Building News and Alerts
Permit Application Processing Times
Please be advised that due to current volumes of permit applications received, target application processing times are not being met. Staff continue to work diligently and are processing applications as quickly as possible. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, but appreciate your patience during this time.
New Development Cost Charge (DCC) Rates
Please be aware that changes to DCC rates are now in effect. The Regional District of Nanaimo implemented new DCC rates that affect building permit applications received on or after 2071-JUN-28; the City of Nanaimo adopted Bylaw 7252 on 2018-APR-23. Contact our office for details if you have questions about your application.
BC Energy step code seminar
BC Housing is offering Building Smart seminars that will help builders and designers understand the new requirements coming into effect 2017-DEC-15 in Section 5 of the Building Act.
Topics covered include:
- Introduction to the BC Energy Step Code
- Working with an energy advisor
- Requirements of energy modelling
- Airtightness testing
- Optimizing building envelopes and windows
- Choosing and sizing HVAC systems
Building Smart – BC Energy Step Code
Questions? Contact BC Housing for more information.
BC Housing
Phone: 604-439-4135
Email: technicalresearch@bchousing.org
Related links:
New sprinkler requirements for four-storey wood-frame buildings
All building permits for four-storey wood-frame residential buildings applied for on or after the date of 2017-JUL-20 will now require the installation of sprinklers on the balconies of the buildings. This is in accordance with a recent revision to the 2012 BC Building Code, which references the 2013 addition of the NFPA 13R.
Related links:
Questions?
Phone: 250-755-4429
New tree requirements
When building on a newly-created lot (recently subdivided) where owners are required by covenant to plant trees within 6 months of the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy, owners will be required to post a bond of $300 per tree at the time of building permit issuance. The bond monies will be returned when it is confirmed the trees have been planted.
The owner is responsible for maintaining the trees and for replacing trees that are removed as per the covenant conditions.
Questions?
Contact Patrick McIntosh, Urban Forestry Coordinator
Phone: 250-755-4460, extension 4357
New Building Bylaw
Council adopted Building Bylaw No. 7224, replacing Building Bylaw No. 5693. This was done to modernize the bylaw and bring it closer to compliance with the province's Building Act, which takes full effect after 2017-DEC-31. Most changes are administrative, but there are minor changes that will affect the construction community, as follows:
- Increased bond for a temporary building from $1,000.00 to $2,000.00 (to be in line with that of moving a building).
- Added in sheathing inspections in Section 17 in response to seismic changes in the Building Code.
- Changed the addressing provisions to state that addresses are required to be visible from the street, not necessarily just posted on the house. This was meant to target larger properties.
- Changed swimming pool fence height to mirror current Building Code requirements (bottom rail height has been raised to a maximum of 150mm from 100mm).
- Stand-alone greenhouses up to 300 square metres in area will now be exempt from fire sprinkler requirements.
The complete bylaw is viewable on our website.