Building Permits for Solar Domestic Hot Water

Systems

Ted Van Vliet

Toronto BuildingOctober 1st, 2008Presented at Solar Neighbourhoods Contractor Workshop

Presentation Outline

• Who we are

• Ontario Building Code and Zoning By-laws

• Building Permit Applications and Submission Requirements

• Questions

Toronto Building: Who we are and What we do...

Who we are and What we Do:

Toronto Building:• Enforce the Ontario Building Code, the

City of Toronto's zoning by-laws and other applicable law, including:

• Reviewing Building Permit applications;• Issuing Building Permits; and,• Conducting Inspections

Divided into 4 Administrative Districts within the City of Toronto

District Office Locations and Contact Information

Toronto and East York DistrictToronto City Hall100 Queen Street West416-392-7539Wards:14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32

North York DistrictNorth York Civic Centre5100 Yonge Street416-395-7000Wards:8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 23, 24, 25, 26, 33, 34

Etobicoke York DistrictEtobicoke2 Civic Centre Court416-394-8002Wards:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 17

Scarborough DistrictScarborough Civic Centre150 Borough Drive416-396-7526Wards:35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44

Why get a Building Permit for SDHW Systems

• To avoid structural failure of the building;• Fire Protection;• To ensure that the system will not

separate from the building;• To avoid contamination of potable water;• To avoid water damage

• i.e. leaky roof, improper water shedding, improper plumbing connections

Because it is a legal requirement!!!

When you need a Building Permit

• Construct a new building • Any addition to an existing building • Structural alterations • Renovate or repair a building • Make new openings for, or change the

size of, doors and windows • Install or modify HVAC systems

• New or altered plumbing • An accessory structure larger than 10

square metres in area

The Ontario Building Code and Solar Domestic Hot

Water Systems

Building Code Objectives

• Safety• Health• Accessibility• Fire, Structural, Water & Sewage

Protection of Buildings• Resource Conservation• Environmental Integrity• Conservation of Buildings

Building Code Requirements

• Structural Sufficiency: • Requirements for Housing - Part 9; • Requirements for Large Buildings – Part 3 and/or Part 4

• Plumbing Connections; Collector Design and Installation Requirements:• Part 7 for all buildings

• Fire Protection• Part 3 and 5 for all buildings

Packaged vs. Non-Packaged SDHW Systems

• ‘Packaged’ System (Off the Shelf) :• Equipment must conform to CAN/CSA-F379.1 • Installed in conformance with CAN/CSA-F383

• ‘Non-packaged’ Systems (Custom Design):• Designed and installed in accordance with

‘good engineering practice’

Zoning By-laws and Solar Domestic Hot Water

Systems

Zoning By-laws

Zoning By-laws set out rules governing land use and the placement of buildings on a lot. It states exactly:

•Land and building uses; •Building size, height, or density; •Location of buildings and other structures;•Minimum lot sizes and dimensions.

Zoning By-law Requirements for Solar Energy Devices

For zones that allow dwelling units:

• When located on a building, it is subject to the zoning requirements for the building on which the device is located; and,

• When not located on a building, it is subject to the zoning requirements for an accessory or ancillary building or structure on a lot in which the device is located.

Sample Zoning Requirements

Requirements for the Main Building

Front Yard Setback 6.5m

Side Yard Setbacks 1.0m

Rear Yard Setback 9.5m

Building Height 9.0m

Requirements for Accessory or Ancillary Structures

Must be located behind the main building

Side Yard Setbacks 0.3m

Rear Yard Setback 0.9m

Building Height 4.0m

Applying for the Building Permit

Requirements for Submission

• Application forms;• CSA Certification documents or

alternative solutions documentation;• Building and Site Plans (2 copies); and,

• Payment of Building Permit Fees

In many cases, separate permits are required for Plumbing and Structural work

• Building Permit Application Form• May require 2 applications

• Designer Information Sheet

• Declaration for Time Frames

• Tree Declaration Form

Required Forms:

Designer Requirements• Since 2006, the Ontario Building Code has

required that all plans are prepared by a ‘qualified person’• Qualified person is:

• A Licensed Engineer; • A Licensed Architect; or, • A person who has passed exams prescribed by the

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

• Professional seals/stamps or BCIN numbers must appear on all submitted documents and plans

• Homeowners who prepare their own plans are exempt from qualification requirements• However, the City has the right to ask for an Engineer

to prepare or review plans as necessary

Requirements for Plans

2 copies of:• Site Plan;• Roof Plan; • Building Elevations;• Details on the Hot Water Tank and all new and

existing Plumbing Connections;• Sufficient information should be provided on all

plans to deem compliance with the Ontario Building Code and Applicable Laws

• Toronto Building has the right to ask for information deemed necessary to determine compliance with the Ontario Building Code and other Applicable Laws

Sample Site Plan

Sample Roof Plan

Sample Elevations

Connection and Piping Details

Photo Credit: NRCan

CSA Certification Documents• For Packaged

Systems a copy must be provided as part of the application – including all supporting documents

• CSA certification information may be required for equipment in other types of installations

Alternative Solutions• For Packaged Systems that do not have

CSA certification, design alternatives may be considered• Most alternatives require an Engineer to prepare;

• Alternatives must demonstrate equivalent or superior performance to systems certified under CAN/CSA-F379.1;

• Toronto Building may be able to ‘certify’ plans in some cases;

• If received; approval of alternative solutions or certified plans are good in Toronto only, and may be heavily restricted

Payment of Fees

• Fee By-law is currently being reviewed for SDHW permits

• Fees for small residential installations is $92.94 (includes all permits)

• For more complex installations and certified plans, additional fees may be charged

All fees must be paid prior to the issuance of a Building Permit!

Building Inspections

Open for Discussion

• The City is required to inspect all work for which a Building Permit is issued;

• It is the responsibility of the permit holder to ensure the Building Inspector is notified that work is ready to be inspected;

• Any deviation from the approved permit plans, may result in work being stopped

For copies of Forms and Other Information

Please visit our website at

www.toronto.ca/building

Questions ?

Toronto and East York DistrictToronto City Hall100 Queen Street West416-392-7539

North York DistrictNorth York Civic Centre5100 Yonge Street416-395-7000

Etobicoke York DistrictEtobicoke2 Civic Centre Court416-394-8002

Scarborough DistrictScarborough Civic Centre150 Borough Drive416-396-7526