What does Building Inspection and Current Planning review in applications for business licenses?
Current Planning reviews your business license application for parking and permitted use. The use is relative to the site, i.e. is your use permitted in that particular zone. Building Inspection reviews the building for conformance with the building code for the proposed occupancy. Occupancies are classified as follows: Changing the occupancy of an existing building triggers BC Building Code requirements regarding seismic stability (ability to withstand earthquake), fire separation between suites, building construction (combustible vs. non-combustible), handicap access and fire alarm. Renovations may also trigger building bylaw requirements for fire sprinklers.
