Get flood repairs ‘done right,’ city reminds Calgarians
CBC News | Posted: March 5, 2014 7:27 PM | Last Updated: March 5, 2014
Property owners must get permits, inspections to comply with safety codes
City officials are warning Calgarians to make sure they arrange for all the necessary paperwork as they move ahead with repairs on flood-damaged homes and businesses this spring.
Requiring permits and inspections by safety code officers is the only way the city can ensure construction work is up to code and meets applicable bylaws, the city said in a release.
Last June’s flood disaster left over 2,600 houses and other buildings in need of repair and the city anticipates many owners are now ready to put their recovery plans into motion.
As of last month, city safety code officers had completed over 4,000 inspections, approved 168 building permits and issued 1,973 trade permits.
“The numbers are encouraging, but are lower than anticipated,” said Kevin Griffiths, the city’s chief building development and approvals official.
“The safety campaign aims to remind property owners of their responsibilities before the spring construction season really begins.”
The city is also reminding property owners who have applied for the Alberta government’s Disaster Recovery Program (DRP) that the deadline to get permits is March 31.
Property owners who have not obtained permits before then might be ineligible for assistance from the DRP if there is a flood again this year, the city said.
Calgarians are encouraged to visit the city's website or call 311 for more information about permitting and inspection requirements.