Building inspection will roll out in the South Shuswap in March 2019.
After receiving official approval from the Provincial Inspector of Municipalities, Columbia Shuswap Regional District directors unanimously adopted bylaws to include Electoral Area C in the Building Inspection Service Area.
The implementation date for the new service in Electoral Area C (South Shuswap) will be March 4, 2019.
Local governments provide building inspection to ensure that residential, commercial, industrial and public buildings meet the minimum construction standards set out in the BC Building Code. Building inspection provides the oversight required to ensure that the code is met and safety standards upheld. Building inspection also serves as a tool to implement and promote a community’s local planning goals. The CSRD’s goal is also to help citizens avoid costly and time-consuming pitfalls by providing permits, inspection services and advice on the Building Bylaw and the BC Building Code.
“This has been an interesting exercise in changing opinions over time. There is now strong support for building inspection in Area C, which is a complete reversal of a decade ago,” said Paul Demenok, Electoral Area C Director. “People have really realized the costs of not having it.”
CSRD building regulation and inspection services are already provided to the communities of Lee Creek, Scotch Creek, Celista, Magna Bay, Anglemont, and St. Ives in Electoral Area F (North Shuswap), Electoral Area B (Rural Revelstoke), and Electoral Area E (Rural Sicamous).
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After March 4, 2019, six individual building inspections will take place on all applicable new developments in Electoral Area C.
When creating the new building regulation and inspection service, the CSRD considered the existing building inspection service provided in part of Electoral Area F, as well as operations in other communities and best practices on implementing the BC Building Code. The CSRD decided on inspections at six stages of construction, as six is considered the minimum number necessary to adequately ensure adherence to the BC Building Code. By comparison, Revelstoke has 10 inspections, Salmon Arm requires eight (not including for fireplaces), while Sicamous also requires eight.
A number of CSRD board directors praised the addition of the service to Electoral Area C, especially in light of the benefit to public health and safety.
When followed, building inspection requirements help to ensure that buildings:
• Are structurally sound, with proper building frames and foundations;
• Provide adequate fire protection;
• Address issues concerning radon gas;
• Provide adequate exits in the event of emergencies;
• Are equipped with proper plumbing for safe drinking water and liquid waste disposal;
• Minimize hazards to prevent accidents.
Electoral Area C residents with questions regarding how building inspection may impact their specific property can contact the regional district building department at 1-888-248-2773, 250-832-8194 or email buildingpermit@csrd.bc.ca for assistance.
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