CNLR 1021/96 - Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations under the Urban and Rural Planning Act

CONSOLIDATED NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR REGULATION 1021/96 Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations under the Urban and Rural Planning Act (O.C. 96-201) Amended by: 29/98 62/01 2/04 36/04 78/04 48/05 110/07 2008 c47 s13 107/09 24/10 76/10 97/11 66/15 67/18 73/19 66/21 109/23 44/24 CONSOLIDATED NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR REGULATION 1021/96 Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations under the Urban and Rural Planning Act (O.C. 96-201) Under the authority of section 63 of the Urban and Rural Planning Act and the Subordinate Legislation Revision and Consolidation Act , the Lieutenant-Governor in Council makes the following regulations. REGULATIONS Analysis 1. Short title 2. Definitions 3. Application 4. Occupancy 5. Maintenance 6. Structural soundness 7. Property drainage 8. Fire prevention 9. Pest control 10. Dampness 11. Basement habitable rooms 12. Exterior walls 13. Exits 14. Exterior doors 15. Porches and stairs 16. Roofs 17. Fireplaces 18. Floors 19. Interior walls and ceilings 20. Heating and weatherproofing 21. Plumbing 22. Electrical 23. Washroom facilities 24. Kitchen facilities 25. Washrooms 26. Lighting and ventilation of habitable rooms. 27. Sleeping rooms 28. Cooking prohibited in sleeping rooms 29. Overcrowding 30. Storage space 31. Enclosed space access 32. Walkways, driveways 33. Fences 34. On site storage 35. Debris prohibited 36. Landscaping 37. Rubbish disposal 38. Composting container 39. Manner of composting 40. Container location 41. Powers of enforcement authority 42. Failure to comply 43. Conflict 44. Penalty 45. Appeal 46. Repeal Schedule Short title 1. These regulations may be cited as the Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations. CNR 1021/96 s1 Back to Top Definitions 2. In these regulations (a) "Act" means the Urban and Rural Planning Act ; (b) "building line" means a line established by the enforcement authority to set the horizontal distance between the closest point of a building and the street line; (c) "composting" means the storage and controlled biochemical decomposition of vegetables, fruit or garden waste; (d) "enforcement authority" means the authorized administrator or the municipal council having jurisdiction in the area designated by the minister; and (e) "minister" means the minister appointed under the Executive Council Act to administer the Act. CNR 1021/96 s2 Back to Top Application 3. These regulations shall apply to those municipalities or municipal planning areas listed in the Schedule. CNR 1021/96 s3 Back to Top Occupancy 4. (1) A person shall not occupy for human habitation or otherwise, or be the owner of, permit to be occupied for human habitation or otherwise, a dwelling or structure which does not conform to the standards set out in these regulations. (2) All new dwellings and structures, all existing vacant dwellings and structures and a dwelling or structure which becomes unoccupied and not maintained for a length of time, shall require an occupancy permit issued by the enforcement authority before the proposed occupancy occurs. (3) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), temporary departures from existing properties for annual vacation, work related purposes, education, health reasons, temporary duty elsewhere, or business trips, shall not be considered as vacancies under these regulations. CNR 1021/96 s4 Back to Top Maintenance 5. All properties in the areas listed in the Schedule including land, buildings, structures, dwellings, fences, sheds, garages, parking lots, driveways, landscaping and all appurtenances shall be maintained in a state of good condition and repair in accordance with the standards set out in these regulations and as otherwise ordered by the enforcement authority. CNR 1021/96 s5 Back to Top Structural soundness 6. Structural components of all buildings and dwellings shall be (a) free from deterioration, loose jointing, sagging, bulging and excessive deflection; and (b) capable of sustaining safely the weight of the structure or dwelling and a load to which it may be normally subjected. CNR 1021/96 s6 Back to Top Property drainage 7. All occupied land shall be provided with adequate surface water drainage over the whole area of the property to prevent ponding and to prevent run-off to adjacent properties with suitable arrangements for the disposal of surface water without eroding or flooding. CNR 1021/96 s7 Back to Top Fire prevention 8. (1) All buildings and dwellings shall meet the requirements of those local, provincial and national fire regulations that may be applicable. (2) A building or dwelling shall not be permitted to be occupied if it is a potential fire hazard due to its location, construction, contents or another reason and all those structures or dwellings shall be made to conform to the appropriate codes and standards as adopted by the enforcement authority before occupancy is permitted. (3) An occupied structure that is considered a fire hazard may be ordered vacated by the enforcement authority until the applicable deficiencies have been corrected by the owner. (4) Smoke alarms conforming to the standards set out in the National Building Code shall be installed in every dwelling unit and in accordance with the requirements of the National Building Code, in all other buildings CNR 1021/96 s8 Back to Top Pest control 9. (1) Every structure and dwelling shall be kept free of rodents, vermin and insects and appropriate extermination measures shall be taken when ordered by the enforcement authority. (2) Extermination measures ordered under subsection (1) shall be at the owner's expense. CNR 1021/96 s9 Back to Top Dampness 10. The basement, attic space, floors, ceilings, crawl space and cellar of every building and dwelling unit shall be kept free from dampness, moisture, condensation and interior sweat so as to prevent rot and the development of mildew or other health hazard. CNR 1021/96 s10 Back to Top Basement habitable rooms 11. A room in the basement of a building or dwelling shall not be used as a habitable room unless (a) the finished floor of that room is not more than an average depth of 1,143 millimetres below the finished grade of the property; (b) the room is ventilated; (c) all walls below grade are effectively damp-proof resulting in a dry interior condition; and (d) the interior of the basement wall is properly insulated and finished. CNR 1021/96 s11 Back to Top Exterior walls 12. (1) Exterior walls and their components shall be adequate to support loads upon them and shall be maintained to prevent their deterioration from any cause. (2) Exterior cladding or covering must be reasonably durable and be maintained in accordance with the standards set out in these regulations and as otherwise determined by the enforcement authority. CNR 1021/96 s12 Back to Top Exits 13. (1) A single exit is permitted from the ground floor of a dwelling unit provided (a) the exit is to the exterior at or near ground level; and (b) it provides a safe, continuous and unobstructed means of egress. (2) Dwelling units which do not meet the requirements of subsection (1) shall have 2 exits. (3) Buildings other than dwelling units shall comply with the building code with respect to exit provisions. CNR 1021/96 s13 Back to Top Exterior doors 14. (1) Existing doors and frames shall be in sound condition, well fitted and operate satisfactorily. (2) At least one entrance door in every unit shall be capable of being locked from both inside and outside. (3) All exterior doors shall be weather-stripped or have an appropriate combination of storm and screen door suitable for all year use. CNR 1021/96 s14 Back to Top Porches and stairs 15. All porches, balconies, landings, stairs and handrails shall be well constructed and free from defects which may constitute a safety hazard. CNR 1021/96 s15 Back to Top Roofs 16. (1) All roof construction components shall provide adequate support for all probable loads and form a suitable base for the roof covering. (2) A roof including the fascia board, soffit, cornice and flashing shall be maintained in a watertight condition so as to prevent leakage of water into the dwelling. CNR 1021/96 s16 Back to Top Fireplaces 17. All fireplaces, fuel burning equipment and chimneys shall be maintained in a safe, efficient condition. CNR 1021/96 s17 Back to Top Floors 18. (1) All floors shall be constructed and maintained so as to adequately accept the applied loads without undue deflection and damage. (2) Defective or excessively worn, deteriorated, cracked, or torn finishes shall not be permitted by the enforcement authority. CNR 1021/96 s18 Back to Top Interior walls and ceilings 19. (1) Every wall and ceiling finish shall be maintained free from holes, loose or deteriorated coverings or other defects which may increase the spread of fire. (2) Where fire resistant walls exist between separate dwelling units, they shall be maintained in a condition which retains their fire resistant quality. CNR 1021/96 s19 Back to Top Heating and weatherproofing 20. (1) All buildings and dwelling units shall be weatherproof and insulated so as to be capable of being adequately heated with a reasonable consumption of fuel. (2) Heating equipment in every building and dwelling shall be in good working order and in good repair, free from fuel leaks and other defects and shall be non-hazardous to the occupants, in the opinion of the enforcement authority. (3) Fuel storage equipment, supports and piping shall meet the requirements of the applicable regulations. CNR 1021/96 s20 Back to Top Plumbing 21. (1) All plumbing, drain pipes , water pipes, water closets, sinks and other plumbing fixtures in a building or dwelling shall be maintained in good order and repair in accordance with the requirements of the enforcement authority. (2) Where necessary due to the nature of the construction of the unit, all water pipes subject to the possibility of freezing shall be insulated, heated or otherwise protected. (3) All plumbing fixtures shall have suitable traps installed and all plumbing systems shall be properly vented to the outdoors. CNR 1021/96 s21 Back to Top Electrical 22. (1) The electrical service, distribution equipment, wiring, equipment and appliances used in a building or dwelling unit shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the requirements of the Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro Corporation. (2) Exposed, loose wiring, broken or damaged switches or outlet covers or damaged fixtures shall not be permitted by the enforcement authority. CNR 1021/96 s22 Back to Top Washroom facilities 23. (1) Every dwelling unit shall be provided with at least one kitchen sink, washbasin, water closet and bathtub or shower which (a) is in good working order; (b) is connected to a piped water supply; and (c) has an acceptable means of sewage disposal. (2) Every dwelling unit shall have provisions for a constant supply of both hot and cold water. (3) Hot water tanks shall be insulated and equipped with automatic temperature control. (4) All plumbing fixtures shall operate properly and shall be free from leaks. CNR 1021/96 s23 Back to Top Kitchen facilities 24. (1) Every dwelling unit shall contain a kitchen area equipped with a sink, served with hot and cold running water, storage facilities and a counter top work area. (2) Each kitchen or working area shall be provided with at least one operable window or skylight opening to the external air and having an area of not less than 10% of the net floor area of the room, or with a mechanical system of ventilation satisfactory to the enforcement authority. CNR 1021/96 s24 Back to Top Washrooms 25. (1) All washrooms, including toilets and bathrooms, shall be (a) located within and shall be accessible from within the building; and (b) fully enclosed and in the case of a public building, have a lockable door to provide privacy. (2) Every washroom, toilet and bathroom shall be provided with (a) at least one operable window or skylight opening to the external air and having an area of not less than 10% of the floor area of the room; or (b) a mechanical system of ventilation satisfactory to the enforcement authority. CNR 1021/96 s25 Back to Top Lighting and ventilation of habitable rooms. 26. (1) Every habitable room in a dwelling unit shall contain one or more operable windows. (2) Windows required under subsection (1) shall open directly to the outside air and the total area of window or windows in every habitable room shall not be less than 10% of the floor area of that room. (3) All window sashes shall be glazed and provided with suitable hardware. CNR 1021/96 s26 Back to Top Sleeping rooms 27. (1) A room shall not be used for sleeping purposes unless it has a floor area of at least 6 square metres. (2) Where more than one individual at least 12 years of age uses a room for sleeping purposes, it shall have at least 12 cubic metres of air space and 5 square metres of floor space. (3) Where an individual less than 12 years of age uses a room for sleeping purposes, it shall have at least 6 cubic metres of air space and 3 square metres of floor space. CNR 1021/96 s27 Back to Top Cooking prohibited in sleeping rooms 28. Where more than 2 persons occupy a dwelling unit, food shall not be prepared in a room used for sleeping purposes. CNR 1021/96 s28 Back to Top Overcrowding 29. The number of persons in a building or part of a building shall not exceed the numbers permitted under the Fire and Life Safety Code or another code or standard adopted by the enforcement authority. CNR 1021/96 s29 Back to Top Storage space 30. Every dwelling unit shall have general storage and closet space as required by applicable housing regulations or as determined by the enforcement authority. CNR 1021/96 s30 Back to Top Enclosed space access 31. (1) An access opening of at least 600 millimetres by 750 millimetres shall be provided when required to attics, crawl spaces and other enclosed spaces. (2) Where mechanical equipment is enclosed, the access opening shall be sufficiently large to permit the removal and replacement of the equipment. (3) Enclosed attic, roof and crawl spaces shall be vented to the exterior of the structure. CNR 1021/96 s31 Back to Top Walkways, driveways 32. Steps, walks, driveways, parking spaces and similar areas of a yard shall be adequately lit and maintained to afford safe passage under normal use and weather conditions. CNR 1021/96 s32 Back to Top Fences 33. (1) A fence shall not extend in front of the building line where it would reduce the visibility of vehicles entering or exiting a street or intersection. (2) Fences, barriers and retaining walls shall be kept in good repair and free from accident hazards. (3) Subsection (1) does not apply to hedges, walls or ornamental fences not exceeding 750 millimetres in height. CNR 1021/96 s33 Back to Top On site storage 34. (1) The storage of materials or equipment on the site of a building or dwelling unit shall be at the rear of the lot. (2) All items shall be neatly arranged and shall not cause inconvenience or imposition to adjoining properties. (3) Storage space on corner lots shall be screened. CNR 1021/96 s34 Back to Top Debris prohibited 35. Land shall be free from debris including a vehicle, trailer or object which is in a wrecked, discarded or abandoned condition. CNR 1021/96 s35 Back to Top Landscaping 36. (1) Land shall be protected by suitable ground cover which prevents erosion of the soil. (2) Plants and vegetation shall be kept trimmed so as not to be unsightly to neighbouring property. CNR 1021/96 s36 Back to Top Rubbish disposal 37. (1) All garbage, rubbish, waste and other debris from residential properties shall be (a) promptly stored in regulation receptacles; and (b) made available for removal in accordance with the standards approved by the enforcement authority. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to composting. CNR 1021/96 s37 Back to Top Composting container 38. All composting must be carried out in a suitably maintained container which (a) may be commercially or owner constructed; (b) must be rodent proof; and (c) must be properly vented. CNR 1021/96 s38 Back to Top Manner of composting 39. All composting shall be carried out in a manner that neither attracts rodents, flies or animals nor causes an unpleasant odour and shall be maintained so as not to be a nuisance to neighbouring properties. CNR 1021/96 s39 Back to Top Container location 40. Composting containers shall be located in the rear yard no closer than one metre to a lot line. CNR 1021/96 s40 Back to Top Powers of enforcement authority 41. (1) The enforcement authority may direct the owner of a dwelling unit or building which does not conform to the standard (a) to undertake work to make the dwelling unit or building conform to the standard; (b) to demolish all or part of a building or dwelling or structure or erection forming a part of the building or dwelling; or (c) to clean and paint as required to provide a satisfactory condition of appearance and cleanliness, within the time that the enforcement authority may specify. (2) Every owner shall carry out the directions of the enforcement authority referred to in subsection (1). CNR 1021/96 s41 Back to Top Failure to comply 42. (1) If an owner does not comply with the directions of the enforcement authority, the enforcement authority may (a) order the necessary work to be done to make the dwelling or building conform to the standards and recover the cost from the owner; or (b) order the demolition of the building. (2) The owner shall carry out the demolition referred to in paragraph (1)(b) but if the owner does not comply with the order, the enforcement authority may carry out the demolition through its officers, agents, employees or contractors and recover the cost of so doing as a civil debt from the owner. CNR 1021/96 s42 Back to Top Conflict 43. Where a provision of this regulation conflicts with a provision of another Act or regulation in force in the planning area concerned, the provisions that established the higher standard to protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public shall prevail. CNR 1021/96 s43 Back to Top Penalty 44. A person who contravenes a provision of this regulation shall, upon conviction, be liable to the penalties imposed by section 106 of the Urban and Rural Planning Act, 2000. 2008 c47 s13 Back to Top Appeal 45. (1) A person or corporation aggrieved by a decision made under these regulations may appeal to the appropriate appeal board within 30 days of the date of the decision appealed. (2) The enforcement authority shall provide the aggrieved with a written statement of the exact procedures to be followed. CNR 1021/96 s45 Back to Top Repeal 46. The following regulations are repealed: (a) Town of Arnold 's Cove Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1993, Newfoundland Regulation 210/93; (b) Town of Avondale Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1988, Newfoundland Regulation 46/88; (c) Community of Berry Head Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1979, Newfoundland Regulation 155/80; (d) Bishop's Falls Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1978, Newfoundland Regulation 41/78; (e) Town of Bonavista Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1984, Newfoundland Regulation 181/84; (f) Burin Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1983, Newfoundland Regulation 201/83; (g) Town of Carbonear Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1984, Newfoundland Regulation 66/84; (h) Town of Channel - Port aux Basques Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1986, Newfoundland Regulation 189/86; (i) Town of Conception Bay South Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1985, Newfoundland Regulation 202/85; (j) City of Corner Brook Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1986, Newfoundland Regulation 247/86; (k) Deer Lake Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1983, Newfoundland Regulation 125/83; (l) Town of Dover Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1985, Newfoundland Regulation 116/85; (m) Gambo Occupancy and Maintenance regulations, 1982, Newfoundland Regulation 247/82; (n) Gander Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1979, Newfoundland Regulation 163/79; (o) Town of Happy Valley - Goose Bay Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1977, Newfoundland Regulation 1030/78; (p) Town of Harbour Grace Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1984, Newfoundland Regulation 272/84; (q) Town of Harbour Main - Chapel's Cove - Lakeview Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1984, Newfoundland Regulation 102/84; (r) Town of Holyrood Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1984, Newfoundland Regulation 94/84; (s) Local Improvement District of Kippens Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1979, Newfoundland Regulation 1/80; (t) Labrador City Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1982, Newfoundland Regulation 245/82; (u) Town of Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1989, Newfoundland Regulation 142/89; (v) City of Mount Pearl Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1994, Newfoundland Regulation 45/94; (w) Town of Northern Arm Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1989, Newfoundland Regulation 167/89; (x) Town of Paradise Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1986, Newfoundland Regulation 49/86; (y) Town of Pasadena Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1978, Newfoundland Regulation 1074/78; (z) Town of Pouch Cove Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1984, Newfoundland Regulation 42/84; (aa) Town of St. George's Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1988, Newfoundland Regulation 250/88; (bb) Town of Stephenville Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1976, Newfoundland Regulation 1116/78; (cc) Trepassey Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1985, being Newfoundland Regulation 239/85; and (dd) Town of Wabush Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1984, Newfoundland Regulation 273/84. Back to Top Schedule Town of Arnold 's Cove Town of Avondale Town of Bay Roberts Town of Bishop 's Falls Town of Bonavista Town of Burin Town of Carbonear Town of Channel - Port aux Basques Town of Clarenville Town of Conception Bay South City of Corner Brook Town of Deer Lake Town of Dover Town of Gambo Town of Gander Town of Glovertown Town of Grand Bank Town of Grand Falls - Windsor Town of Happy Valley - Goose Bay Town of Harbour Grace Town of Harbour Main - Chapel's Cove - Lakeview Town of Holyrood Town of Kippens Town of Labrador City Town of Lewisporte Town of Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove Town of Marystown City of Mount Pearl Town of Norman 's Cove - Long Cove Town of North River Town of Northern Arm Town of Paradise Town of Pasadena Town of Peterview Town of Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove Town of Placentia Community of Port au Port East Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philips Town of Pouch Cove Town of St. George's Town of Stephenville Town of Sunnyside Town of Torbay Town of Trepassey Town of Upper Island Cove Town of Victoria Town of Wabush Town of Witless Bay CNR 1021/96 Sch ; 29/98 s1 ; 62/01 s1 ; 2/04 s1 ; 36/04 s1 ; 78/04 s1 ; 48/05 s1 ; 110/07 s1 ; 107/09 s1 ; 24/10 s1 ; 76/10 s1 ; 97/11 s1 ; 66/15 s1 ; 67/18 s1 ; 73/19 s1 ; 66/21 s1 ; 109/23 s1 ; 44/24 s1