How to Get Your Shelter Approved
If you are planning to build a shelter on your property, you may be wondering what is involved and what sort of special permission may be required. In essence, adding a shelter is the same as adding any other accessory building, such as sheds or detached garages, requiring that certain steps be taken, including obtaining a building permit.
Why Do I Need a Permit?
In order to proceed with adding a shelter to your property, you will likely need to apply for a building permit. The purpose of this is to ensure that all additional structures are built to accepted health and safety standards as well as local zoning requirements. Some of the steps involved in obtaining a permit may vary slightly, as the rules for the size and placement of accessory buildings on your property depend on the zone in which the property is located.
Obtaining a Permit
The exact steps involved in obtaining a permit may vary slightly, so building in Squamish may differ from building in Whistler. In general, however, the process of obtaining a permit for your shelter should begin with a general enquiry, followed by submitting an application. You may need to confirm some off-site services before the building permit is issued. Inspections may follow, ending with the release of any deposits or bonds.
The design of the shelter will need to be reviewed, with permit drawings submitted that provide sufficient information to demonstrate that the work to be done will conform to applicable regulations. Permit drawings must comply with the building department’s checklist to verify that the structure can be built. Permit drawings allow the project to be assessed for safety, which is always a priority.
To move forward will require engineer approval. While waiting for this approval, you still have time to make revisions before a decision is reached. At First Peak, we have the expertise and experience to help get your plans approved. We know the special needs of shelters here on the West Coast. They must be built tough enough to endure extreme weather conditions, including high winds, heavy rain, and snow.
While you will follow the same basic steps for your shelter as any other accessory building, there are some points that may not apply, as well as others that might require extra consideration. For example, some other accessory buildings will require that services be connected to your property line. This includes water connections, sewer connections, storm connections, and drainage.
In the case of stand-alone shelters, plumbing will not be an issue, though fire protection becomes a consideration, and you may want or need other utilities. Depending on the location and the intended use of the shelter, you may need electrical services hooked up. The location might also have other special requirements. You may need to account for the environmental impact of building your shelter in a park or other natural setting, for example.
Once everything has been reviewed and you have received approval, all that remains is to pay the fee, receive your permit, and get building.
Whatever your shelter needs may be, First Peak can help, bringing expert design and highest-quality craftsmanship to the project to help ensure approval. Whether you seek the most basic shelter or something more elaborate, we help you get it done.