Commercial Part 3

All permits related to Commercial, Multi-Family, and Industrial buildings falling under Part 3 of the MB Building Code must be obtained from our office. Part 3 Buildings are buildings classified as Group A, B or F-1, or exceeding 600 m2 in building area or exceeding three storeys in building height and have major occupancies. Group C (residential), Group D (office/service), Group E (retail), or Group F-2, F-3 (medium- and high-hazard industrial).

All permits are reviewed by the following departments:

1. Planning - for land use issues such as:

   1. permitted uses
   2. yard requirements
   3. parking and loading requirements

   Where a use is not permitted, parking stalls numbers are insufficient, etc., there are processes to get these requirements changed or amended. These processes can involve rezoning the land, applying for a Conditional Use or applying for a Zoning Variance, etc.

2. Development Services - for building code issues such as:

   1. architectural
      1. fire protection
      2. environmental separation
   2. structural
   3. mechanical

   Compliance to the building code is mandatory. Any waiver of a code requirement is not permitted, however, alternatives that meet the level of performance required by the code may be permitted. (see MBC - Division C - Section 2.3 Alternative Solutions)

What types of plans are necessary for a permit submission?

Building plans are required to be drawn to scale. They must also indicate the nature and extent of work or proposed occupancy in sufficient detail to establish that, when completed, the proposed occupancy will conform to the code (Division C - Article 2.2.2.1). In order for the RRPD to issue a permit in a timely manner, it is important that proper information and documents be submitted at the time of the application. If information is missing or if code deficiencies are noted, these issues should be addressed as quickly as possible so that the issuance of the permit is not unduly delayed. An application for a permit does not mean that you are entitled to a permit or that a permit will be issued. Only through a demonstrated compliance to the building code and to all other applicable regulations will a permit be issued. Plans submitted for an application to build shall include:

1. Status or Certificate of Title

   A current copy (within 30 days) of the Status or Certificate of Title must be submitted. Where there has been a recent change of ownership, a signed letter is required from your lawyer stating who the purchaser and seller are and that the purchase documents have been forwarded to the Land Titles office for registration.

2. Letter of responsibility for inspection and certifications

   1. Fire protection – Part 3
   2. Structural – Part 4
   3. Environmental Separation – Part 5
   4. Mechanical – Part 6

3. Site Plan showing:

   1. All buildings and dimensions of all building
   2. Dimensions from building to building and to property lines
   3. Parking, loading, and fence details, etc.
   4. North arrow for building orientation
   5. Street and lane locations, including access routes for firefighting
   6. Location of fire hydrants and sprinkler connection, catch basins, etc.

4. Architectural drawings:

   1. Sealed, signed and dated by an Architect. For A3 and F occupancies - Architect or Professional Engineer are permitted
   2. Building design summary
   3. Building area (new & existing), building height and location of firewall
   4. Floor layout(s)
   5. Building elevations
   6. Building section details
   7. Building wall details, including fire test assembly reference, flame-spread rating
   8. Stair, guard and handrail details
   9. Door schedule, including size, rating and hardware

5. Structural drawings:

   1. Sealed, signed and dated by P. Eng.
   2. Foundation, floor(s), roof plans
   3. Structural details
   4. Design loads, including snow, dead, live & wind loads
   5. General notes, including soil conditions, material standard references; concrete, wood, steel

6. Mechanical drawings

   1. Sealed, signed and dated by P. Eng.
   2. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning details
   3. Fire dampers/fire stop flaps, etc.
   4. Make up air and exhaust

Two complete sets of plans are required.

Requirements

1. Application Form
2. Site Plan (must include building, parking, landscaping, aisles, loading spaces, exits and entrances, etc) Site Plan - A site plan is a bird’s eye view of a property that is typically drawn to scale. A site plan should include:
   • All Property lines, plus their dimensions
   • Outline of existing and proposed buildings and structures with dimensions including accessory structures
   • Distance between all buildings (eave to eave)
   • Distance between proposed structure and property lines (setbacks) to wall
   • Easements (if applicable) found on your status of title
   • Parking lots, indicating parking spaces (commercial only)
   • Driveways
   • North Arrow
   • Surrounding streets
   • Landscaped areas (commercial only)
   • Well and Septic Field Locations
3. 2 copies of professional / designer sealed construction plans (current within 1 year of application)
4. Energy Code Review by the Prime Consultant
5. Status of Title (current within 30 days of application)

   Status of Title - Our office requires a current copy of your status of title before any building or structure may be placed on the property. The status of title must be current within 30 days of making application and can be obtained from the Winnipeg Land Titles Office at 276 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg MB or by calling 1-844-737-5684.

6. Commercial Application Review Fee

   Plan Review Fee - A plan review fee must accompany all applications. Residential and Commercial Plan Review fees will be applied against the final cost of the permit upon issuance. Plan Review fees are non-refundable. If the permit has not been issued within 6 (six) months of application date, the application is void. Payment options are debit, cheque or cash.

7. Site Development Permit
8. Letter of Authorization (Required if someone is filling out the application on behalf of the owner) Letter of Authorization - An authorization letter gives a third party permission to act on the owners behalf. In the event that the owner is not making the permit application, the owner will need to draft a letter providing the name of the persons authorized to make application for required development permit for proposed work to be completed. Letter must be signed and dated.
9. Letter of Assurance