Ontario Construction News staff writer
Barrie officials have announced special procedures for permitting and municipal projects in light of the provincial government’s Stay at Home COVID-19 emergency regulations.
Barrie’s chief building official Michael Janotta has sent a memo outlining the city’s Building Department policies.
“We all have a role to play in addressing the serious public health risk created by the COVID-19 pandemic,” she wrote. “As community leaders, the City of Barrie is seeking a collaborative and reasonable approach with our construction industry partners regarding continued activity on both public and private construction projects within the city.
“In accordance with Ontario Regulation 82/20 and subsequent amendments by Provincial Order issued Jan. 12 , 2021, and effective as of 12:01am on Jan. 14, 2021, effective immediately the following additional restrictions are imposed on Building Department services,” Janotta wrote.
Building inspections will NOT be carried out on construction projects deemed to be nonessential as per the Provincial list.
This includes:
- All ICI construction, except as exempted as essential construction
- All residential construction except where:
o A building permit has been granted for a single family, semi-detached, and townhomes
o The project is a condominium, mixed use or other residential building, or
o The project involves renovations to residential properties and construction work that was started before January 12th, 2021.
“Please note the Building Department will continue to accept building permit applications and issue building permits for all building types through the City’s APLI portal. It must be noted that, notwithstanding a permit may be issued during this time, physical construction for these projects is not authorized (and inspections will not be done) unless they are deemed to be essential by the Emergency Order referred to above, or the Emergency Order is lifted.
The latest regulation which identifies exempt construction projects can be found here: https://files.ontario.ca/solgen-amend-8220-2021-01-13.pdf.”
