May is Building Safety Month in Ontario, a time to recognize the vital role municipal building inspectors play in protecting our homes, workplaces, and communities.
“As building inspectors, we take pride in protecting the safety of our residents and businesses long before a building is occupied,” says Ryan Arcand, the County’s Chief Building Official. “Our team of building inspectors are highly skilled and play an important role in supporting our growing and evolving community by ensuring that our buildings meet the current building code and are safe for their intended use”.
The municipality’s Building Division plays a large role in keeping our community safe by reviewing and issuing permits for construction or demolition in both commercial and residential settings. Obtaining building permits protect the public and property owners by ensuring construction adheres to the minimum building standards established by the Ontario Building Code for life safety, health, fire protection, structural sufficiency, energy efficiency and accessibility.
To ensure public safety, building officials:
- Examine plans, drawings, and specifications for compliance with the Building Code and applicable laws before issuing building or demolition permits. Inspect construction projects to ensure work aligns with approved plans and code requirements and identify Building Code issues early—before they become costly or dangerous
- Conduct investigations and enforcement where construction violates the Building Code Act
- Act as a resource to educate homeowners, builders, and designers on building code regulations
Building safety is proactive, not reactive. Did you know that even small projects can have a big impact on safety? That is why permits are required before you start your project.
Building permits are a safety check; and required for all structures greater than 10m2 (unless the structure contains plumbing) or 15m2 used as accessory residential storage.
Other construction projects to be aware of that require a permit:
- Decks, porches, sheds
- Basement renovations
- Secondary suites
- Structural alterations
- Plumbing and septic system changes
- Wood stoves and fireplaces
- And more – please check with County staff before beginning your project.
Hiring a contractor? Residents must make sure permits are in place before work begins.
Apply for a building, demolition or plumbing permit using our online permit portal Cloudpermit, to learn more visit our website or visit us in person at 208 Picton Main St, 2nd floor, Picton. Open regular hours of Monday – Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm.
The cost of the permit will vary depending on the scope of the project. For more information on the Building Division, permits, or costs, please click here. Help us keep our community safe, one project at a time.
For more information, contact the County of Prince Edward Building Division at 613.476.2148 ext. 2040 or building@pecounty.on.ca.