Building Permit Application Efficiencies Workshop

Manufactured Housing Association of BC - 2018 Conference

Ken Kunka AScT, RBO

Building and Permitting Manager - Penticton

The purpose of this presentation is to familiarize the MHABC members with the roles of Building Officials and challenges

we face.

- Fact finding -

My hope is to develop a greater line of trust & communication to improve the relationships between Building Officials and home manufactures, suppliers and

installers.

Information presented today does not directly represent the opinions of the City

of Penticton or the Building Officials Association of BC.

Why do I do this?Idea *Design*Build Product

25 years – city and regional

Both sides of the counter

How can I(we) help make it better!

Building Official Building Official Building Official Building Official –––– why we do itwhy we do itwhy we do itwhy we do it

Serve Serve Serve Serve –––– Protect Protect Protect Protect –––– EducateEducateEducateEducate(client (client (client (client –––– owner/city owner/city owner/city owner/city –––– all)all)all)all)

Building and Licencing

City of Penticton

Advances the City’s mission as a livable ,

thriving, safe and sustainable City by guiding

how buildings are constructed, occupied and

businesses operate.

This is achieved by creating a quality business

and development climate in order to grow

the tax base.

Development Interaction

BOABC MISSION

The BOABC is dedicated to serving the best

interests of the public in building safety by

moving forward with the highest standards in

professionalism, competency and consistent

practice in the Building Community.

The Association’s motto is; “Promoting

Building Safety and Professionalism”

+ Energy efficiency?

Building Officials Association of BC

Association of over 700 members primarily

representing local government Building

Officials and those involved in building

design, construction, testing and research.

• has grown since 1954 from 24 members

situated largely in the Greater Vancouver

Building Officials Association of BC

Governance model

• Building Officials Act

1997

• President and Executive

Committee

• Representing 7 zones

• Executive Director,

Education Coordinator

Office administrator

BC Building Act2015 – Building Act legislation passed.

Dedicated to building and construction

• it's designed to modernize and

streamline the building regulatory

system.

BC Building ActMain changes:

• Consistency – BOABC & L/G

• Competency – BOABC & L/G*

• Innovation – Building Standards

Two-year transition period for section

5 of the Building Act started December

15, 2015 and ends December 15, 2017

Building Bylaw revisions – reduce

unique regulations.

BC Building ActMain changes:

• Consistency – BOABC & L/G

• Competency – BOABC & L/G

• Innovation – Building Standards

Four-year transition period for

building official qualifications started

February 28, 2017 and ends February

28, 2021

Challenge for small communities and

Regional Districts

Evolution of Building OfficialEvolution of Building OfficialEvolution of Building OfficialEvolution of Building Official• Scope of Work – many hats

• Customer Service

• Not Black and White - Code• Prescriptive to Performance

• Background - The Trades person • To Academic background

• Technology

• Third Party• Licensing Consumer Services (HPO)• Worksafe BC – Asbestos

• Certification

Plans exam

BC Building ActMain changes:

• Consistency – BOABC & L/G

• Competency – BOABC & L/G

• Innovation – Building Standards

*The Province will establish a review

process to accept and evaluate

innovative building proposals received

from individuals.

No specific confirmation of start date.

Challenges Building Departments Face

Who are we dealing with?-Manufacturer-

-Dealer--Installer--Owner-

What is a manufactured home?- manufactured unit-

- site built construction-foundation-cribbing-crawl-basement

garageporch/deck

commissioning of plmg/mechsite finishing

Layers of a Permit – Being PreparedZoning

Environmental Restrictions - DPServices

Building Code - changesBuilding Bylaw

Manufactured Home Bylaw

Stages of UseNew Manufactured Unit

- types & install variations -

Relocating Existing- condition of existing – climatic & zoning

Alterations- what voids certification -

Time Available- Quality of Submission –

- Frequency -- Knowledge of Certification* –

- Existing Condition for relocates-- Proprietary Products –

Permits -how long is too long?

- what are the ranges?-

C.O.P = average 2 weeks

Applications & Site Inspections- Quality of Submission -

- Knowledge of regulations–- changes on site -

- Existing Condition- relocate -- Proprietary Products -

Complaints after Occupancyworst case – structural collapse

plumbing not hooked upuncertified units – no labels

(letter of certification)

Challenge – Liability ExposureJoint & Several - Limitations Act - June 1, 2013,

• Basic Limitations Period (BLP) = 2 Years (from 2, 6 or 10yr)

• Ultimate Limitations Period (ULP) = 15 Years (from 30+yrs)

Challenge – Liability Exposure

Any new project that starts tomorrow will have a 15-year liability exposure for all parties involved. Toward the end of that 15 year period, what are the chances that the contractors or engineers

involved will still have insurance, assuming you can find them at all? But that is still a lot better than the 30-years we used to face.

Home warranty provisions?

Consumer Licensing exemption

Future of Codes• New Technology

• Alternative Solutions

• Energy Performance

• Energy Step Codes

• Climate Change – snow,floods & fires

Market Trends- Manufactured multi-family -

- Park models –- Tiny homes -

What challenges are you facing.

PerceptionDelays

Restricts Innovation

Extra rules - Extra Costs

Mixed messages

Perception of Building Dept.Perception of Building Dept.Perception of Building Dept.Perception of Building Dept.

1. CSA Z240MH

Inconsistency between & in jurisdictions.

(moving the goal posts)- level of knowledge –

- level of trust –- rules change -

- worst case scenario -

2&5 - Truss Design- know the climatic data –

RDOS 285 m Osoyoos to over 1300 m Headwaters

3. Proprietary Products(outside the box = more time &

potential liability)

6. CSA A277 on Steel frames

So how can it be better?So how can it be better?So how can it be better?So how can it be better?

Attitude toward each otherAttitude toward each otherAttitude toward each otherAttitude toward each other

Building Permit Process

Eliminate Waste

• Application stage

• Reduce revisions

Modern Building BylawsModern Building BylawsModern Building BylawsModern Building Bylaws

• Easy to read

• Consistent message• Limit unique requirements

• Outline responsibilities• Application & inspections• Occupancy

• Enforcement

Education and ConsistencyEducation and ConsistencyEducation and ConsistencyEducation and Consistency• Consistent lines of communication• Building Officials• Developers-Builders• Designers• Builders & Trades

• Workshops –webinars - guides• Open forum for design ideas• Standard details

Standardized forms and checklistsStandardized forms and checklistsStandardized forms and checklistsStandardized forms and checklists

Consistent requirements• What is a good application?• What is a good drawing?

Standardized innovation reviews

Standard forms

E-apply – Digital submissions

Complete package

Project Streams Project Streams Project Streams Project Streams ---- TrustTrustTrustTrust• Type A (clients)• Qualified Builder• Qualified Designer• Registered Professionals

• Type B (customers)• Home Owner• Occasional Builder

• Type E• Enforcement Projects

Qualify the people doing the work rather than the work they

are doing?

Thank you

Questions?

What do I believe is impossible to do in my field, but if it could be done would fundamentally

change my business.