Sewage system permit

A buyer of a rural business with its own on-site sewage system meets this term when checking that the system was approved and is kept up as the Code requires. See also what environmental checks you need before buying.

What Ontario’s law says

The Act defines a building to include a sewage system. It says no person shall construct or demolish a building unless a permit has been issued by the chief building official (s. 8(1)). In areas where a board of health, planning board or conservation authority is responsible, a sewage system inspector has the chief building official’s powers and duties for sewage systems (s. 3.1); s. 6.2 provides the same where an upper-tier municipality, board of health or conservation authority takes on enforcement by agreement. The Act also says no person shall operate or maintain a sewage system except in accordance with the Act and the building code (s. 10.1). The Building Code says that, subject to Article 1.1.2.6., Part 8 of Division B applies to the design, construction, operation and maintenance of sewage systems.

What to check or ask

• The permit and inspection records for the system.
• Who issued the permit: the municipality or another enforcing body.
• Any outstanding orders; see work order and outstanding permit search.
• Whether the system serves the buildings and use the buyer plans.

This entry covers Ontario; check the rules where you are.