Building Safety Month reminder: Norfolk County urges residents to get permits before building

May is Building Safety Month, a provincewide campaign led by the Ontario Building Officials Association to raise awareness about how building permits and inspections help protect public safety. Norfolk County is reminding residents and contractors to make sure permits are in place before construction begins to help ensure work meets Ontario Building Code requirements.

When permits are required

Permits are required for many common projects, including new buildings, home additions, garages, decks, structural changes, plumbing work, and septic systems. 
 
Building permits help ensure work meets safety standards under the Ontario Building Code and that required inspections are completed by a Norfolk County building inspector. 
 
Starting work without a required building permit is an offence under the Ontario Building Code Act. The County may order work to stop until a permit is obtained and any issues are corrected. In some cases, charges may be laid, which can lead to fines.

Recent Norfolk County building permit convictions

Recent Provincial Offences Court decisions highlight the importance of getting permits and following Orders issued under the Ontario Building Code Act. Three Norfolk County property owners were convicted of building without required permits and failing to follow Orders:

• A property owner was fined $1,125 for building without a permit and failing to follow an Order
• A property owner was fined $2,000 after building a home addition without a permit
• Property owners were fined $500 for failing to follow an Order after building a garage without a permit

In each case, the owners worked with County staff to address the issues and bring the structure into compliance. 

Learn more about permit requirements

With construction activity increasing in the spring, Residents are encouraged to contact Norfolk County’s Building and Bylaw Services before beginning any construction project.

For more information, contact Building and Bylaw Services at 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, or visit Norfolk County’s Building and Renovating webpage. Residents can also visit the Gilbertson Administration Building, located at 12 Gilbertson Drive, Simcoe, to meet with Building staff in person. 

Quote

Fritz Enzlin, Director of Building and Bylaw Services, Chief Building Official 
 
“Building permits protect public safety and help make sure construction work meets required standards. Skipping the permit process can result in fines, delays, or enforcement action. These recent court decisions reinforce the importance of getting approvals before building.”

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