Building Inspection & Planning Services

Published: June 04 2008 14:40

The Town of Mulgrave shares building inspection, fire inspection and planning services with the Municipality of the District of Guysborough (MODG) . If you have questions or require building/ fire inspection services please contact Glenn Stirling by phone at (902) 533-3705 ext. 235. If you wish to have your land subdivided please contact Deborah Torrey at (902) 533-3705 ext. 222 or by email at .If you have any other inquiries regarding building/ planning services please contact the Town office at (902) 747-2243.

Who needs a Building Permit?

A building permit is required for all types of construction: building, renovating, demolishing or relocating. The only exemptions are accessory buildings (sheds) less than 215 sq ft and nonstructural repairs less than $5,000 in value.

What requirements are needed?

If your Building is required to have an on-site sewage system, you are responsible to ensure you have approval from the Department of Environment for a new onsite sewage system. It is also important that you inquire about the quantity and quality of water if you are planning to have a private well as a water supply. The Building Inspector requires you to provide a set of building plans with such details as the foundation (wall height and thickness and the footings width and thickness), columns, carrying beams, floor joists, bearing walls and roof trusses/rafters. A plot plan is also required with setbacks from any adjacent properties and street lines. On this plot plan you should indicate distances from any other structures that may be on the lot. There are areas in the town that are regulated by a land use bylaw which you should take in to consideration when planning your building and its location.You can get a copy of the application by visiting the Town Office.

How do I apply?

To apply for a Building Permit in the Town of Mulgrave you must visit the Town Office at 428 A Main Street between the hours of 8:30AM and 4:30PM with the required information. When you apply, you must have the following:

• a set of building plans
• a detailed plot plan
• Department of Environment approval (if applicable)

At the time of application, you must pay a permit fee which varies from one project to another, depending on the type of use and construction you are requesting.

When do I need an inspection?

Provincial Building Code Regulations require a total of five mandatory inspections. It is your responsibility to notify the Building Inspector that you are ready for the appropriate inspection, 48 hours in advance.

The Building Inspector will inspect during the following stages of construction:

• When footings are in place.
• When the foundation is in place and before the backfilling has taken place. b) Underground plumbing.
• When the framing, roof, plumbing and mechanical are in place but exposed for inspection.
• When the insulation and vapour barrier has been installed and remain exposed for inspection.
• Before occupancy of the building.
• Before you move into the new building you are required to call the Building Inspectior for an occupancy inspection to ensure that all work completed complies with the Building Code and no unsafe conditions exist. This is mandatory!

The Building Code

The Nova Scotia Building Code Act and Regulations adopt the 1995 National Building Code for use in all municipalities in Nova Scotia. The main purpose of the Building Code is to establish a uniform set of construction standards to help ensure your building is safe for structural sufficiency, fire protection and general building safety.

Permit Fees

The following schedule outlines the fees approved by council for building inspection/ planning services:

• $20.00 (Non-refundable) plus $2.00 per $1,000 triggers $2,500 value of alteration and repairs;
• $20.00 (Non-refundable) plus 2% of value for alterations and repairs or all other projects with a non-defined floor space;
• $20.00 demotions fee for demolition permits;
• $5.00 for renewals
• $150 administration fee for subdivision applications
• $20.00 (Non-refundable) plus $0.10 per sq. ft. for residential buildings, community centers and churches excluding unfinished basements;
• $20.00 (Non-refundable) plus $0.14 per sq. ft. for commercial and industrial buildings;
• $20.00 (Non-refundable) plus $0.04 per sq. ft for sheds, shell warehouses, garages, barns and other farm buildings;

After your application is completed and all of the required information and approvals are submitted, it will be reviewed by the appropriate staff to make sure that your proposed project complies with land use, engineering regulations, and the Building Code.