Building Services Update August 2022
A busy summer of construction
It is exciting to be part of Oakville's development activity. Oakville ranks third in the GTA for the most construction cranes, right behind Vaughan and Mississauga.

Building Services is here to support you with building permits from simple projects to multi-storey high rises. Our team is skilled and knowledgeable in the building code and industry practices. Contact us at buildingrequests@oakville.ca.
Ralph Kaminski,
Chief Building Official
Be kind to the neighbours

It's exciting when it is your construction project. It's not always as fun when you are the neighbour.

Help minimize impacts of your project by:
  • Respecting driveways and not blocking access
  • Keeping sites neat and tidy to prevent garbage from blowing around
  • Avoiding vehicle idling to minimize air and noise pollution


Changes to development charges

On September 1, 2022, Halton Region's Development Charges by-law for water, wastewater, roads and general services comes into effect. Learn more at Halton Region's Development Charges study web page.

For building permit applications related to a site plan or zoning by-law amendment application made since January 1, 2020, development charge rates are frozen on the day a complete application is received. For all other permits, development charges are payable at the rate in effect at the time of building permit issuance.

For information on development charges, visit the development charges web page or contact dcforms@oakville.ca. For questions relating to Building Services, please contact Yianni Panagakis at yianni.panagakis@oakville.ca or 905-845-6601 ext 3179.

New - Community benefits charge
The Community Benefits Charge (CBC) is a proposed new charge applicable to high-density residential development of five or more storeys with 10 or more units. The CBC is a dedicated financing tool under section 37 of the Planning Act to pay for growth-related capital costs of facilities and services that are not currently collected under development charges or parkland dedication such as municipal parking, public art and cultural and entertainment space.

A CBC strategy and draft by-law was presented at the August 9 Council meeting, and will be considered for approval at the September 6 Planning and Development Council meeting. If approved, the by-law comes into effect September 7, 2022.

Additional information, including the town’s CBC strategy and draft by-law, can be found at the Community Benefits Charge web page.
Mass Timber Demonstration Fire Tests Program by the Canadian Wood Council
Louisa He, Architectural Plans Examiner, has a special interest in mass timber construction. She attended a fire burn of a two-storey, 3,700 ft2, non-sprinklered office building. The building was constructed of exposed mass timber structure. Floors were designed to be two-hour fire separations with load-bearing structural members having two-hour FRR. A fuel load simulating a typical open office setting was placed inside the building. At the beginning of the burn, the fire developed quickly with lots of flame and smoke, with observers feeling the heat from a distance of 100 m. Surprisingly, within an hour, the fire died down and the building had survived the burn. The duration of the fire depends on the fuel load in the building. After the fuel load was consumed, the outer layer of the mass timber structure had become charred, and the char protected the inner part of the structure and slowed down the burning process. To learn more about the mass timber fire test, please visit the Canadian Wood Council website. 

Interested in constructing with mass timber? Reach out in advance to Yianni Panagakis so that we can help support your project. Contact him at yianni.panagakis@oakville.ca or 905-845-6601 ext. 3179.
Meet our newest team member!
This month, we welcomed Leila Amiri to the Building Services team in the role of Building Services Representative. Leila is a graduate of Metro Toronto U (Ryerson) department of Architectural Science (BArchSc) with a focus in project management.

She started her career as a Junior Architectural Technologist at Vanle Architect Inc. assisting with residential buildings. Then advanced her knowledge working with low-rise commercial buildings as an Intermediate Architectural Technologist at K Paul Architect. Most recently, she was a Building Permit Application Specialist at the City of Hamilton.

Leila has earned her building code qualifications in General Legal Processes, House & House - HVAC as well as completing courses in Zoning By-law Regulations and Communication for Building Officials.

Leila looks forward to assisting you with your next building permit application.
Congratulations Jen!
Jen Maveal has been a familiar, friendly face to many of you over the past 8 years as a Building Services Representative.

Jen has worked hard to expand her knowledge and building code qualifications and has successfully transitioned to a Zoning Examiner.

She looks forward to supporting you with zoning by-law matters and plan review.
Build Smart. Build Safe. Build with a Permit.