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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Construction and Skilled Trades Month

This April, during Construction and Skilled Trades Month, take a moment to recognize the dedication and teamwork that it takes to transfer skills and knowledge from one generation to the next.

Construction Month is an opportunity to celebrate the many contributions that BC’s construction industry makes across our province, in every community, every day. When looking at building permit processing, having more skilled trades will lead to higher levels of quality work and reduce site deficiencies. Learn more at www.constructionmonth.ca/ 

Online Permit Applications

The Building Department is in the final stages of fitting out Cloudpermit as our main permitting system. This will allow for applicants to apply, upload documents, communicate and book inspections using one portal.

We hope to move most Simple permit types to online by the end of this summer and invite you to learn more at a Digital Open House – May 17 – stay tuned for registration information. All new Single family permit application will transfer to online only affective June 05, 2023.

CloudPermit

Digital Reviews

As a reminder the City has also moved to digital markup reviews using Bluebeam – upon permit issuance a copy of the approved permit set will be forwarded to the Owner/Agent with the expectation that one colour copy (to scale preferred) will be present on site at all times. This not only assists our inspection team but ensures all site workers are following the approved set to avoid costly mistakes caused but not referencing the approved permit set.

BlueBeam

Step Code Changes and Zero Carbon Step Code

Step Code requirements will be mandatory for all Part 9 and Part 3 buildings in BC, May 01, 2023.

Thankfully Penticton and our industry partners had taken a proactive approach in 2018, which will limit the changes now coming into effect Provincially.

Part 9 Residential will remain at Step 3 with Part 3 projects being bumped up to 2 from our current Bylaw of Step 1. We will be engaging with industry stakeholders to look at how the City will implement the Zero Carbon Step Code and required Bylaw amendments.

Renovations and additions will still follow prescriptive Code requirements. Please continue to monitor the City’s Green Build Webpage for more information.

Site Safety

Jobsite safety is a crucial item that all of us in the building industry should be aware of and it all starts with job site cleanliness.

We have been finding some project sites not only creating a nuisance to surrounding properties (blowing debris) but a tripping hazard for site workers and our Building staff. Building Officials can refuse to enter a site to conduct reviews under the WorkSafe BC Construction regulations.

We are counting on the site project leads to keep our staff safe!

Education Opportunities

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

Building Updates

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.