Zorra-Now-Winter2023

TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT INFORMATION Zorra Now | Winter 2023 5 Building Department Did You Know? All electrical installations, renovations, and alterations are required to have an electrical inspection. Electrical inspections are required by law and help protect the people in your home or building from electrical hazards. Electrical inspections are required to comply with the requirements of the Electricity Act 1998 and the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (Ontario Regulation 10/02). All electrical inspections are handled by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). Examples of work that require an electrical inspection: • New Homes, additions, renovations • Electrical service upgrades • Installation of equipment such as water heaters, heat pumps, air conditioning, swimming pools, hot tubs, etc. • Installation of outlets, switches, new lightning, smoke detectors (excluding battery-operated types) Please remember, you may still require a Zorra Township building permit for your project, but it is important that you do your research and contact the Electrical Safety Authority if required. To contact an Electrical Safety Authority representative, or to apply for an inspection, please call 1-877-ESA- SAFE or visit the ESA website at www.esasafe.com . Any building or drainage questions should be addressed to Mike Hughes, Chief Building Official/Drainage Superintendent 519-485-2490 ext. 7224 mhughes@zorra.ca Zorra Now – Fall 2023 The Building and Drainage Department is responsible for the administration and enfo Provincial legislation, polices and municipal by-laws including:  The Ontario Building Code Act  Drainage Act  Planning Act  Building Control By-law  Zoning By-law  Nutrient Management By-law  Fencing By-law The use of building permits allows for municipalities to regulate the types of construc and ensure that proper building standards are met. The enforcement of the Building protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. For more information on projects that require a building permit, please visit The Town Building webpage at zorra.ca/building-and-drainage.aspx. Additional Residential Units (ARUs) ARUs are smaller, self-contained dwelling units (i.e., with their own kitchen, bathroom ar as) that are inside, attached to, or in a detached accessory building on the same detached house, semi-detached house or street fronting townhouse. ARUs can take basement apartments, attach ed suites, tiny home s and coach houses, but they must primary residential unit, withi n a permanent buildin g (i.e., not a mobile home or recre connected to municipal water and sewage services, where available. You can find more information about ARUs on the Township of Zorra and Oxford Cou  zorra.ca/en/our-services/building.aspx  oxfordcounty.ca/en/services-for-you/additional-residential-units.aspx If you are thinking about bui lding an ARU, early consultation with the Building Depart recommended to help ensur e that your project meets all the provisions and requirem Mike Hughes, Chief Building Official at ext. 7224. Sanitary Sewage Systems Thinking about doing an interior renovation this winter? Examples of projects that require a building permit: • Interior alterations for non-residential units • Interior alterations for residential units if; a bedroom is created that will require an egress and smoke detector/carbon monoxide detectors, a garage is converted to a living space etc. • Finishing an unfinished basement and adding/removing plumbing fixtures and insulation. • Installation of solid fuel appliances (i.e. woodstoves and fire places) • Plumbing systems, heating, ventilation • Any structural changes or repairs (i.e. moving a structural wall) For a more detailed list of projects that require a building permit and projects that do not require a building permit, please visit the Building Department webpage at www.zorra.ca or co tact us at 519-485-2490 x 7231 Additional Residential Units (ARUs) ARUs are smaller, self-contained dwelling units (i.e., with their own kitchen, bathroom and sleeping areas) that are inside, attached to, or in a detached accessory building on the same property as a single detached house, semi-detached house or street fronting townhouse. ARUs can take many forms, such as basement apartments, attached suites, tiny homes and coach houses, but they must be smaller than the primary residential unit, within a permanent building (i.e., not a mobile home or recreational vehicle), and connected to municipal water and sewage services, where available. You can find more information about ARUs on the Township of Zorra a d Oxford County websites. • zorra.ca/en/our-services/building.aspx • oxfordcounty.ca/en/services-for-you/additional-residential-units.aspx If you are thinking about building an ARU, early consultation with the Building Department is recommended to help ensure that your project meets all the provisions and requirements. Please contact Mike Hughes, Chief Building Official at ext. 7224.