Building Standards

Building Bylaw

The Town of Arborfield has a valid Building Bylaw, Bylaw No. 2/90 with Amendment Bylaw 2018-005.
The purpose of the building bylaw is to provide for the administration and enforcement of The Construction Codes Act, The Building Code Regulations, the National Building Code for Canada (NBCC) for buildings, ministerial interpretations and Sask. Construction Standards Appeal Board orders and building official orders within the municipality.
The Construction Codes Act (CCA) came into force on January 1, 2022 and such, all municipalities in Saskatchewan have a mandated Building Bylaw as of January 1, 2024.

How to apply for a building permit?

In order to apply for a building permit, you will need to complete a building permit application.
Application forms are at the Town of Arbrofield Office, or online and some of the information required includes:

Applicant name and address
What you are applying for with a detailed description of the use of the land/buildings and a description of proposed development
Legal land description
Estimated starting and completion dates
Site & building drawings, including dimensions and land features
Technical reports or studies that may be requested (depending on type and location of proposed development)

Types of Buildings that Require Permits:

New building construction (residential, commercial, industrial) greater than 10m2
Garages and carports
Decks (in some locations decks not more than 600mm above the adjacent ground surface may not need building permits)
Modular homes
Renovations, alterations and additions to an existing building
Demolition of an existing building
Relocation of an existing building (a relocation inspection will be required)
Basement development in a dwelling unit
Wood burning fireplaces, stoves and heaters
Retaining walls where the wall is retaining more than 42" of grade
Change of use or occupancy of a building
Work to remedy an unsafe condition or building official's order
Temporary buildings

Costs for a building permit

There is no administrative cost to apply for a building permit.
The building official inspection fees are based on different variables:

Value of Construction (total cost of the building to the owner in its completed form and includes the cost of all building work, materials, systems, labour and profit)
Square Footage
Intended Use of Building (commercial or residential)

Tips & Tricks

Know your plan before applying for a permit to keep costs to a minimum (less plan/inspection reviews = less fees)
Know your materials/estimated expenses (value of construction)
An assessment value of your building and/or improvement will eventually be included with your land taxes assessments. Having an accurate value will limit surprises upon a re-evaluation year from SAMA.
Allow a reasonable time-line; unscheduled inspections may cost an extra fee

Understanding responsibilites & process

Building Owner is responsible for compliance
Municipality is responsible for administration and enforcement
Government is responsible for legislative framework and enforcement
Building Officials work for the municipality
Design Professionals (architects & engineers) provide services to the building owners

Applicant submits appropriate building permit application and 2 sets of plans to the municipality office.
The application is reviewed by administration and forwarded to the Building Inspector (Municode). This process can take up to 2 weeks.
Administration will be in contact with you to inform you that your permit is ready for pick-up. Conditions may be applied as per the Building Inspector's discretion.
Upon approval and issuance of a permit, one set of submitted plans will be returned to the applicant and Building Fees will be owed to the municipality.

Building Inspector: Municode

Building Permit Forms & Guidelines

The Town of Arborfield has appointed MuniCode Services as building inspector.

Municode Services has over 30 years of direct involvement in building and fire code plan reiview and inspections for municipalities.
Their services include Plan Review, Inspection and Consulting

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Carbon Monoxide Alarms and Smoke Alarms

The Building Code Regulations (the BC Regulations) require carbon monoxide alarms and smoke alarms (or combination carbon monoxide-smoke alarms) to be installed in all residential buildings in Saskatchewan, regardless of the date the building was constructed.
Enforcement of this regulation did not begin until July 1, 2022, to allow you time to research, purchase and install these alarms in your homes.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)CO is an invisible, odourless, poisonous gas that is most often produced when fuel-burning appliances – like furnaces, boilers, fireplaces, stoves, clothes dryers and water heaters – malfunction. CO is also present in car exhaust.
Concentrations of CO can build up in homes, apartments or other residential buildings without you knowing it. Working CO alarms will alert you to its presence, allowing you enough time to leave the building and call 911. Without CO alarms, continued exposure to CO can lead to confusion, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, brain damage and death.
Visit SaskEnergy to learn more about CO and tips to keep you and your family safe.

SmokeSmoke from residential fires spreads quickly. Since a residential fire can become life-threatening in less than two minutes, working smoke alarms can alert you and your family so you have time to escape and call 911.
Visit the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency to download fact sheets about fire safety and how to check your smoke alarms.

Alarm TypesThere are many different types of alarms available to suit your circumstances and building layout:

Hard-wired alarms to detect CO and/or smoke;
A tamper-resistant, 10-year battery alarm to detect CO and/or smoke; and
Alarms that can be plugged into your electrical socket to detect CO.