Planning Division – Inspections, Development, and Community Planning
Please note: This site's main content has been combined with the new SNBSC main website, snbsc.ca under Planning & Building Services. All content previously available here can be found there, with the exception of the Inspector's Notebook.
This site will now serve as the blog, or Inspectors Notebook only.
Our inspectors are challenged to ensure compliance with more than 1,000 pages of Code, and literally thousands of standards. That's a lot.
Yet there's a persistent myth out there that Codes change regularly ... and that's not quite accurate. In fact, some of the issues that arise on a regular basis are infringements of Codes that have been in place for decades.
Folks might remember the "top 10 infractions" of 2022 (https://snbsc-planning.com/top-10-code-infractions-of-2022/). Here's when the relevant codes came into effect:
1: Improperly installed/missing Carbon Monoxide alarms: 2005
2: Columns not anchored: 1970
3: Improper window installation: 2000/2005 depending on the issue(s)
4: Emergency lighting requirements: 1975
5: Improper lintel construction (spaced, jacks not running to underside): 1970
6: Insulation for plumbing in exterior walls: 2010
7: Wood screws not permitted in structural connections: 1970
8: Incorrect beam splicing: 1975 or 1980 depending on the issue.
9: Truss-to-top plate connection (three nails/hurricane ties): 1970
10: fence posts (4x4) used as columns: Not permitted since 1970
Here is a more complete (but hardly exhaustive) list of infractions and when the Codes to govern them came into play:
SNBSC, in partnership with Accessibility NB, is pleased to announce a one-hour presentation that will focus on
Led by Wendy Scott of Ability NB, this seminar will focus on the resources available from Ability NB, including on-site evaluations of existing buildings.
SNBSC Building Inspector Vern Faulkner will touch on building codes and some of the common issues found with new construction.
The two will also answer questions from participants.
WHO: Building owners and contractors
WHEN: May 31, at noon
WHERE: W. C. O'Neill Arena Complex, Saint Andrews
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact
Wendy Scott, Ability NB: (506) 462-9555
Vern Faulkner, SNBSC: (506) 466-2612
Effective Jan. 10, 2024, our building inspectors are requiring inspections before concrete is poured in a slab for any building with an occupancy (ie: anything other than a garage). This is to ensure the correct installation of insulation, vapour barrier, bond break, and radon pipe (if required.)
Of key note is the requirement for a bond break - this is a material that prevents adhesion of the slab to any frost wall, as required by Code.
Check out this downloadable guide for more: basement wall details (10-01-24)
One of the primary reasons for delays in obtaining a building permit come from clients submitting insufficient or incomplete plans.
Here’s what our inspectors will require – in general – for various projects. Note that scale drawings of all projects are required by provincial law.
Post spacings, footing details, post sizes (6x6 mandatory), beam construction details, joist details (size, span, spacing); drawing may be required for complex decks/structures.
Footing/frost wall details (or engineered slab plan), wall details, roof system details.
Floor plan mandatory, footing/foundation details, beam composition, joist (size, span, spacing), wall details (studs, sheathing, insulation, cladding), lintels, roof system (truss/rafter, insulation, sheathing, roofing material)
Neat, scale/scalable drawing of all floors, footing/foundation details, beam composition, joist (size, span, spacing), wall details (studs, sheathing, insulation, cladding), lintels, roof system (truss/rafter, insulation, sheathing, roofing material), beam and post details (if applicable) egress window locations, soil gas pipe location, slab insulation (if applicable/required). If there are interior stairs, details on this are required to verify rise/run.
Duplexes:
All of the above, plus fire separation details (referenced to Part 9 assemblies, ULC-tested assemblies, or Appendix D), with requirement for STC 50 between units.
Detailed plan of all floors in existing building required.
Digital scale drawings (i.e. phone-captured images of plans NOT accepted), details on all structural elements (walls/floors/footings/foundations/roofing, including truss plan), Code matrix required for all but simple renovations/additions/builds. All required fire separations must be referenced to Part 9 or ULC-tested assemblies, or be referenced to Appendix D. Note requirement for STC for residential suites adjacent to other occupancies. Ventilation details required. Calculations of spa
Changes of occupancy and minor alterations may be permitted without a professional plan in some circumstances, otherwise professional designer and/or engineer required by law. Code matrix required. Fire separations must be referenced to ULC-rated assemblies or Appendix D. Ventilation details required.
It’s a busy time of year, and not surprisingly, people want to get started on projects as soon as possible.
But before you start your building permit application, make sure you have all the information needed for our staff to begin working on it.
Every project needs building plans of some nature. But there are also a host of other things that ought to be considered.
Septic approval/re-approval: needed for any new build with plumbing, any build that is adding bedrooms. (GNB application here).
Site plan: required for *every* application. Show us where your building is. We need to know the distance to the side and rear lot lines, as well as the front of the lot - that's the front property line. Do NOT submit measurements to the centre of the street or road.
Wetlands permit: Check to see if your project requires a Watercourse and Wetland Alteration Permit, affectionately called a "WAWA" in the industry. The permit costs $25.
Setback certificate: If you are building within 30 metres of any pubic road, you need to contact the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure for their approval. Application form (verify this is up-to-date) Application form here. This must be submitted to DOTI, we do NOT process setback certificates.
Civic number: Many new residences require evidence of having applied for a civic number. Call toll free at 1-888-353-4444 or e-mail (NB9-1-1@gnb.ca) for assistance.
Our office has noted an uptick in house plans purchased from various American companies that essentially mass-produce house plans.
Do be cautious: there are a number of issues that can arise as a result of either differences between U.S. codes and the National Building Code, or as a result of climactic differences.
Examples include:
New Brunswick does not require a professional designer to create house plans, but if you are seeking aid of a designer, make sure the designer is familiar with - and able to design to - Canadian codes.
With warmer weather upon us, people are starting to work on various building projects they've been dreaming about all winter. With the new rules in place requiring that accessory buildings (ie: garages) of more than 55 square metres (592 square feet) must meet Code, we're seeing a lot of building permit applications - as one might expect. Help avoid delays by make sure that all building permit applications include a suitably detailed scale drawing of the construction. Our building inspectors will need to know things like
Other things to think about:
It's officially spring - we can tell at the planning office, because of the dramatic increase in permit applications for garages.
Effective Jan. 1, all accessory structures larger than 55m2 (592 square feet) must be built to the standards of the National Building Code of Canada - and that means that any accessory building of 55m2 (592 square feet) footprint or larger must have either
It's vital for applicant to realize that submitting a permit for an accessory building with a slab-on-grade foundation MUST include a drawing of the slab stamped by an engineer qualified to work in the province. If this isn't part of your application, it will delay the issuance of a permit.
More on slabs here.
Hey, Grand Manan folks:
As you may already know, our office is now providing planning and building inspection services for the Island. If you are on the island, and thinking about a summer construction project, it's important you be aware of the requirement for earthquake bracing throughout much of the province. (This has been a requirement since Jan. 1, 2022, so it's not new.)
About 2/3 of stick-build structures that are not accessory buildings will require earthquake bracing. To find out if your project is in that area, click on this link. That will take you to our interactive map. If your property is in the red area, it will require earthquake bracing.
For design guidance, see here.