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Era Plus Design and Consulting
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“Great experience. Project was completed as discussed and within the timeline. Communication was excellent throughout the process. Definitely recommend and will use again!”
FAQs
Can I start construction while the permit is in the process or without permit?
No. It is illegal to start construction without obtaining a permit. You need to wait till you get approved drawings from the city. In case you have started such construction you need to hold on till consulting a professional and obtaining a building permit. Construction without a permit may contradict the zoning bylaw and building code. This will result in an unsafe living place for the people residing on the property.
How long a building permit is valid for?
The building permit is usually valid for 6 months. During this 6 months you need to start the work and book for inspection. If you cannot start the work during this period you may need to extend your building permit. However, there are some fees for extension.
What is zoning or zoning permit?
A building permit is consisting of 2 steps. The first one is the zoning approval. In this stage, the proposed project will be checked for compliance with the zoning bylaws. Each city and area has its specific zoning bylaw. When the zoning application is approved then the building examiners will check the proposed project for compliance with the building code.
Do I need a building permit for my deck?
The short answer is, that if your deck is not more than 60 cm (24 inches) above ground and complies with the zoning bylaw, then a permit is not required. You will require to obtain a permit when your deck is more than 60 cm (24 inches) above ground, attached to the house, more than 100 sq. ft, changing the existing deck footprint, or adding a covered roof above the deck.
What should I do if I have a finished basement without permit?
If you bought a house which came with a finished basement you can ask the city if the basement is finished with a permit. If you have finished your basement without a permit or you found that there was no permit for the finished basement that came with your purchased house; you must apply for a building permit. The construction without a building permit is called as-built and contravenes zoning bylaws and building code. In case of damage to the building, fire, or injury resulting from this construction the owner of the building will be held responsible. These violations will void your insurance coverage.
You can find more info on the FAQ page of our website.
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