The Municipality of Morris

MUNICIPALITY OF MORRIS-TURNBERRY
MUNICIPAL BUILDING DEPARTMENT
____________________________________________________________________________

Steve Fortier, C.B.C.O
Chief Building Official

The Municipality of Morris-Turnberry, as of April 1, 1987, has enforced a Building By-Law in compliance with the Ontario Building Code.

When Do You Require A Permit?
Building Permits are required for the following:
a) to construct, enlarge, install, repair, renovate or demolish a building or structure.

    b) definition of a structure: homes, farm buildings, manure storage facilities, work
        sheds, decks, porches, garages, swimming pools, commercial buildings, industrial
        buildings and apartment buildings, etc.

c) repair or renovation permits are required.

d) "CHANGE OF USE" Permits may also be required.

e) each and every building, including a building intended for farming purposes, must
have a separate permit.

f) roof repairs and eaves trough are exempt from permit requirements.

A Building Application Form should be printed off and sent back to the Municipal office by mail, fax, or in person.
OR
Building Application Forms can be picked up at the Municipal Office.

BUILDING FEES

THE MUNICIPALITY OF MORRIS-TURNBERRY

2009 Building Fees
(click above link to view the 2009 Building Fee Schedule)

Refund of Building Fees
(Click above link, to view Schedule of Refund for Building Fees)

To Obtain A Building Permit:

    - the owner or his authorized agent shall file an application in writing by completing a
      prescribed form available from the Chief Building Official or the Municipal Office. You
      can also obtain an application here, but it must be signed and faxed, mailed or
      returned in person to the Municipal Office.
    - the Chief Building Official will be happy to assist you in the preparation of the
      application.    Please feel free to contact him.
    - every application (except applications for interior alterations) shall be accompanied by
      a site plan illustrating the following:
    - proposed location, use, height, dimensions, and relationship to adjoining buildings
      and septic systems.
    - location and separation distance from the proposed building to any building or
      structure within 2,000 feet for permits for livestock housing facilities or buildings and
      manure storage facilities.
    - applications for a permit to constructing a main building on a lot in the urban areas
      of Morris-Turnberry require a lot drainage plan produced by a Drainage Engineer.
    - you are also required to submit 2 (two) sets of building plans and
     specifications with the application. One set will be returned upon approval and the
      second set will be retained by the Municipality. After the plans have been approved for
      construction and returned, NO changes may be made unless prior approval is obtained
      from the Chief Building Official.
    - all drawings and plans submitted must be in sufficient detail to enable the Chief
      Building Official to obtain full and complete information as to the extent and character
      of the work to be undertaken and to determine compliance or non-compliance to the
     Ontario Building Code and any or all other applicable codes and/or regulations.
    - for any industrial or institutional buildings, a set of engineered plans and specifications
      will also be required to submit to the Chief Fire Official for approval before a permit
      will be issued.

Other Codes And Regulations That May Affect Your Project

Depending on the location and type of construction, other agencies may require permits or approvals as listed below:

1. Huron County Health Unit
London Rd
Clinton, Ontario
Telephone: 519-482-3416

    - Septic Systems and Plumbing Permits
    - Approval for Restaurants and Assembly Uses
    - Liquor License Requests

2. Maitland Valley Conservation Authority
PO Box 127
Wroxeter, Ontario
Telephone: 519-335-3557

    - Fill and Construction Permits
    - Approval if near Slope or Hazard Lands
    - Building in Natural Environment Areas

3. Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority
R. R. # 1
Hanover, Ontario
Telephone: 519-364-1255

    - Fill and Construction Permits
    - Approval if near slope of Hazard Lands
    - Building in Natural Environment Areas

4. Electrical Safety Authority
Clinton, Ontario
Inspections: 1-800-813-5482
Service: 1-800-265-1728

5. Bell Canada
Stratford, Ontario
Business Office: 519-310-2355
Cable Locate: 1-800-400-2255

    - Location of Buried Cables
    - Telephone Installation

6. Ontario One Call Ltd.
Call Before You Dig.
905-709-1717
1-800-400-2255

7. Municipality of Morris-Turnberry
Roads Department
R. R. # 4
Brussels, Ontario
Telephone: 519-887-6137

    - Road entrance approvals from Municipal Roads

8. County of Huron
Highways Department
Courthouse
Goderich, Ontario
Telephone: 519-524-7412

    - Road entrance approvals from County Roads

9. County of Huron
Planning Department
Courthouse
Goderich, Ontario
Telephone: 519-524-2188

10. Union Gas
Sales and Service: 1-800-265-4173
Emergency: 1-800-265-4978

11. Public Utilities Commission
64 West Street
Goderich, Ontario
Telephone: 519-524-7371

    - Cable Locations
    - Easements
    - Heat Loss
    - Service Supply

12. Ministry of Labour
1-800-265-4707

    - Approvals for Industrial Buildings. Arenas, Retail or Office Space over
      557sq. m. (Building Coverage)

13. Ontario New Home Warranty Program
Flr. 2 – 150 Edna Kit
Kitchener, Ontario
Telephone: 519-744-0861

    - Notification and Enrollment in Program

14. Ministry of Natural Resources
Clinton, Ontario
Telephone: 519-482-3428

    - Building on or near a Watercourse

Responsibilities Of The Permit Holder:

1.    The permit must be displayed in a prominent place.
2.    A copy of your approved building plans should be kept on the construction site and be
       available for inspection.
3.    Inspectors must be able to examine the work you are doing. Therefore, the work
       must not be covered before the inspector has been notified and the required
       inspection made.
4.    If during construction, changes or modifications are necessary to the approved plans,
       the permit holder must contact the Building Official for approval of the changes.
5.    To ensure that the structure conforms to the Ontario Building Code and the approved
       plans, it is necessary to make inspections at the specific times. The Building Code
       suggests the following and makes it the responsibility of the permit holder to notify
      the Chief Building Official at least 48 hours in advance of starting the following
       stages:

Inspection Stages:
    - commencement of the building.
    - readiness to construct the footing and foundations and prior to backfilling.
    - structural framing - insulation - ductwork and piping for heating and air conditioning.
    - commencement of the construction of fireplaces and chimneys:
                - factory built fireplaces and chimneys.
                - stoves, ranges, space heaters and add-on furnaces using solid fuels and allied
                  chimneys.
    - completion of all fire protection systems.
    - completion of interior finishes and heating and ventilating.
    - completion of exterior cladding, fire routes and sites grading.
Inspections may also be carried out at the discretion of the Chief Building Official.

Note: Our Inspector can be a good source of information and can offer suggestions or help to solve problems. It would be a good idea if you, as the owner, or contractor can be there during inspections.

Why Are There Building Codes And By-Laws?

Building inspection is a service provided for your protection by the Municipality to ensure safe construction and renovation. These are established under the control of the Province to meet health, fire and construction standards. This process is for the safety and protection of the individual and the community as a whole. With this in mind it is hoped that you will endeavor to keep the Chief Building Official informed of your construction plans and in so doing, help to make this a pleasant and safe community in which to reside.

What Happens If You Build Without a Permit?

Building without a permit is against both Municipal by-laws and Provincial by-laws. As such the property owner is subject to the penalties as set out in the Ontario Building Code Act. Persons building without a permit may be subject to the issuance of a Stop Work order, a fine and or removal of work started at the expense of the landowner and an additional fee equal to 100% of the amount calculated as the regular permit fee, but in no case shall the additional fee exceed $5,000.00.

Special Requirements For Livestock Housing Structures

The Municipality of Morris-Turnberry has a comprehensive Livestock Housing and Nutrient Management By-Law. Please pick up a copy, your Chief Building Official is most willing to answer any questions and help in every possible way.

For Further Information Please Call The Chief Building Official, Steve Fortier
At The Municipal Office 519-887-6137