On a fairly regular basis we are asked something along the lines of …
My husband and I are in love with Earthships…both of us for different reasons. His being the money and mine being the environment. That being said we were wondering how hard and how long you waited for permits to build and how hard was it to find electricians and plumbers…etc to work and approve the project?
Permits are definitely a concern if you are going to build under the jurisdiction of a building authority. When I actually took the time to list all of the permits (see below) it struck me as fairly daunting. All I can really say is that we have dealt with each required permit as it occurs; some permits took additional time, they all cost something upfront and building to the permit specifications will obviously increase some costs. All of these permits are simply the reality of building in British Columbia today. To this point we have encountered nothing that has made it impossible to proceed with our project, nor do we expect to. Your best first step in building is to go in and speak with the inspectors from your local building authority.
The permits and issues that were a reality for us include:
- septic field site inspection
- HPO
- Building Permit
- Plumbing Permit
- Stove (solid wood burning appliance) Permit
- Electrical Permit
Septic Field Site Inspection
If you are building a new home or upgrading an existing home in British Columbia you are required to plan for and install a septic system. All work on your septic system must be completed by a Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioner. We were fortunate to have an existing septic system on our site that was suitable under the existing regulations for our proposed home. No allowances were made for reducing the system size due to the reduced waste flow expected from an earthship. I am not sure how hard it would be to get approval for a system outside of the regulatory framework. Although we do not expect our system to be used at all close to capacity, we felt it was easier to comply with existing regulations.
Homeowner Protection Office
As of 2007 all home builders in BC must guarantee their buildings from various defects, and pay into a provincial insurance program against the possibility of their buildings not meeting this guarantee. From the HPO website:
As of November 19, 2007, individuals wanting to be an owner builder of a new home are required to obtain an Owner Builder Authorization from the HPO and to pay a fee, prior to commencing construction of that new home. These requirements are in effect for all areas of British Columbia, regardless of whether building permits are required or not and are in keeping with amendments to the Homeowner Protection Act and Regulation. Read our information bulletin for Owner Builders.
Building Permit
We obtained a building permit from our local building authority. In our case our plans were also signed and sealed by an engineer.
Plumbing Permit
In addition to the building permit we must also obtain a plumbing permit detailing the interior plumbing of our building. This permit is separate from the building permit, and we have not submitted for it yet. I expect this permit will be pulled sometime this year.
Stove Permit
We built a site-constructed solid fuel heater (a wood stove) and had to get a permit for it. Any stove installation requires a permit.
Electrical Permit
Any house constructed in BC requires a separate electrical permit, and yes we have one of these too.
Sandra has itemized all of our costs on an on-going basis, and I am certain these costs are itemized in her running tally of our expenses. I do not remember what all of our costs were, and I hesitate to estimate …
For an itemization of permit costs…https://www.darfieldearthship.com/2010/12/updated-expenses-as-of-december-30-2010.html
Sandra
Hi Sandra,
I have recently found your website and are interested in your lifestyle and choices. I have a keen interest in lessening my impact on the earth as well. I recently moved from Calgary to Valemount, and am hoping to build a straw bale house this summer. I have not yet purchased property for this as I would like a community of like minded people. Dunster, on the road to McBride, is an agricultural community that seems to have a strong sense of community. It was described to me by one resident as “we are mostly old hippies” which tells me it may have less capitalist focus. It is, however, a bit farther north than I was hoping to be. Clearwater or Little Fort was more my ideal as far as climate. Can you tell me whether you find your community to agree with your philosophy in general? Thank you very much for any help you can provide.
Anne
I think our geographic community is very interested in what we are doing in building an earthship. Despite what people may think I don’t think we are very different from other people here. I’m guessing we are just more prepared to leap into things. I find lots of people with a similiar concern for food safety…there is actually a food network on this issue in the Clearwater/Barriere areas. And lots of folks are experimenting with things like alternative energy. I just wouldn’t categorize them as being a “sustainable” community per se. Interestingly, we find the older generation (born before 1940) have been living the “sustainable” lifestyle all along!
I grew up in this area and moved away for 13 years before returning to raise a family, so I’ve always felt a part of the community. I went to school with many of the teachers, school bus drivers and in the 14 years since I returned I’ve come to know many people a lot better than I did when I left at 18. My parents ran one of the largest businesses here in the 80’s so my family has very good roots here and to me it has always been “home”. I’ve always felt I shared many ideals with many people here.
I think what you may be asking, though, is if there is strong, practical support for the kind of philosophy and lifestyle we have chosen. No, there have been no discussions or movements to form a “community” like that, that I know of. It would be interesting if there was, but I also find it interesting to be just one more different person among many. Some areas, like you mentioned, have become known for their sense of community in one philosophy or undertaking. The city of Nelson, BC is like this. In fact in 1998 we went to a straw bale workshop there because it was where the “action” was.
I think if you are considering Clearwater or Little Fort you will find the folks very accommodating of you and friendly (we have good friends in both communitites), but I’m guessing you may not find it like Dunster, or even, Nelson.
There is talk all the time of starting earthship communities in BC, much like the one in Taos New Mexico. Having stayed in an earthship in Taos for a night, I can tell you it is certainly an awesome thing to see 60+ earthships in a subdivision-like setting. I think there are plans that are further along in Ontario, to be honest, for earthship communities.
Do you think there would be significant differences with regards to permits in Toronto?
Not sure what the Toronto bylaws would permit, but I’m assuming aesthetics would play a role. Toronto’s code is part of the Ontario building code, which in turn is adapted from The National Building Code…however a region or municipality has great leeway in adapting even the provincial adaptation to its own needs/requirements/desires. I have yet to hear of an earthship being approved in a major Canadian city…but if you know of any we would love to hear about it!