Visitor Questions - Page 2

A contact form for questions is provided at the bottom of this page for anyone who would like to ask a question.

Anyone, who does not wish to have his or her question listed, please make a point of stating this, before asking your question.

Question:
What is the height of deck railing have to be to satisfy Nova Scotia building code? If your deck is more than 4 feet off the ground.

Answer:
I believe the minimum height of the railing is 2 feet 11 inches for a deck 4 feet above ground.
This is based on information from the Ontario Building Code. According to the section “Height of Guards”, a deck where the walking surface is not more than 5 feet 11 inches above the finished ground level and the deck does not serve more than one dwelling unit, the guard is permitted to be a minimum of 2 feet 11 inches high.
Please check with the Halifax building department to verify this height applies in Nova Scotia.

Question:
What do I need to do to get a General Contractor License?

Answer:
First, it is necessary to determine if a general contractor’s license is required.
In some places, a license is required, in order to work within a specific city, municipality or Province. Contact the local Building/Planning Department where the project is to take place. They will provide the information as to what types of local licenses are required.
For example: Ontario does not require that a general contractor be licensed to work in Ontario. However, some cities/ municipalities in Ontario have local by-laws, which require licenses in order to work in their city or town. For example: Hamilton, ON has a local by-laws regarding contractor licensing.
Quebec does require that a general contractor be licensed with the RBQ to work in Quebec.
In some cases, local by-laws required a general contractor to obtain a business license in order to work within the town or city. To work in Burnaby, BC a general contractor requires a Burnaby Business License.
Licensing when required applies to both commercial and residential general contractors. It applies to a one-person operation as well as to any company. There is also a fee charged. This will vary from place to place.

Question:
Can you send me the building code requirement for the entryway into a commercial business from the sidewalk level in your city?

Answer:
Your question covers many areas in the Ontario Building Code. Everything from door widths, entrance corridor widths, door hardware and so on. Since you mentioned sidewalk, the entryway for any new construction, must be a barrier free entrance (handicap accessible). Which means it must either be at sidewalk level (with a smooth transition) or a ramp is required that leads from the sidewalk. The codes can be quite lengthy. Can you be more specific as to what you are looking for?

Steve:
Thank you for the quick reply. I should have been more specific in my question by adding the city of Banff for my inquiry. Your reply was for the Ontario area. Do these requirements apply in Banff? Requirements you listed were for new construction. Do they apply to businesses already built? When did the law in Canada go into effect requiring businesses to be handicap accessible?

Answer:
Banff, Alberta follows the regulations set out in the Alberta Building Code. I believe that barrier free design was established in Alberta in 1997. Alberta also has a Safety Codes Act. In 2004, this Act was amended to include Barrier Free Design and Access as a regulation. The Act ensures mobility, etc. is considered when public buildings are built or renovated. It is my understanding that accessibility at the entryway from the sidewalk does apply to new construction or when the building is renovated. If a building already exists and its use does not change or it is not renovated in any way then it can remain as is. If you are considering opening a business in an existing building you are probably also considering renovation work. This could very well mean that not only will the entryway need to be handicap accessible but that the interior will have to meet the requirements as well. A building permit will be required. The best approach is to contact the Planning & Development Dept. in Banff, AB (403-762-1215) and explain exactly what type of building it is and what type of business will take place, as in offices, retail, etc. They will be able to provide you with the appropriate code requirements. Each province in Canada adopted Barrier Free Design as part of their provincial codes at different times.

Question:
I am building my own home and the floor is cement. I was told I don't have to use pressure treated wood 2x6 and I should just use non-treated wood and just put a gasket or foam on the bottom of the 2x6? Is that true?
Personally I thought that everything that touches cement has to be pressure treated wood.

Answer:
It depends on where the wood is located, in relationship to the ground. The issue is protection from decay and dampness.
When the wood meets the concrete and the wood is at or below ground level, it must be treated to prevent decay.
When the wood is supported on concrete and the concrete is in contact with the ground (and the wood is not at or below ground level) it does not need to be treated. However a special material/ film is required between the wood and concrete. This is for protection against dampness.
If the wood is at least 6 inches or more above the ground the dampness protection is not required.
You can contact your Town Office at 709-497-8533 for more information. Or contact the planning department at the Town of Labrador City (709-944-2621).

Question:
Does Canada or the Provinces require a commercial builder to have a general contractor license?

Answer:
If the commercial builder is a general contractor, a license is required in some Provinces, Cities or Municipalities. For example: Ontario does not require that a general contractor be licensed to work in Ontario. However, some cities/municipalities have their own local by-laws, which require local licenses. Quebec does require that a general contractor be licensed with the RBQ, to work in Quebec. If the commercial builder is a developer, he can hire a general contractor or act as the project manager for the project. As a project manager, the sub-trades hired for the project, which require licenses, such as the electrical, plumbing, or roofing contractor, must have a license. Contractor licensing will vary within places in a province or for the province itself. Contact the local Building Department for where the project is to take place, to determine the local licensing requirements.

Question:
Is there a minimum amount of square footage for 2 people to live in the same apartment?

Answer:
There are rules regarding the occupancy for apartments, based on the type…bachelor, one bedroom, etc. The square footage is based on codes for residential housing and established at the time the building was built. For example, a unit that was designated as a bachelor apartment has the square footage to accommodate one person. Legally, the landlord can only rent a bachelor apartment to one person. The Tenant Protection Act gives landlords and tenants specific rights and obligations. The Act is overseen by the “Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal”. The ORHT number is 1-888-332-3234.

Question:
We are building in an unorganized township, therefore no permits required for building, however, we purchased plans but want to make sure that the snow load requirements are adequate before proceeding, I have made many calls to the townships in that area and searched endlessly on the internet, is there not certain snow load requirements for certain areas, we are building in the Parry Sound/ Muskoka in Ontario and have designs for a home with a 12/12 pitch. Please can you help? Can I download this information as well?

Answer:
Yes there are snow load requirements.
There are standards and formulas in the Ontario Building Code. I suggest that you contact the Huntsville Building Department (37 Main St. E.) 1-705-789-1751. They should be able to answer your question based on the info in the OBC.
Or contact the OBC at 416-585-6666 (Toronto) or go to their website (type in OBC-Home, it should come up as the first listing) and ask a building code question, as in ‘what are the snow load requirements for a home with a 12/12 roof pitch for the Muskoka area?’
Or consult a structural engineer in your area, even though you are building elsewhere. The Huntsville Building Dept. should be able to recommend an engineer close to Huntsville.

Question:
Could you please answer the following questions in the province of New Brunswick do you have to be a licensed electrician to replace a light fixture and a licensed plumber to replace a bathtub and and taps. I have looked all over for this question to be answered and I am getting mixed reviews, your answer would be greatly appreciated.

Answer:
In New Brunswick a licensed electrician or a licensed plumber must be used when an electrical permit or a plumbing permit is required. A permit is not required when a light fixture, bathtub or faucet is replaced, providing there is no change to wiring or piping. I suggest contacting the Fredericton Policy and Planning Division Manager at
506-460-2110 for an “official” confirmation.

Visitor Question:
Could you please e-mail me if there are building codes for deck re-construction in North Western Ontario. Please advise me if there are codes for railing height and spindle spacing for cottage decks. Is the railing and spindle spacing different for different heights of decks?

Answer:
The Ontario Building Code applies to all areas in Ontario. Railings and spindles on cottage decks must comply with the code.
Section 9.8.8 of the Ontario Building Code provides information on the height of guards (railings) and the opening in guards (placement of spindles) for exterior decks. The height and spacing is different for different heights. Guards are also required on exterior stairs with more than six risers. I was not able to locate anything specific regarding decks or deck reconstruction for cottages. However if the railings must comply with the code I believe that the deck construction for a cottage, if attached to a building, must also comply. Even reconstruction means the wall anchorage, foundation, joists, etc. on the deck must comply with the code standards.
I suggest consulting with the building department near the cottage. You can give them exact details on the existing deck and I’m sure that they will be able to assist you with the reconstruction.

Visitor Question:
I am building a log cabin in northern Ontario and planning to install a wood cook stove. Where can I find regulations and quidelines on how to install, dimension clearances from interior walls, heat shields, etc.

Answer to Visitor:
I would appreciate it if you could provide some further information.
Is it a new model or an old (antique) one?
Is there an upper section to it?
Do you plan to use it for cooking or heating?
Are you planning on doing the installation yourself?
Thank you.

Visitor: Don
Thank you for responding. Answers to your questions are as follows:
-The stove is a new Pioneer Maid wood cook stove
-There is an upper section that is the warming oven/compartment
-We are planning to use it for cooking and heating as the log cabin is approx. 860 square feet is size.
-As the stove weighs over 500 lbs. I am having the dealer deliver and install the stove c/w the stainless steel vent stack thru the roof.

I am planning on installing 1/2" thick stone or ceramic tile on the floor under the stove. I am trying to find a rear heat shield to protect the wall that the stove will back onto. One dealer says the back of the stove must be a minimum of 25 inches off the wall and another dealer says that if he can find a heat shield that the distance can be reduced to somewhere around 18 inches. Due to the layout of the kitchen, I would prefer the minimum distance. Regardless, I was thinking of installing stone or ceramic tiling on the wall behind the stove. If this is not suitable, I may have to go with clay/refractory bricks. Hope this is of some help.

Answer:
I am glad to hear that you are planning to install a new model, as an old one could pose health and fire problems. Also I am glad that you have chosen to use an installer. Please ensure that the installer is a certified technician and that there is general liability and errors and omissions insurance.
You should also determine if you require a building permit and have the building department or fire department inspector in the area do a final review of the installation. This is not only for safety reasons but it could also play an important role in your insurance policy.
I believe that stone and ceramic tile (providing that the ceramic tiles have a fire rating label) are both an acceptable choice of material for floor and wall. A stainless steel panel on the wall would be an appropriate heat shield although perhaps not as appealing.
The Ontario Building Code does state that the stovepipe must be double steel wall. Otherwise there does not appear to be any other specific guidelines. I contacted the OBC and was informed that a wood cook stove must be designed and installed in accordance with the CSA B365 Standard. (Canadian Standards Association). Please contact them at 1-866-797-4272. I am sure that they will be able to answer your questions regarding the heat shield and distance required.
Don’t forget to install smoke detectors and have a fire extinguisher near the installation.

Visitor Question:
I was wondering if I had to install a bathroom in a fast food take out restaurant that is 580 sq. feet?

Answer to Visitor:
This will all depend on the location of the fast food take out restaurant.
If it is in a mall, located in the food court area, within 200 feet of the public washrooms, a washroom will not be required in it. If it is on a street location, within a building, where there are public washrooms, a washroom will not be required in it.
If it is in its’ own building or in an outdoor plaza, a handicapped unisex washroom will be required.
For more information, please contact your local building department in Sydney or the applicable town. There is a listing under the province of Nova Scotia in the heading “Building Depart.” in the column shown on the left.

Visitor Question:
Who is the permitting authority for the town of Okotoks, AB?

Answer to Visitor:
The town of Okotoks, Alberta has been added to the listing of building departments for Alberta.
See the province of Alberta under the “ Building Depart.” heading at left.
Drake Landing Solar Community, Okotoks, AB has also been listed under the heading “Electricity”.

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Visitor Questions - Page 1