Division C
Administrative Provisions

Part 1 — General

Section 1.7. change beginPermission to Occupy Buildings

1.7.1. General

1.7.1.1. Occupancy Permit Required
1) Except as otherwise provided in this By-law, no person shall occupy or allow the occupancy of any building or part thereof unless the owner has obtained an occupancy permit from the Chief Building Official.
2) No person shall occupy any building for a purpose other than the occupancy stipulated in an occupancy permit issued by the Chief Building Official.
1.7.1.2. Occupancy Permit
1) Every owner shall obtain an occupancy permit from the Chief Building Official prior to any
a) occupancy of a building or part thereof after construction or alteration of that building,
b) change in the major occupancy of any building or part thereof, or
c) change in the permitted occupancy within the same Division of the major occupancy Group, where the occupant load or the fire load has increased. (See Appendix A.)
1.7.1.3. Exemptions from Occupancy Permit
1) Despite the requirements of Articles 1.7.1.1. and 1.7.1.2., an occupancy permit is not required for
a) one or two-family dwellings, or
b) a change in the permitted occupancy within the same major occupancy classification provided the occupant load is not increased and no construction has taken place.
1.7.1.4. Posting of Lawful Use
1) In any building not requiring an occupancy permit, the Chief Building Official may post a notice which describes the uses to which the building may be lawfully put.

1.7.2. Occupancy Permit Process

1.7.2.1. Owner’s Obligation
1) An owner who wishes to obtain an occupancy permit shall file an application in the form required by the Chief Building Official.
1.7.2.2. Requirements for Occupancy Permit Application
1) The permit application requirements described in Article 1.6.2.2. do not apply to an application for an occupancy permit if the application includes
a) a letter from the owner declaring that the work complies with the By-law, the necessary permits have been obtained and the building conforms with the accepted plans, in any case where a professional is not required by Subsection 2.2.7., Division C, Book I,
b) the appropriate letters of assurance in any case where a professional field review is required by Subsection 2.2.7., Division C, Book I,
c) the anticipated date of completion,
d) the classification of the building,
e) the number of storeys in the building,
f) the gross floor area of each storey, and
g) the allowable live loads for each floor area.
1.7.2.3. Scheduling of Construction, Fire and Life Safety Systems Inspection
1) Prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit, the owner of a building shall call for and coordinate a final inspection of construction, fire and life safety systems in the building.
1.7.2.4. Requirements prior to Construction, Fire and Life Safety Systems Inspection
1) At least 24 hours prior to the final inspection for an occupancy permit, every owner shall submit to the Chief Building Official
a) proof of compliance with the By-law for all materials, equipment and methods of construction,
b) letters of assurance in the applicable forms attached as Schedules C-A and C-B, at the end of Part 2, Division C,
c) a contractor’s material and test certificate, certifying that the sprinkler systems have been flushed, inspected and tested,
d) a certificate of verification and a manufacturer’s inspection report for the fire alarm system,
e) a fire safety plan and record of installed fire safety systems, conforming to the Fire By-law, and
f) a letter from a fire protection consultant verifying that the special devices or methods forming part of the alternative solution achieves the alternative solution.
1.7.2.5. Requirements during Construction, Fire and Life Safety Systems Inspection
1) During the final inspection of construction, fire and life safety systems in the building, the owner of the building shall make available
a) a copy of the fire safety plan,
b) a copy of the record of installed fire safety systems, and
c) a preventive maintenance and testing schedule and a maintenance log book for the life and fire safety systems.
1.7.2.6. Notice of Change Prior to Occupancy
1) Every owner shall give notice in writing to the Chief Building Official of any change to the owner’s address or any change in the ownership of the building which occurs
a) prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit, or
b) prior to the occupancy of the building.

1.7.3. Partial Occupancy Permit for Building Under Construction

1.7.3.1. Partial Occupancy Permit
1) The Chief Building Official may issue a partial occupancy permit for part of a building which is under construction if, in the opinion of Chief Building Official, such partial occupancy would not jeopardize life or property.
2) The Chief Building Official may impose conditions on a partial occupancy permit.
3) The Chief Building Official may revoke a partial occupancy permit if the permit holder fails to comply with the conditions imposed by the Chief Building Official.
4) The Chief Building Official may revoke a partial occupancy permit if the owner fails to comply with any permit relating to the building.
1.7.3.2. Owner’s Obligation regarding Unsafe Conditions
1) The owner of a building for which a partial occupancy permit has been issued shall ensure that there are no unsafe conditions in the building.

1.7.4. Temporary Occupancy Permit

1.7.4.1. Temporary Occupancy Permit
1) The Chief Building Official may issue a temporary occupancy permit for a temporary use within an existing building, or for the limited use of a building approved according to Subsection 1.6.8. or as otherwise provided in this By-law.

1.7.5. Re-Occupancy Permit

1.7.5.1. Re-occupancy Permit
1) Every owner shall obtain a re-occupancy permit from the Chief Building Official prior to any occupancy of a building or part thereof in respect of which the Chief Building Official has issued an order to cease occupancy due to an unsafe condition.change end