Building Penticton 🔨

This is your chance to catch up on updates and changes to Building Department practices and processes. Please feel free to continue the discussion with us at buildinginfo@penticton.ca or 250-490-2571.

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Cold Weather Requirements

As the tempereatures start dropping, this is a good time to ensure all precautions against freezing are taken.

We all know this can have an adverse affect on footings, framing and interior finishes.  Precautions should be taken to ensure safety related to type and placement of heating and hoarding.

Exteriors should also be substantially covered prior to installing insulations.

See our Bulletins page or links below for more information.

Bulletins:  Cold Weather Bulletin and Exterior Protection

Online Permits ☁️

The City is moving permits to the Cloud! Currently new residential builds are live, such as Single Family Dwellings (SFD's), Duplex, Carriage house, Townhomes and Secondary Suites. More permits are in the works.

See our online guide when you're ready to apply as there are some important guidelines to review under "Prepare Drawings and Documents" section.

Online Guide

Reducing Red Tape and New BC Code Update Workshop

Please join the City of Penticton and guest speakers for an in-person collaborative industry workshop.

When: Thurs, Dec 7

Time: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm

Location: Penticton Trade & Convention Centre

Seating is limited, please register by November 30, 2023.

This in person workshop will focus on common challenges and ways to improve permit processes starting from land development proposals through to Occupancy. We will also review upcoming BC Code changes that affect Part 9 - Simple Building construction.

Program Benefits

By the end of the workshop attendees should be able to understand the basic principles for:

  • Planning and Building permit requirements for efficient plan review and site inspections,
  • Site Safety related site inspections, including changes to Asbestos removal,
  • City of Penticton Building and Zoning requirements – existing and proposed,
  • New Building & Plumbing Code related to Part 9 projects – Simple Buildings

Highlights include:

  • Common challenges faced in mid-density development & affordability
  • Overview of the recent Provincial legislation changes related to housing
  • Servicing and site development
  • Worksite safety - keeping a safe job site
  • Common mistakes found during plan reviews or site reviews
  • Permit and plan submission - possible changes to City regulations to streamline processes

Workshop is eligible for 6.5 CPD points

Register Here

Photo by Matthew Osborn on Unsplash

Suspended Garage Slabs over living space

The British Columbia Building Code makes no reference to suspended garage slabs or how to install them.

The concern is that moisture, caused by condensation or leakage, will eventually weaken the structural members and cause failure.

In order to approve a building permit for a garage containing a suspended garage slab, or wood framed garage floor with concrete topping, owners or builders must ensure the following are submitted from a Structural Engineer.

  1. The engineered design and construction shall contain some form of water proofing system, and
  2. Insulation details reviewed by an Energy Advisor for the project.

This policy is consistent with other jurisdictions such as Lake County, Kelowna and RDNO.

Storm Drainage Systems Testing

In a recent Building Code Interpretation Committee decision, storm drainage systems are to be tested to conform to Sentence 2.3.6.1.(1). Tests and Inspection of Drainage or Venting Systems and a Registered Professional cannot exclude the requirements for testing.

Building and Plumbing Code Interpretations 2018

Expired Permits

Over the next few months staff will be reviewing active permits that are near to, or at permit expiry. You may be contacted, as the Owner or Agent of these projects. In the meantine, we request that you review your permit condition letter to see if you have any upcoming expired permits and reach out to your Building Official for closure or extension.

Permit Statistics 

We've added a snapshot with a graph of our residential permit statistics from January to October 2023.  

For specific information regarding issued permits, please visit our Building department webpage at Building Reports or through Property Inquiries

Permit Stats

Education Opportunities

Education and Workshop opportunities are posted on our "Building Updates" page

Building Updates

Have questions?  We're here to help.

Please contact the Building department at 250-490-2571 or email with any questions.

Email

The City of Penticton prepared this bulletin as a service to members of the construction industry. These bulletins will be issued as required to highlight news and developments relevant to the industry in Penticton. Questions about this bulletin or building in Penticton can be directed to buildinginfo@penticton.ca.