Month: May 2026

We would like to inform clients in our region that building permits or development approval is necessary for all solar installations, whether grid-tied or not.

Detached solar arrays

These require development approval to confirm compliance with zoning regulations, including setbacks from property lines. Arrays on small accessory structures, such as garages <55m2, or camps/cabins <58.06m2 in area only require development approval. Call our office for more details in such cases.

Roof-mounted solar arrays

Arrays mounted on buildings subject to code require building permits, as they are altering the building. Most notably, our office will require an engineer's sign-off if the modules are being added to a roofing system, in part because most trusses are engineered elements and the installation may affect roof loads or the integrity of the top chord of trusses.

Arrays on buildings within municipalities may also be restricted by zoning regulations.

 

 

It is important for constructors to recognize that a long-standing interpretation regarding partition walls in fire-rated construction has been re-evaluated and found wanting.

In general, construction requires that penetration of fire-rated assemblies has to be fire-stopped. However, it was long accepted that the top plate of demising walls can be butted to a joist or bottom chord of a truss, and fire-rated drywall butted to that assembly.

Unless the partition wall is similarly fire-rated, this practice represents an un-sealed penetration of a fire-rated assembly.

Acceptable alternatives are to construct the fire-separation and then install the partition walls:

Or, as noted, build the partition wall as a fire-rated assembly:

 

Code references:
9.10.5.1(1), 9.10.9.6(1)(a).

3.1.9.1, 3.6.4.2