Rocky View County is reminding residents on behalf of the Provincial government, of the requirement for inspections on all flood repair work related to the June flooding, as part of eligibility for Disaster Recovery Program funding.
“Homes in flood fringe areas that have been, or will be repaired require a Flood Mitigation Permit in order to qualify for provincial assistance,” stated a press release from the County.
“This permit is filled out by a Rocky View County Safety Codes Officer during a home inspection, and includes building, electrical and plumbing certifications,” the release reads.
Though the press release stated that the permit is filled out by a Rocky View County Safety Officers, Anna Melnick, Rocky View Communications Services, said because the program is from the Government of Alberta, she could not comment on what the Rocky View County Safety Officers would specifically be looking for.
“The Province has directed municipalities to conduct the inspections,” she said in an email to Rocky View Weekly.
According to a Building Code Bulletin from the Alberta government, the inspectors will be looking for electrical equipment to be located above the flood level, such as a basement, and the use of building materials and finishes which are less likely to be damaged by flood water or are easier to restore if they were to be exposed to flood damage.
A list of flood-damage resistant building materials acceptable for reconstruction work under the Disaster Recovery Program can be found in the appendix notes of the Building Code Bulletin at
www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca by searching 06-BCB-009R1.
“Some homeowners may have completed repair work that did not require an inspection by Rocky View County, but the Province’s Flood Mitigation Permit requirement means that Safety Code Officers will need to visit and inspect these homes to ensure eligibility for the Disaster Recovery Program,” the Rocky View County press release reads.
Homeowners may have to pay an inspection fee out of pocket but they can seek reimbursement from the provincial program.
“If the homeowner already has a Development Permit or a Building Permit, there is no additional charge. If the homeowner does not have a permit, the cost is approximately $156 for each of the inspections needed,” Melnick said, adding up to three inspections may be required for electrical, construction, and plumbing and heating.
“This is a new requirement of the Province and not a Rocky View County initiative.”
For more information about the Disaster Recovery Program or the Flood Mitigation Permit, visit alberta.ca
