shall be kept on site at all times until final completion of the building permit. Failure to keep approved plans on site will result in a failed inspection and at the discretion of the Chief Building Official may result in an inspection of works not ready fee as described in the Townshipns User Fees and Charges By-law. 14. Repeal and Replacement of Previous By-laws By-law number 42105 and all its amending by-laws are hereby repealed and replaced by this By-law as of the date and time of this By-law coming into effect. 15. Effective Date This By-law shall come into force and effect on January 1,2019 READ A FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD TIME AND FINALLY PASSED THIS 7tn DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018. Dennis Lever, Mayor ren Landry, CAO/Clerk SCHEDULE IIAII By-Law Number 057-2018 Required lnformation for Permit Applications The following is a list of plans, working drawings, information and forms that may be required to accompany applications for Permits according to the scope of work: Plans and Working Drawings Floor Plans Layout drawing of all floors with room names and uses specified includes structural details of beams, lintels, point loads, walls and floor systems includes location of windows and doors I ncludes sufficient information to determine Building Code compliance Foundation plan includes size of foundation walls, footings, piers and columns. Location of sump pits and floor drains. Renovations should indicate the existing and new parts of the building including areas to be renovated or demolished. Smoke/CO detector location Plumbing fixture location and type Attic and crawlspace access location b) a o o o o a a a o Roof Plan Provides size and shape of roof structure. I ndicates ventilation req u irements Size and span of roof framing members Roof slope Roof mounted equipment d) a a o a a Septic System Layouts Site plan to scale indicating all buildings, wells and structures. Calculations on type of building and type of sewage system proposed. Cross section of system. 0 a a a h) Architectural Drawings i) Electrical Drawings o SB-10load lighting calculations r) Fire System Drawings . Sprinkler and standpipe and hose drawings. n) Travel Distance and Exit capacity drawings a) a o a a a Site Plan Plan of building(s) including proximity to property lines, sewage systems, overhead / underground electrical lines and wells Easements Right of Way lncludes north arrow lncludes drainage plans where applicable Roof Truss Layout Plan lndicates location of trusses and spacing lndicates location of girder trusses lndicates span of trusses c) a a a Sections and Details I ncludes connection details Backfill heights Floor to floor heights Headroom height in stairs e) a o a a Building Elevations o for each wall o Show height of building and chimneys s) Structural Drawings Overall structural design loads i) a Mechanical Drawings Layouts and sizing for drainage, venting, water piping and ductwork. k) a m) Building Code Matrix . lndicatinq maior Ontario q) Forms o Application for an Alternative Solution . Commitment To General Reviews By Architects and Engineers o Energy Efficiency Forms (s), ie (SB-10 and SB-12) . MechanicalVentilation Summary Form o MDS I & ll information form. o) Alternative Solution . On approved alternative solution submission form. . ldentifies all areas of performance and levels achieved by the alternative and acceptable solutions. Building Code Compliance criteria p) lnformation . Spatial separation calculations o Fire protection reports o Building Gode Matrix lndicates travel distances to exits a Two sets of drawings shall be submitted on paper or other durable material. One full- sized set of drawings to a legible, recognized scale (minimum 3/16" = 1') and one I 1"x 17" reduced scale set of drawings are required. Two sets of 11"x17" drawings may be submitted if to a legible, recognized scale (minimum 3/16" = 1'). Electronic drawings may be submitted, or may be required to be submitted, at the discretion of the Chief Building Official. Where applicable, each page in a set of drawings must be sealed and signed by an Architect and/or Professional Engineer and/or stamped by a qualified/registered designer, licensed in the province of Ontario. All drawings shall be fully dimensioned, noting all sizes and types of construction materials to be used and their respective locations, all finishes to allwalls, ceilings and floors and all existing and proposed fire separations. Alterations, renovations and additions must differentiate between the existing Building and new Gonstruction being proposed. Site plans must include a north arrow, lot lines and existing easements. SCHEDULE IIBII By-Law Number 057-2018 Code of Conduct for the Ghief Building Official and lnspectors l. Purpose a) To promote appropriate standards of behavior and enforcement actions by all Building Department staff in the exercise of power or the performance of a duty. b) To prevent practices which may constitute an abuse of power, including unethical or illegal practices, by all Building Department staff in the exercise of power or the performance of a duty. c) To promote appropriate standards of honesty and integrity in the exercise of power or the performance of a duty by all Building Department staff. 2. Scope This policy applies to all Building Department staff The Gode of Conduct must provide for its enforcement and include policies or guidelines to be used when responding to allegations that the Code of Conduct has been breached and disciplinary actions that may be taken if the Code of Conduct is breached. 3. Contents Gonduct a) Always act in the public interest. b) Apply all relevant laws, codes and standards in an impartial, consistent, fair and professional manner, independent of any external influence and without regard to any personal interests. c) Maintain required legislated qualifications, discharging all duties in accordance with recognized areas of competency. d) Extend professional courtesy to all. e) Ensure interactions are in keeping with the Township's Corporate Values and associated behaviours. f) Maintain knowledge and understanding of current building practices, laws and regulations. g) Commit to continuous education. h) Comply with the Act, the Building Code and other applicable laws. i) Not divulge confidential or sensitive information except in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of lnformation and Protection of Privacy Act. 4, Breaches of the Code of Conduct A complaint regarding an alleged breach of this Code of Gonduct shall be submitted in accordance with the Township's Municipal Complaint Policy.