Services & Departments
Frequently Asked Questions
BUILDING DEPARTMENT FAQs
Q1. Who is the Chief Building Official for Hastings Highlands?
A1. Frank Mills. Click the Contact Us line at the bottom right of the Home for contact details.
Q2. What are his qualifications?
A2. Go to the Provincial Quarts Page to check any person's Ontario Building Code Qualifications - Quarts
Q3. What is required to obtain a building permit?
A3. Download the following documents - Entrance Permit, Fees, Permit, Requirements, SitePlan, Site Plan 2, Zoning By-law
Q4. What are the minimum and maximum sizes for buildings & the setbacks?
A4. All this information is in the Zoning By-law, but generally a house must be a minimum of 800 sq. ft. Any building over 10 sq metres total floor area, or containing any services, requires a permit and accessory buildings can only be built after the main permit is obtained. Setbacks are 100 ft from water. 10 ft from side. Moving a building requires a building permit.
Q5. Can I put a trailer on a lot?
A5. Generally no. Travel trailers are only allowed in trailer parks. CSA Z240/241 approved mobiles of the minimum sq ft and on permanent foundations may be considered.
Q6. Can I use alternative building construction such as straw bales, ungraded lumber, or stackwall?
A6. Such structures must be designed by a qualified Engineer and specifically approved by the Chief Building Official.
Q7. Can I build a garage or accessory building prior to building the main building?
A7. The Zoning By-law requires the main building to be built first. You can take out all the permits at one time, or try a Minor Variance.
Q8. Do I need a permit to install a wood heating appliance?
A8. Yes, and all wood stoves and chimneys must be certified in order to qualify for a permit.
Q9. What if my building proposal does not meet the requirements of the Zoning By-law, for size, height, setbacks, use etc?
A9. Apply for a Minor Variance. The forms and instructions are available in the Documents section of the website.
Q10. What can I do if I am denied a building permit or dispute an order?
A10. A house permit should be issued within 10 days of receiving a complete application. If it is incomplete, you must be notified within 2 days. An applicant may appeal to the Superior Court of Justice within 20 days of notice of the dispute [Building Code Act 25.(1)].
Q11. When is a septic permit required?
A11. If pressurized water is pumped into a building, a septic system is generally required to service the building.
RECYCLING PICKUP FAQs
Q. What is accepted on how should I package it.
A.
Metal cans & Foil - Bag and Tie Securely. Rinse all cans. Place lids in can, pinch closed. Do not put aluminum cans inside tin ones. Include clean aluminum foil and pie plates. Flattened cans save space. No cigarette, butter wrappers or chip bags. Avoid putting pop cans inside other cans.
Empty aerosol and paint cans - Bag and Tie Securely. Make sure they are empty. Take lids off paint cans to let them dry. No containers with product, plastic paint cans, propane cylinders or other hazardous waste.
Plastic Containers - Bag and Tie Securely. Rinse all containers and make sure they are empty. Soft drinks, detergents, jice, bleach, shampoo, dairy products, as weel as clear and foam plastic cups, trays and packaging. All plastics with numbers 1-6 on the bottom are OK. No blister or bubble packs, prescriptin bottles or toys.
Plastic Bags - Bag and Tie Securely. Stuff clean dry plastic bags into a plastic bag and tie handles. Included rinsed milk pouches, grocery, bread, dry cleaning, frozen vegetable and blue newspaper bags as well as outer toilet and hand tissue bags. Remove all food residue, stickers, and receipts. No meat, chease or stretch wrap, cereal box liners or chip bags.
Bottles and Jars - Bag and Tie Securely. Remove caps and lids and rinse bottles. Metal lids can be recycled with cans. No other types of glass such as kitchenware, ceramics, dishes, drinking glasses, window glass, light bulbs or mirrors. Please, no broken glass.
Boxboard and Mixed Paper. Tied Securely. Flatten and stuff boxboard into a large box along with junk mail and other household paper. Boxboard includes cereal, shoe and detergent boxes as well as rinsed milk and juice cartons, paper bags, tetra paks, sugar and flour bags, carboard tubes, books (hardcover and paperback), egg cartons, and other clean paper packaging. No tissue, paper towels, laminated paper, or dog/cat food bags.
Newspapers and Magazine - Bundle & Tie Securely. Newspaper, inserts, phone books, magazines and catalogues. No soiled newspapers.
Corrugated Cardboard - Bundle & Tie Securely. Flatten corrugated cardboard boxes into 30: x 30" x 8". No wax board.
