|
CITY OF VANCOUVER ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT |
Date: |
August 30, 2004 | |
Author: |
C. Robbins | |
Phone No.: |
7535 | |
RTS No.: |
04493 | |
CC File No.: |
113 | |
Meeting Date: |
November 30, 2004 |
TO: |
Vancouver City Council |
FROM: |
Chief Building Official |
SUBJECT: |
General Amendments to the Vancouver Building By-law |
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT Council approve the amendments to the Building By-law as summarized in Appendix A of this report, and
B. THAT Council authorize the Director of Legal Services to prepare and bring forward for enactment the by-law amendments generally in accordance with Appendix A.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of A and B.
COUNCIL POLICY
Under the Vancouver Charter, Council may enact By-laws to regulate the construction of buildings and adopt a code relating to the construction of buildings, with additional changes that Council considers appropriate.
Article 1A.6.1.2. of the Vancouver Building By-law deals with administration and enforcement of the By-law.
Article 1A.8.1.1. of the Vancouver Building By-law outlines the provisions under which an occupancy permit is required.
SUMMARY
This report proposes changes to the Administration section of the By-law with respect to the scope of orders and to Section 1A.8. of the By-law regarding permission to occupy buildings. Specifically, it is proposed that:
1. The Building By-law be amended to allow the Chief Building Official to order a person to obtain a permit to do work, or to authorize or allow work when such permit is required;
2. The Building By-law be amended to clarify the requirements for obtaining an occupancy permit;
DISCUSSION
Permit required:
The By-law requires that a permit be obtained for work regulated by the by-law, however, it doesn't currently allow the Chief Building Official to issue an order requiring that a permit be obtained.
Occupancy Permits:
The by-law is clear that an occupancy permit is required for new construction, but is ambiguous with respect to a change in major occupancy classification, significant alterations and/or an increase in the occupant or fire load.
The amendments that are proposed may be classified as "housekeeping" in nature. These are minor amendments to streamline the enforcement process and simplify the administration of the occupancy permit process.
These "housekeeping" changes have no significant impact on the application of the by-law.
CONCLUSION
The proposed amendments to the Vancouver Building By-law will improve our effectiveness in applying the provisions of the by-law for permission to occupy buildings and for obtaining permits for work covered under this by-law.
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APPENDIX A
BY-LAW NO. __________
A By-law to amend Building By-law No. 8057
regarding miscellaneous permit requirements
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VANCOUVER, in public meeting, enacts as follows:
1. This By-law amends the indicated provisions of the Building By-law.
2. In Sentence 1A.6.1.2.(1):
(a) from the end of clause (f), Council strikes out "and";
(b) from the end of clause (g), Council strikes out the period, and substitutes ", and"; and
(c) after clause (g), Council adds:
"(h) a person to obtain a permit required under this By-law."
3. Council repeals Sentence 1A.8.1.1.(1), except for the title, and substitutes:
"1) A person does not need to obtain an occupancy permit for
a) a one-family dwelling or two-family dwelling, or
b) an alteration to an existing building unless the alteration
i) results in a change of major occupancy classification,
ii) exposes all or part of the structure of the building, or
iii) results in an increase in occupant load or fire load."
4. Council repeals Sentence 1A.8.3.1(1), except for the title, and substitutes:
"1) Except as otherwise allowed in Sentence 1A.8.1.1.(1), every owner shall obtain an occupancy permit prior to any occupancy of a building or part thereof after construction, partial demolition, or alteration of that building."
5. This By-law is to come into force and take effect on the date of its enactment.
ENACTED by Council this day of , 2004
__________________________________
Mayor
__________________________________
City Clerk
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