When it comes to building a new structure on your farm, it is important to know if agricultural buildings are exempt from building regulations before starting construction. At Twin Maple Construction, they understand how important it is to ensure that any structure being built follows the correct regulations put in place by the federal, provincial, and municipal governments. That is why their team will take care of obtaining all of the building permits for you and will take the time to ensure that all building regulations are being properly adhered to.
Are Farm Buildings Exempt from Building Regulations?
Under the National Building Code of Canada, farm buildings are given separate attention from other types of buildings because they are often subject to low human occupancy load, located in remote areas, and are special in nature with respect to the occupancies involved. The National Building Code of Canada sets out the minimum requirements affecting human health, fire safety, and structural sufficiency, and the British Columbia Building Code requires that all farm buildings within municipal districts conform to the national code.
Farm buildings that are on land that is designated for agricultural use and with farm status under the Assessment Act must comply with the requirements of the National Building Code and with all applicable zoning regulations; however, any farm buildings that are outside of municipal and regional district jurisdictions are exempt from certain building regulations.
Farm Building Engineering
While proper building layout will maximize the overall efficiency of a farm’s operations, engineering design and good construction practices will ensure that all farm structures are safe, durable, and long lasting. Before constructing a building, it is important to receive input from an engineer on the building plans to ensure that snow, rain, wind, soil, and other factors are being properly recognized. The National Building Code of Canada specifies a range of additional loads that the building designer will need to be aware of when preparing the drawings and outlining standards and specifications.
Since farm buildings tend to have wide open areas and high clearances, they are particularly vulnerable to wind and snow loads. This means that proper engineering is critical for preventing serious structural failures and the possibility of losing human and animal life.
If you would like to learn more about whether or not agricultural buildings are exempt from building regulations, or if you are interested in their agricultural construction services, please contact Twin Maple Construction at 604-854-6790 or by filling out a contact form on their website.