Category: Notice Board

Just a quick word to our clients in the construction industry. We know that you're still out there, pouring concrete and swinging hammers, even if we're working from home.

Provincial regulations require inspections at set points in a build, and our inspectors will be available to conduct those mandatory inspections, even if we're not in the office.

We ask, however, that you do give us a bit more notice of a required inspection (which is indicated on your building permit.) This is because our inspectors will hve to travel from home to obtain a company vehicle - so a day's advance warning at the very least is politely requested.

To arrange an inspection, please email one of our inspectors directly. If calling by phone, please allow a little more time for the forwarding magic to work.

Michael Hall | michael.hall@snbscs.ca | 466-7369 ext 2
Vern Faulkner | vern.faulkner@snbsc.ca | 466-7369 ext 3

Construction sites aren't the most congested places, but we will be diligent in ensuring social distancing during our time on your site or (in the case of residential final inspections) your home.

To those who are still on-site, we respect the work you do, and thank you for doing it. Please stay safe.

This is a busy time for people wanting to build, and we want to make sure you can get shovels in the ground as soon as possible. The simplest way to make that happen is to call our Planning Department early in the planning process, because we can identify potential challenges such as:

• Septic system approval
• Need for wetlands access permits in watersheds and near water
• Setback requirements from major highways (If building within 15 m of Routes 1,3,4, 127, 170, may need DTI variances)
• Height limitations of accessory buildings in a municipality
• Land-use restrictions in both municipal and some rural areas
• Changes code requirements in an existing building if changing use

(It should be noted that many of these potential obstacles are bylaws set by municipal governments, provincial regulations, or building code regulations, not the Service Commission.)

We tell our clients it takes three-five business days to process a permit, but if all the preparation has been done, that will make turnaround much easier. The last thing we want is to receive a permit application and only then identify a potential obstacle.

Our professional staff are trained to help you navigate a path through provincial and local regulations and get you to your building goal. The best way to help us do that is to call us first, not last. Our number is 466-7369.