City Work Stop Order
 

Anyone been through one? What happens, do you or your contractor have to contact the city and explain what's been done? How long do they usually last? Any advice?

More details

what did you do?

We were having our windows replaced by StarLight and neighbours called on us cause of the noise and they put a work stop order in.

Called in and the inspector said we need a permit to replace windows apparently?

Also said we don't have a legal suite even though when we bought the house the realtor said it was legalized... do I call the city to confirm this? Does this license or whatever ever expire or need to be renewed?

You should call the city and confirm this as soon as possible. Then you can ask them what necessary permits you need, although I don't believe you need a permit to change a window.

If they were doing this during work hours and not making excessive noise, you've got some cunty neighbors. Changing windows doesn't normally make a lot of noise.

They had to grind the edges and the window sill area, I guess that was the loudest part...

The person on the phone said the new energy efficiency law in 2014 says it's okay to replace a couple windows but not more than 5. If more than 5 you need to get a permit. I don't see this on the city website and don't but it... but then again, doesn't make sense for him to lie...

Are these people allowed to enter your property without your consent?

We also made changes to bathroom fixtures (tub to shower base) which lead to changing of the pipes and was told that needs a permit; this makes more sense but the rest feels like he's intimidating me?

Don't you have a contractor?

We do

You don't think a qualified contractor who you are paying should know this stuff?

What city is your house in?

Mark

Ya, no permits or not waiting for a permit to be issued will result in a stop work order. The building inspectors are the ones that usually give those orders.

For the illegal suite, the city would have the information if it was legalized. If not then you will either have to get legalized or remove it.


Each City works differently and have different requirements, so always double check.

South Vancouver, near Knight.

He said it would be in my best interest to contact the city ourselves ...

I would suggest it would be in your best interest to deal with a reputable contractor who is knowledgeable about the basic procedures for renovations, one of which is permitting. He is right that you are on your own for figuring out about your suite (which is very simple to do btw) but not for this permit related to your window renovation.

Mark

Thing is, you've opened a can of worms now.

If you had just done minor things under the noses of the city and never drawn attention you could essentially change the entire house over time. Who's to say what it was before? The city doesn't have any architectural records besides the initial plans

But now that there has been a stop work order placed, the second an inspector comes they are gonna be anal as fuck about everything and be taking a look at areas other than the Windows

if he had pulled a permit for the windows and an inspector came in, would/could they have snooped around at other things/areas in the house and be in a similar situation with the suite? or would they simply have stuck to the work itself (just the window reno)

what a load of shit needing a permit to change windows.

if you're changing structure (removing a middle post and extending a header) then maybe, but if it's just remove and replace that's stupid

Windows are one of, if not the most important part of the building envelope.. pretty important they are installed correctly.

a good junk of the leaky condo crisis was caused by bad installation of windows.

in response to GLOW, i would think that if the inspector recognized the installers, and knew they were reputable, he would simply look at a window or two and walk away.

Thing with the windows is the inspector who inspects them is just a the general inspector for structural stuff, i'm not sure how crazy they are in terms of reporting illegal suites etc. but Vancouver has notoriously anal inspectors, and with that stop work order on the record now, i wouldnt doubt the guy looks for further infractions or work done to the house which may not be up to code when he comes to inspect the windows

So how did the conversation with the realtor go? :troll:

If you are replacing all the windows in the house, it will also need to meet the new 2015 VBBL requirement U-value of 1.4. Most contractors out there are clueless and doesn't know this. So if the windows that you ordered is only double glazed, you are pretty much screwed. To meet U-value of 1.4, almost all windows needs to be tripled glazed.
https://www.biv.com/article/2014/11/...ilding-bylaw-/

Any changes to your plumbing will need a plumbing permit and any changes to walls or interior layout will need a building permit.

building bylaw officer is like the tax man.
once you have their attention you are kinda screwed :lol
(of course unless you did everything right)

Simple way to determine if your suite is legal - does it have its own address? If not, it's not officially recognized by the city.

Realtor told me it was legal as a "summer kitchen", what is this? Can't find any info on this, does this mean a kitchen in a secondary suite can only be used during the summer?

Summer kitchen just refers to a secondary kitchen that can be used during warm spells so as not to heat up the house any further.

Oh man. I feel horrible for you. I had a neighbour rat me out a few years ago. From start to finish, with having to get permits, getting drawings done, finding a proper contractor, getting everything to code (legalizing a basement suite that wasn't before), took 12 months. It was supposed to be a quick 2 week, $3000 job. Ended up being $10000.