Part 3: Large and Complex Buildings

All permits related to Commercial, Multi-Family, and Industrial buildings categorized under Part 3 of the MB Building Code must be acquired through our office at the RM of Headingley. Part 3 Buildings include those classified as Group A, B, or F-1, or exceeding 600 m2 in building area or exceeding three storeys in building height and encompass major occupancies. This can involve Group C (residential), Group D (office/service), Group E (retail), or Group F-2, F-3 (medium- and high-hazard industrial).

Apply for a permit Here

The review of permits involves the following:

Zoning and Land Use

  • Permitted uses.
  • Yard / Setback requirements.
  • Parking and loading necessities.

Processes for altering or amending these requirements include rezoning the land, applying for a Conditional Use, or requesting a Zoning Variance, among others.

Building Code

  • Architectural concerns
  • Fire protection standards
  • Environmental separation regulations
  • Structural integrity
  • Mechanical systems compliance

Compliance with the building code is mandatory. While waivers for code requirements are not allowed, alternatives meeting the code's performance levels may be considered (refer to MBC - Division C - Section 2.3 Alternative Solutions).

Plan Requirements

Building plans for permit submission include building plans drawn to scale. These plans must detail the nature and extent of work or proposed occupancy in sufficient detail to ensure conformity to the code (Division C - Article 2.2.2.1). Timely submission of accurate information and documents is vital to ensure prompt permit issuance. Addressing missing information or code deficiencies swiftly is crucial to prevent undue delays in permit issuance.

Submitting plans for a building application should consist of:

  1. Status or Certificate of Title
    A current copy (within 30 days) of the Status or Certificate of Title must be submitted. Where there has been a recent change of ownership, a signed letter is required from your lawyer stating who the purchaser and seller are and that the purchase documents have been forwarded to the Land Titles office for registration. 

  2. Letters of Assurances for inspection and certifications 
    1. Fire protection – Part 3
    2. Structural – Part 4
    3. Environmental Separation – Part 5
    4. Mechanical – Part 6

  3. Site Plan
    1. All buildings and dimensions of all building
    2. Lot Grading in conformance with design grades and/or by-laws
    3. Dimensions from building to building and to property lines
    4. Parking, loading, and fence details, etc.
    5. North arrow for building orientation
    6. Street and lane locations, including access routes for firefighting
    7. Location of fire hydrants and sprinkler connection, catch basins, etc.

  4. Architectural drawings:
    1. Sealed, signed and dated by an Architect. For A3 and F occupancies - Architect or Professional Engineer are permitted
    2. Building design summary
    3. Building area (new & existing), building height and location of firewall
    4. Floor layout(s)
    5. Building elevations
    6. Building section details
    7. Building wall details, including fire test assembly reference, flame-spread rating
    8. Stair, guard and handrail details
    9. Door schedule, including size, rating and hardware

  5. Structural drawings: 
    1. Sealed, signed and dated by P. Eng.
    2. Foundation, floor(s), roof plans
    3. Structural details
    4. Design loads, including snow, dead, live & wind loads
    5. General notes, including soil conditions, material standard references; concrete, wood, steel

  6. Mechanical drawings: 
    1. Sealed, signed and dated by P. Eng.
    2. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning details
    3. Fire dampers/fire stop flaps, etc.
    4. Make up air and exhaust

Required Documents / Checklist

These documents will be required as you apply for your permit online.

  1. Application Form
  2. Site Plan 
  3. Plans current within 1 year of application. See above for details
  4. MB Building Code Analysis of the project
  5. Energy Code Review
  6. Status of Title (current within 30 days of application) 
  7. Development Permit
  8. Letter of Authorization (Required if someone is filling out the application on behalf of the owner) 
  9. Letters of Assurance