Potential home owners are reminded that they must comply with the rules and regulations of the Town Planning Department.

This was the reminder issued by Assistant Town Planner, Raymond Lorde, as he addressed the Royal Bank of Canada’s (RBC) mortgage seminar, last evening, at the Sherbourne Conference Centre.

Mr. Lorde underlined that the Town Planning Department must be “the first stop in the process, because the law requires that one first has planning permission or certification”…For instance, he said, “you come in to town planning with your draughtsman or architect, and provide your plans, which are then processed and ready within four to six weeks”.

Mr. Lorde declared that, contrary to popular belief, most persons do receive permission to build, from that department, since “only 10 to 15 % of applications are refused or rejected”. He explained that “after we approve the application, we make a check to make sure that you have laid out your building correctly”.

The Assistant Town Planner added that “the next step is obtaining your Certificate of Compliance”. This is provided when your structure “is finished and there are no more external finishings to be completed, in that all of the windows and doors are intact, the roof is on and your water tank is erected on the property, as required by law,” he added.

The building public is asked to collect an ‘Applicant’s Handbook and Guide’ from the Town Planning Department, for a listing of all building requirements. (JM)