The Design Coordinated Application (DCA) program helps speed up building permit applications for eligible residential projects with engineered structural drawings.
Program eligibility
The DCA program is available to Members of the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association (MHBA) and other applicants building a new house.
Eligible projects
- New single-family house construction
- House additions
- House renovations
Not eligible for the program
- Duplexes
- Rowhouses
- Stacked dwelling units (up down)
- Secondary suites
- Projects located within development policy areas that are subject to unique bylaws, regulations, or guidelines, including:
- Floodway fringe
- Waterway
- Airport vicinity
- Downtown
- Heritage
Many of these approvals are obtained during the development permit process and may be audited under the building permit application. Use the development policy search tool to confirm if your property is affected. The building permit will not be issued until the associated development permit is approved.
Program overview
A DCA must be sealed by a professional engineer licensed in Manitoba to confirm the full structural design meets applicable codes and bylaws.
As part of the DCA process, the City:
- Completes a full review of all non‑structural requirements for compliance with applicable codes and bylaws
- Audits the structural design of randomly selected applications
Confirm development permit and other supporting approval requirements before applying for a building permit.
How to apply
Follow the standard building permit application process and identify on the application that it is a DCA submission.
Processing timelines
The City commits to reviewing DCA building permit applications within five business days for a full permit, including foundation and superstructure.
These processing timelines apply to eligible applications that meet all submission requirements.
Note: Building permits must match prior development permit approvals or applications. The building permit will not be issued until the associated development permit is approved.
If the submission does not meet requirements or revisions are required, the application will be placed on hold until requirements have been met. This may affect review times.
Plan requirements
Plans submitted under the DCA program must clearly show how the building is designed and supported and must comply with applicable codes and bylaws. Plans must be drawn to scale and properly dimensioned. All plans must be sealed by a professional engineer licensed in Manitoba.
New houses & additions
Plans must include structural drawings that show how loads are supported from the roof to the foundation.
- Foundation plan
- Steel reinforcing details
- Footing or pile sizes with bearing pressure and/or skin friction values
- Large basement window opening details
- Basement brackets or similar supports
- Floor plans
- Window and door sizes
- Lintel and beam details over openings
- Room use and dimensions
- Floor framing layout
- Joist type
- Beam sizes and locations
- Building section details
- Wall, roof, and floor construction assemblies
- Tall walls
- Cantilevers
- Other non-standard construction
- Building elevations (grade to roof) for all sides of the building
Renovations
Plans for renovations must show both existing and proposed conditions and how loads are transferred to the foundation. A specific description of work, including the location of work within the building, is required.
- Foundation plan
- Existing beam sizes
- Telepost locations and load capacities
- Floor plans
- Window and door sizes
- Room use and dimensions
- Existing layout
- Proposed layout
- Framing layout, showing:
- Existing and proposed joist configuration
- Existing and proposed roof framing configuration
- Building section details, showing:
- Transfer of loads from the roof and floors to the foundation
- Wall, roof, and floor construction assemblies
- Building elevations (grade to roof) for areas being renovated
- All structural plans must be sealed by a professional engineer licensed in Manitoba, taking responsibility for the full structural design.
The submission must include the following statement, either on the plans or in a letter, under the engineer's seal:
"I have examined the full structural design of this building plan, including all load transfers from roof to foundation, and all supplier drawings of engineered products. I hereby certify that the structural components of this plan in respect of the materials and methods to be used, and the work to be done, as indicated on the building plans, meet all applicable codes and bylaws."
Note: If this statement appears in a letter or is noted on only one of the drawings, the following sentence, or an equivalent statement, must also be included:
"This declaration applies to pages ________ to ________ inclusive in this set of plans."
- A Professional Designer’s Certificate for Housing (PDCH) sealed by an engineer is required
- The certificate must be specific to the project address.
- Altering or changing any part of the PDCH form is not permitted.
Applicant responsibility
An applicant may be removed from the DCA program after three audit failures. An audit failure occurs when significant issues of non-compliance with the building code or a bylaw are identified.
Questions?
Get help by calling Permits Direct Line at 204-986-5140 or by visiting our contact directory.