BC Energy Step Code 

The Regional District of Fraser Fort George has adopted the BC Energy Step Code, which comes into effect April 1, 2022. The Step Code is a provincial regulation that local governments in British Columbia may use to require a level of energy efficiency in new construction that goes above and beyond the requirements of the soon-to-be updated BC Building Code.

BC Energy Step Code Bulletin

New Building Bylaw No.3239, 2021

Effective January 1st, 2022 - The Regional District of Fraser fort George is implementing its new Building Bylaw No. 3239 . Some notable changes you will see will be a $100 application fee with every application, a security deposit with issued building permits that will be refunded within 30 days of final inspection approval. Changes to permit extensions time lines and fees.  

What does this mean for me ?

Based on 2 storey Home (approx. 1000 sqft) with a value of $350,000	Current RDFFG Bylaw	New Bylaw No. 3239		Based on Garage (approx. 576 sqft) with a value of $29,000.	Current RDFFG Bylaw	New Bylaw No.3239
Application Fee	None	$100		Application Fee	None	$100
Building Permit Fee	$1564	$2070		Building Permit Fee	$232	$174
Security Deposit	None	$1000		Security Deposit	None	$250
Total Fees for issuance	$1564	$3170		Total Fees for issuance	$232	$524

Building Bylaw Bulletin.pdf

The new bylaw can be viewed on the December agenda: https://pub-rdffg.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=1846 

Electronic Inspections

October 1, 2021 All Building Permits and applications are now processed and approved through our New City Reporter software. This means you will be receiving email notifications when your permit is ready for pick up and when your inspections are completed. The inspection, pictures and details will be sent directly to the homeowner and/or contractor. 

Electronic Inspections Bulletin.pdf

Secondary Suites

March 1,2021 Dwellings that contain Secondary Suites must have Fire Separation between the individual units, this fire separation must be noted on plans when applying for a building permit, these details should include:

• Wall and ceiling details with fire separation and sound rating
(showing the variation used)
• Details and location of smoke and CO detectors
• Mechanical details

Building_Inspection_Bulletin_Secondary_Suites.pdf

Contaminated Site Identification

On February 1, 2021, several significant amendments to the Environmental Management Act, SBC 2003, c 53 (the “Act”) came into force and which resulted in a substantial overhaul of the Contaminated Sites Regulation, BC Reg 375/96 (the “CSR”). These changes reflect the efforts of the Province to streamline and clarify the process for addressing contaminated sites while addressing purported weaknesses within the previous regime through a mandatory investigation process for contaminated sites. 

With these amendments come a number of changes to the Act and applicable regulations that will impact application for subdivision, zoning, or a development or building permit with the Regional District.

Please visit the Province of BC website for more information at:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/site-remediation/site-identification