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Elections/ CSRD General Local Election/ Issues

Building Codes

Raised by Melanie Beckett, candidate for Director 2026 September 20

The CSRD Electoral Area D does not have building regulation and inspection services except for septic, gas and electrical

This means if you build a home, barn, or commercial structure you are not required to get a building permit from the (CSRD) or have a local inspector review your work except for the aforementioned. Provincial law dictates that all structures must still be built strictly according to the BC Building Code.  It is entirely the homeowner's or builder's legal responsibility to ensure structural engineering, framing, and insulation comply with provincial standards. 

Where the candidates stand

  • Dennis LaPierre
    Director

    This Electoral Area has long opposed having to obtain building permits.

    Melanie is correct in her presentation of the facts. This electoral area has long opposed having to obtain these permits. That is not to say not having one would lead to shoddy work. There are many very lovely homes in the area, all of which were no doubt build to Code. People expect this and can ensure the work is done by privately hiring an inspection service to review the work. Similary, I expect mortgage lender will often insist the building meets Building Code standards. In my own case, when we bought our farm in 1992, I hired an inspector to evaluate the house and tell me what it needed. It was valuable information and I used that information to complete several renovations to make our house our home.



  • Melanie Beckett
    Melanie Beckett
    Director

    Opposed to the introduction of mandatory building inspection services

    Having built a home with alternative materials (hemp), I can't imagine the battle we would have had to go through in order to actually build. There was very little room in the code book for any variation on building materials even if they're superior. I know others also enjoy this freedom.

Discussion

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Dennis Lapierre Candidate for Director 2026 Sep 24, 09:44

Melanie is correct in her presentation of the facts. This electoral area has long opposed having to obtain these permits. That is not to say not having one would lead to shoddy work. There are many very lovely homes in the area, all of which were no doubt build to Code. People expect this and can ensure the work is done by privately hiring an inspection service to review the work. Similary, I expect mortgage lender will often insist the building meets Building Code standards. In my own case, when we bought our farm in 1992, I hired an inspector to evaluate the house and tell me what it needed. It was valuable information and I used that information to complete several renovations to make our house our home.