Building Permits for Solar Domestic Hot Water
Systems
Ted Van Vliet
Toronto BuildingOctober 1st, 2008Presented at Solar Neighbourhoods Contractor Workshop
Presentation Outline
• Who we are
• Ontario Building Code and Zoning By-laws
• Building Permit Applications and Submission Requirements
• Questions
Toronto Building: Who we are and What we do...
Who we are and What we Do:
Toronto Building:• Enforce the Ontario Building Code, the
City of Toronto's zoning by-laws and other applicable law, including:
• Reviewing Building Permit applications;• Issuing Building Permits; and,• Conducting Inspections
Divided into 4 Administrative Districts within the City of Toronto
District Office Locations and Contact Information
Toronto and East York DistrictToronto City Hall100 Queen Street West416-392-7539Wards:14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32
North York DistrictNorth York Civic Centre5100 Yonge Street416-395-7000Wards:8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 23, 24, 25, 26, 33, 34
Etobicoke York DistrictEtobicoke2 Civic Centre Court416-394-8002Wards:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 17
Scarborough DistrictScarborough Civic Centre150 Borough Drive416-396-7526Wards:35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44
Why get a Building Permit for SDHW Systems
• To avoid structural failure of the building;• Fire Protection;• To ensure that the system will not
separate from the building;• To avoid contamination of potable water;• To avoid water damage
• i.e. leaky roof, improper water shedding, improper plumbing connections
Because it is a legal requirement!!!
When you need a Building Permit
• Construct a new building • Any addition to an existing building • Structural alterations • Renovate or repair a building • Make new openings for, or change the
size of, doors and windows • Install or modify HVAC systems
• New or altered plumbing • An accessory structure larger than 10
square metres in area
The Ontario Building Code and Solar Domestic Hot
Water Systems
Building Code Objectives
• Safety• Health• Accessibility• Fire, Structural, Water & Sewage
Protection of Buildings• Resource Conservation• Environmental Integrity• Conservation of Buildings
Building Code Requirements
• Structural Sufficiency: • Requirements for Housing - Part 9; • Requirements for Large Buildings – Part 3 and/or Part 4
• Plumbing Connections; Collector Design and Installation Requirements:• Part 7 for all buildings
• Fire Protection• Part 3 and 5 for all buildings
Packaged vs. Non-Packaged SDHW Systems
• ‘Packaged’ System (Off the Shelf) :• Equipment must conform to CAN/CSA-F379.1 • Installed in conformance with CAN/CSA-F383
• ‘Non-packaged’ Systems (Custom Design):• Designed and installed in accordance with
‘good engineering practice’
Zoning By-laws and Solar Domestic Hot Water
Systems
Zoning By-laws
Zoning By-laws set out rules governing land use and the placement of buildings on a lot. It states exactly:
•Land and building uses; •Building size, height, or density; •Location of buildings and other structures;•Minimum lot sizes and dimensions.
Zoning By-law Requirements for Solar Energy Devices
For zones that allow dwelling units:
• When located on a building, it is subject to the zoning requirements for the building on which the device is located; and,
• When not located on a building, it is subject to the zoning requirements for an accessory or ancillary building or structure on a lot in which the device is located.
Sample Zoning Requirements
Requirements for the Main Building
Front Yard Setback 6.5m
Side Yard Setbacks 1.0m
Rear Yard Setback 9.5m
Building Height 9.0m
Requirements for Accessory or Ancillary Structures
Must be located behind the main building
Side Yard Setbacks 0.3m
Rear Yard Setback 0.9m
Building Height 4.0m
Applying for the Building Permit
Requirements for Submission
• Application forms;• CSA Certification documents or
alternative solutions documentation;• Building and Site Plans (2 copies); and,
• Payment of Building Permit Fees
In many cases, separate permits are required for Plumbing and Structural work
• Building Permit Application Form• May require 2 applications
• Designer Information Sheet
• Declaration for Time Frames
• Tree Declaration Form
Required Forms:
Designer Requirements• Since 2006, the Ontario Building Code has
required that all plans are prepared by a ‘qualified person’• Qualified person is:
• A Licensed Engineer; • A Licensed Architect; or, • A person who has passed exams prescribed by the
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
• Professional seals/stamps or BCIN numbers must appear on all submitted documents and plans
• Homeowners who prepare their own plans are exempt from qualification requirements• However, the City has the right to ask for an Engineer
to prepare or review plans as necessary
Requirements for Plans
2 copies of:• Site Plan;• Roof Plan; • Building Elevations;• Details on the Hot Water Tank and all new and
existing Plumbing Connections;• Sufficient information should be provided on all
plans to deem compliance with the Ontario Building Code and Applicable Laws
• Toronto Building has the right to ask for information deemed necessary to determine compliance with the Ontario Building Code and other Applicable Laws
Sample Site Plan
Sample Roof Plan
Sample Elevations
Connection and Piping Details
Photo Credit: NRCan
CSA Certification Documents• For Packaged
Systems a copy must be provided as part of the application – including all supporting documents
• CSA certification information may be required for equipment in other types of installations
Alternative Solutions• For Packaged Systems that do not have
CSA certification, design alternatives may be considered• Most alternatives require an Engineer to prepare;
• Alternatives must demonstrate equivalent or superior performance to systems certified under CAN/CSA-F379.1;
• Toronto Building may be able to ‘certify’ plans in some cases;
• If received; approval of alternative solutions or certified plans are good in Toronto only, and may be heavily restricted
Payment of Fees
• Fee By-law is currently being reviewed for SDHW permits
• Fees for small residential installations is $92.94 (includes all permits)
• For more complex installations and certified plans, additional fees may be charged
All fees must be paid prior to the issuance of a Building Permit!
Building Inspections
Open for Discussion
• The City is required to inspect all work for which a Building Permit is issued;
• It is the responsibility of the permit holder to ensure the Building Inspector is notified that work is ready to be inspected;
• Any deviation from the approved permit plans, may result in work being stopped
For copies of Forms and Other Information
Please visit our website at
www.toronto.ca/building
Questions ?
Toronto and East York DistrictToronto City Hall100 Queen Street West416-392-7539
North York DistrictNorth York Civic Centre5100 Yonge Street416-395-7000
Etobicoke York DistrictEtobicoke2 Civic Centre Court416-394-8002
Scarborough DistrictScarborough Civic Centre150 Borough Drive416-396-7526