Changes to Building Department Permits and Inspection Services

As directed by Provincial Regulation made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
_________________________________________________________________

Effective January 14, 2021 the Town of Magnetawan is temporarily halting inspections of non-essential construction projects as determined by the Government of Ontario. This decision is in accordance with the Provincial Regulation made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, which requires all non-essential construction projects to cease construction

This decision will be in effect until further notice and will be updated pending further direction from the Province.

Essential construction projects include:
• Construction projects and services associated with the healthcare sector
• Construction projects and services required to ensure safe and reliable operation of critical provincial infrastructure
• Construction activities related to production or maintenance of personal protective equipment, medical devices, and other products directly related to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic
• Residential construction projects where a footing or above-grade structural permit has been granted, or where the project involves renovation to residential properties and construction was started before April 4, 2020
• Construction and maintenance activities necessary to temporarily close construction sites that have paused or are not active and to ensure public safety.

A complete list is available on the Government of Ontario’s “ list of essential workplaces “

Permit applications will continue to be reviewed for all types of construction. Building Permits will be processed but not issued.

Inspections will only be carried out on construction deemed essential by the Provincial Order above. Inspections for residential construction will continue where building permits have been issued and construction has started by January 13, 2021 for single family dwellings, semi-detached, townhouses, condominiums, mixed-use and other buildings, and alterations to residential properties where construction work started before January 13, 2021.

As always the final decision to inspect is that of the Building Inspector.

1. Applications for permits and requests for other services can be e-mailed to the Chief Building Official cbo@magnetawan.com and/or the Deputy-Chief Building Official Building.Inspector@magnetawan.com
2. All mail, applications on paper, drawings, letters etc. will be treated and quarantined for a minimum of 48 hours.
3. Processing of applications and requests for services will be conducted electronically, as much as possible.
4. Inspections --- Open construction sites will be inspected subject to workers on site being symptom free and practicing social distancing. Also active sites will be required to answer a series of questions to qualify for inspection services.
5. Interior inspections of buildings including Occupancy Inspections and Final Inspections are subject to a positive response to the following questions:
   1. Have you been out of the country in 2020. If yes --- when?
   2. Have you been out of the province in 2020. If yes --- when?
   3. Have you been tested for Covid 19. If yes --- When?
   4. Do you show any symptoms of the Covid 19 virus i.e. coughing, fever, etc.?
   5. Have you been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the Covid 19 Virus?
   6. Are you self-isolating for reasons noted above?
   7. How many people occupy or are in your building, they will be required to answer the above noted questions.

NOTE: The final decision to conduct inspections is that of the Inspector.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT LEVEL OF SERVICE BASED ON OUR ABILITY WITHIN THE CURRENT LEVEL OF
CAUTION.

THIS POLICY WILL BE REVIEWED ON A WEEKLY BASIS AND/OR REVISED AS REQUIRED.