The Building Division is responsible for administration and enforcement of the Ontario Building Code (Purpose of the Ontario Building Code) and the municipality's Building and Property Standards By-laws, along with various other statutes and regulations. The purpose of these regulations is to safeguard life, limb and health by establishing appropriate minimum standards.

Division responsibilities include:

• Plans examination (Building By-Law 2008-125)
• Permit issuance (Building Permits - Why, When and How)
• Inspections
• Administration and enforcement of:
• By-Law 2005-150 – Comprehensive Zoning By-Law regulating the use of land and the erection, use, height and location of buildings
• By-Law 2005-151 – A by-law providing special exceptions from the provisions of By-Law 2005-150
• Property Standards By-Law 94-54 – A standard of maintenance by-law imposing minimum standards which the City expects property owners to maintain. It is designed to protect the health and safety of occupants, and to address the general appearance of the property. (This by-law is currently being updated.)
• Yards By-Law 76-185 – Regarding the filling up, draining, cleaning and clearing of grounds, yards and vacant lots and debris on private property.
• By-Law 2009-50 – Commonly cited as the "Sewer By-law” regulates private sewage disposal systems, sewers and drains.
• Streets By-Law 2008-131 - The streets by-law regulates the temporary closing of, activities on, excavations in, access cross, occupation of, and the projection over the municipal street right of way. All these activities must be approved by the Commissioner of Engineering, the Chief Building Official, or the Commissioner of Public works as the case may by as contained in the by-law.
• Signs By-Law 2005-166 - A by-law to regulate the placement of all types of signs throughout the city by restricting the location, type of sign, height of sign, and area of signage. A permit is required for all types of signs including billboard, portable, pole, face, hanging, and roof signs - Download the Portable Sign Permit here.  An application for a permit can be obtained from the building division. Upon application submittal 2 copies of plans should be submitted that would detail the location and structural elements of the sign.
• Moving By-Law 84-170 (Revised February 11, 2010) - A By-law to regulate the moving of structures on the streets of the City of Sault Ste. Marie by a system of permits.
• Work Order Inquiries/ Zoning Compliance Requests
• Issuance of Moving, Occupancy and Demolition of Building Permits
• Administration of the Property Standards Committee. This committee is composed of three citizens appointed by City Council to hear appeals of work orders issued by the Property Standards Officer. The Committee’s deliberation can result in the Property Standards Officer’s order being amended, quashed or approved in its original form.
• Pool Regulations
• Ontario Building Code 'Interior Guards Details - SB-7' Booklet
• Ontario Building Code 'Exterior Guards Details - SB-7' Booklet
• Standard Details for Detached Decks Information Sheet

Don Maki
Chief Building Official

Level V – Civic Centre
99 Foster Drive, P.O. Box 580
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 5N1

Telephone: (705) 759-5399
Fax: (705) 541-7165
e-mail: d.maki@cityssm.on.ca