Comox Valley real estate permits apply to a number of different situations. For example, the Town of Comox Building bylaw applies to the design, construction and occupancy of new Comox Valley real estate buildings and structures, and the alteration, reconstruction, demolition, removal, relocation and occupancy or change of occupancy of existing buildings and structures. The bylaw goes on to state that no person shall commence or continue any construction, alteration, reconstruction, demolition, removal, relocation or change the occupancy of any building or structure, including excavation or other work related to construction unless a building official has issued a permit for the work. The Comox bylaw adds that every owner shall ensure that all construction complies with the Building Code, the bylaw and other applicable enactments respecting health and safety.
The City of Courtenay Building Bylaw similarly was enacted to regulate construction within the City of Courtenay. Their bylaw requires that a permit is required whenever work regulated under the bylaw is to be undertaken. The Comox Valley Regional District Building Bylaw regulates construction with the regional district. All Courtenay homes on the market are subject to this bylaw.
So why is this important? Let’s say that, as a Comox Valley homeowner, you want to perform an alteration to your home. Before doing so, it is important to consult with local authorities on the application of the local Comox Valley building bylaw and the related permit. Having a permit for the intended work is only a step in the process. After work commences they may be one or more inspections of the work before the work is completed. The inspections are done consistent with the current British Columbia Building Code and the planned work.
There are other forms of Comox Valley real estate permits as well. Let’s say that, as a Comox Valley homeowner, you wish to install a secondary suite in your home that you can rent out in order to help with the mortgage. Does the zoning that applies to your Comox Valley property allow for a secondary suite in your home? What are the local regulations for secondary suites? Are you planning to do the work yourself or hire a professional to do it for you? If you plan to do it yourself, are you well versed with the requirements of the current Building Code?
In addition to the considerations already mentioned, there is another reason why having the required permits for your property is important. When you plan to sell your Comox Valley home, the lack of a required permit is known in the Real Estate Services Act as a Material Latent Defect that must be disclosed by law to Buyers.