WINNIPEG - March 2, 2012 - Through collaboration with the building design and construction industry, the City of Winnipeg is introducing innovative changes that will expedite building permit application and inspection times in Winnipeg, eliminating the backlog previously experienced by builders during the City's recent construction boom. The proposed improvements will also ensure a high level of building code and By-Law compliance is maintained ensuring the safety of customers, builders and owners.
The 2012 Building Permit and Inspections Services Improvement Strategy and Action Plan that is being put forward by the public service in a report to City Council identifies three key strategies that support the goal of reducing permit issuance and inspection processing times. These include:
- Working with industry to improve the quality of permit application and building plan submission, specifically the completeness of application and compliance with codes.
- Increasing permit processing and inspection service capacity through:
- employing an audit based approach to residential permit application plan submissions and inspections; and
- increasing reliance on professional seals and declarations associated with permit application plan submissions and inspections.
- Increasing accountability for code compliance on the part of professionals and trades working in the construction industry.
The implementation of this strategy and action plan will have a significant impact on a wide variety of permit types, as well as the current application processes for design professionals, developers and established residential home builders and tradespersons licensed by the City.
An audit approach was identified in the Mayor's Red Tape Commission Report as a key strategy for improving permits and inspection services while maintaining requirements for code compliance.
"As a result of working collaboratively with industry representatives, our property and development staff have come forward with a balanced strategy that provides for an improvement in the permit and inspection process without compromising the safety and security of our citizens," said Mayor Sam Katz.
"We believe that the proposed audit based approach presents a better way of accomplishing timely and efficient residential permits and inspections," said Mike Moore, President of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association (MHBA).
"We are very encouraged by this approach, and will do our part in advocating for this change with our clients and adapting to the new process," said Randy Clegg, President of the Winnipeg Construction Association.
The detailed Strategy Action Plan will be considered by the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development on Tuesday, March 6, 2012. The public service report will be available on the City's Decision Making Information System at winnipeg.ca/CLKDMIS