zorra-now-spring-2025-web

TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT INFORMATION TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT INFORMATION 4 Zorra Now | Spring 2025 Zorra Now | Spring 2025 5 Any building or drainage questions should be addressed to Mike Hughes, Chief Building Official/Drainage Superintendent 519-425-2306 or mhughes@zorra.ca Building Department *New* 2024 Ontario Building Code The 2024 Ontario Building Code came into effect on January 1, 2025. These significant updates impact building designs, safety standards and construction. For more information on the updates, please visit the following resources: • Ministry of Municipal Housing and Affairs (https://www.ontario.ca/page/building-code-updates ) • Township of Zorra Building Webpage (https://www.zorra.ca/our-services/building-and-drainage/information-and-resources/ ) • Ontario Building Officials Association (OBOA) (https://www.oboa.on.ca/ontariobuildingcode) New Building and Drainage Department Webpage The Zorra Building Department has launched a new webpage (https:// www.zorra.ca/our-services/building- and-drainage/) making it easier for the building community to find information about building project requirements, the application process, associated fees and additional helpful information and resources. You can apply for a building permit and book a building inspection right from the webpage. Closing Building Permits It is the responsibility of the applicant or property owner to book a final or occupancy inspection when your building project is complete. Mandatory building inspections are legislatively mandated by the Ontario Building Code, Division C, Subsection 1.3.5.1. Failure to closing your building permit in a timely manor may result in forfeiting your building deposit or an additional fee. Additional Dwelling Units 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 and Oxford County websites. • https://www.zorra.ca/our-services/building-and-drainage/information-and-resources/ • 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 the Building and Drainage Department at ext. 7224. Drainage Municipal Drains: A municipal drain is a system that moves water from your property and roads. Municipal storm drains can become clogged with fallen leaves, mulch, grass clippings and other debris. If you notice debris on a storm basin lid, you can clear it off with a rake or contact the Drainage Superintendent at ext. 7224 Public Works Department Any roads questions should be addressed to Steve Oliver, Director of Public Services 519-425-2302 or soliver@zorra.ca Reduced Load Season A reminder to all drivers of heavy trucks and equipment that the reduced load season takes effect from February 15 to April 30 inclusive each year. In accordance with By-law 21-03, signs will be posted on applicable Township roadways. Half Load Season Rationale • Minimize long term damage to infrastructure • Problems caused when roads are soft and often require major repairs • Prevent additional damage to culverts and bridges • Heavy loads do damage to road sub-base that is difficult to detect • Changes in the size of agricultural equipment i.e. large liquid manure trailers • Multiple aggregate producers in Township • Infrastructure repair costs borne directly or indirectly by residents • All of the above lead to safety issues during Half Load Season. Zorra Now – Spring 2025 *New* 2024 Ontario Building Code The 2024 Ontario Building Code came into effect on January 1, 2025. These significant updates impact building designs, safety standards and construction. For more information on the updates, please visit the following resources: • Ministry of Municipal Housing and Affairs (https://www.ontario.ca/page/building-code-updates) • Township of Zorra Building Webpage (https://www.zorra.ca/our-services/building-and-drainage/information-and- resources/) • Ontario Building Officials Association (OBOA) (https://www.ob oa.on.ca/ontariobuildingcode) New Building and Drainage Department Webpage The Zorra Buil ing Department has launched a new webpage (https://www.zorra.ca/our- services/building-and-drainage/) making it easier for the building community to find information about building project requirements, the application process, associated fees and add itional helpful information and resources. You can apply for a building permit and book a building inspection right from the webpage. Closing Building Permits It is the responsibility of the applicant or property owner to book a final or occupancy inspection when your building project is complete. Mandatory building inspections are legislatively mandated by the Ontari Building Cod , Division C, Subsection 1.3.5.1. Failure to closing your building permit in a timely manor may result in forfeiting your building deposit or an additional fee. Additional Dwelling Units ARUs are smaller, self-contained dwelling units (i.e., with their own kitchen, bathroom and sleeping areas) that r inside, attached to, or in a detached accessory build ng on the same property as a single detached house, semi-detached house, or street fronting town house . ARUs can take many forms, such as basement apartments, attached suit s, tiny homes and coach houses, but they must be smaller tha the primary reside tial u it, within a permanent building (i.e., not a m bile home or recrea tional vehicle), and connected to municipal water and s ewage services, where available. You can find more information about ARUs on the Township of Zorra and Oxford County websites. • https://www.zorra.ca/our-services/building-and-drainage/information-and- resources/ • 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 cont ct the Building and Drainage Department at ext. 7224. Drainage Municipal Drains: A municipal drain is a system that moves water from your property and roads. Municipal storm drains can become clogged with fallen leaves, mulch, grass clippings and other debris. If you notice debris on a storm basin lid, you can clear it off with a rake or 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 for s, 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 inform tion bout ARUs on the Township of Zorra and Oxford County websites. • https://www.zorra.ca/ ur-services/building-and-drainage/information-and- resources/ • oxfordcounty.ca/en/services-for-you/additional-residential-units.aspx If you are thinking about building an ARU, early consultatio with the Building Departm nt i recommended to help ensure that your project m e s ll the provisions and r quirements. Pl se contact th Building a d Drainage Department at ext. 72 24. Drainage Municipal Drains: A municipal drain is a system that moves water from your property and roads. Municipal storm drains can become clogg d with fallen leav , mulch, grass clippings and other debris. If you notice debris on a storm basin lid, you can clear it off with a rake or contact the Drai age S perintendent at ext. 7224 X X