Building By-law Review

May 2022

The NWT Cities, Towns and Villages Act gives the City authority to regulate construction practices and standards in Yellowknife. The City does this through the Building By-law.

A new Building By-law No. 5058 was adopted by City Council on May 30. This new By-law 5058, repeals and replaces Building By-law No. 4469, as amended, originally adopted in 2008.

The City’s Building By‐law provides regulations regarding the construction, alteration, repair and demolition of buildings, structures and excavations.  Council has adopted the new Building By‐law containing a full range of high‐priority construction updates and requirements.  The new By‐law provides a clear and consistent framework, clarity of process and responsiveness to the client’s needs.

The new Building By-law is straightforward, easy for the development community to follow, and helps reduce the cost of building in Yellowknife.

Explore the key elements of and changes to the Building By-law by using our ‘Factsheets’.

• New Building By-law
• Background
• Construction: Building for a Northern Climate
• Building Standards and Enforcement 
• Mechanical Systems
• CityView: Features and Benefits

Have questions or feedback?

Email: BuildingServices@yellowknife.ca 

March 2019 Update

Topic: Accepted Amendments to Section 19 of the Building By-law regarding Permit Application for a Mechanical System

The amendments to the Section 19 of the City’s Building By-law No. 4469 have been accepted by the City Council on February 25, 2019. Updated Section 19 provides clarityregarding requirements for submissionof a mechanical permit application. The amendments identify when a Mechanical System or alterations shall be designed by a Registered Design Professional.       

February 2019 Update

On February 14, 2019 Mayor Alty sent letter to Ministers Alfred Moses and Wally Schumann urging the Government of the Northwest Territories to establish a comprehensive building regime in the Northwest Territories for the purpose of providing regulatory clarity.

This letter formed part of the City’s recommendation earlier this year and was the topic of a memorandum to council.

January 2019 Update

Topic: Building Science and Energy Efficiency - Professional Development Session with Torsten Ely

The City of Yellowknife would like to invite industry professionals, contractors and the public to a free professional development event.  This professional development event is led by Torsten Ely, an Energy and Sustainability Analyst with RDH.  With over 15 years’ experience in the sustainability and high-performance building sector, Torsten Ely specializes in energy modeling, energy audits and assessments, as well as Passive House design and consulting.

The RDH team is working with the City of Yellowknife in reviewing and researching  better building practices.

RDH is a building science consulting firm focused on Making Buildings Better with a focus on the building enclosure and its interaction with other building systems.  They work extensively with government agencies and the design and construction industry. RDH has extensive expertise in whole-building energy modelling for small and large residential buildings as well as commercial offices, universities, and government buildings.

• Date: Friday, February 1st 2019
• Time: 11:30am - 1:30pm
• Location: Council Chamber, City Hall, Yellowknife 4807 - 52nd Street
• Cost: This is a free event sponsored by the City of Yellowknife

If you have missed the presentation, a copy of the Power Point is here:  February 1, 2019 Building Science Presentation

December 2018 Update 

Topic: Inspection Request Turn-around Times, Use of Digital Pictures and Professional Forms

The City of Yellowknife is looking for input on changes to the Building By-law’s regulations in the following areas:

1. The turn-around time for an inspection request;
2. Consideration of the City accepting Digital Photos from contractors and the public in lieu of site inspections; and
3. Acceptance Letters of Assurance from architects and engineers more frequently for construction

Engagement Opportunities

1. Attend a Technical Session 
   1. Session 1 – Thursday January 10^th, 2019 (12:30 pm - 2:00 pm); Main Boardroom, City Hall 
   2. Session 2 - Thursday, January 24^th, 2019 (12:00 pm - 1:30 pm); Main Boardroom, City Hall
2. If you can’t attend a technical session please forward comments through the feedback form at the bottom of this page. 
3. We are also available by phone at (867) 920-5660.

Topic:  Ideas to Resolve Conflicts Related to Building By-law processes and regulations

The City of Yellowknife is looking for practical solutions to resolve conflicts which can happen during the building process.  We would like feedback on the possibility of creating a resolution process in advance of the Appeal mechanism in the Building By-law. Specific discussion topics for this session are:

1. What are examples of conflict during the building process – when does this happen?
2. What does the current process look like and what could work better?
3. What are your ideas about creating a “Made in Yellowknife Approach/Process for Overcoming Construction Conflict” that considers the short summer season.

The goal is to develop respectful solutions in advance of an appeal process.

Engagement Opportunities

1.  Attend a Technical Session 
   1. Session 1 – Tuesday January 15^th, 2019 (11:30 pm – 1:30 pm); Main Boardroom,
   2. City Hall Session 2 – Tuesday January 22^nd 2019 (11:30 pm – 1:30 pm); Main Boardroom, City Hall
2. If you’re not able to attend a technical session please forward comments through the feedback form at the bottom of this page.
3. We are also available by phone at (867) 920-5660.

October 2018 Update

Topic: Information Sessions Regarding Upcoming Changes to Fees and Charges related to the City's Building By-law

Based on the recommendations of Planning & Development Operational Review, on June 14, 2018 Council adopted new Fees and Charges related to Building By-law No. 4469 effective January 1, 2019.

The City is hosting two information sessions to explain how the new Building By-Law Fees and Charges will be calculated.

How to learn more about the changes:

1. Attend a Public Session 
   1. Session 1 - Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018 (7:00 pm - 8:00 pm); Council Chamber,
   2. City Hall Session 2 - Tuesday, October 30th, 2018 (12:00 pm - 1:00 pm); Council Chamber, City Hall
2. If you can’t attend a session but have questions about building Fees and Charges please contact the City’s Building Inspections Division at 867-920-5629 or by clicking on the form below:
3. Additional resources
   1. Fee and Charges By-law No. 4436
   2. Building By-law and Fees Explained

September 2018 Update

TECHNICAL SESSIONS BEGIN FOR BUILDING BY-LAW AMENDMENTS

Topic: Update to the Mechanical Permit Requirements

The City of Yellowknife is looking for input on changes to the Building By-law’s regulations on Mechanical Permits.

Engagement Opportunities

1.  Attend a Technical Session 
   1. Session 1 - Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 (12:30 pm - 2:00 pm); Main Boardroom, City Hall 
   2. Session 2 - Thursday, October 25th, 2018 (12:00 pm - 1:30 pm); Main Boardroom, City Hall 
   3. Session 3 - Thursday, November 15th, 2018 (10:00 am - 12:00 pm); Lower Boardroom, City Hall
2. If you can’t attend a technical session please forward comments through the feedback form at the bottom of this page.  
3. We are also available by phone at (867) 920-5660.

Topic: Update to the Residential & Commercial Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards

The City of Yellowknife is looking for input on changes to the Building By-law’s regulations on Residential & Commercial Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, specifically in the following areas:

1. Regulation vs. Incentive
2. Jurisdictional Review
3. Proposed Approach for Yellowknife
4. Operational Implementation

Engagement Opportunities

1. Attend a Technical Session 
   1. Session 1 - Thursday, November 8th, 2018 (12:00 pm - 1:30 pm); Main Boardroom, City Hall 
   2. Session 2 - Friday, November 16th, 2018 (12:00 pm - 1:30 pm); Main Boardroom, City Hall
2. If you can’t attend a technical session please forward comments through the feedback form at the bottom of this page. 
3. We are also available by phone at (867) 920-5660.

August 2018 Update

ENERGUIDE RESIDENTIAL ENERGY RATING SYSTEM - BUILDING PERMIT & OCCUPANCY PERMIT REQUIREMENTS. EFFECTIVE AUGUST 7, 2018

As part of the implementation of the changes to the City’s Building By-law related to the EnerGuide system, please note the following permitting requirements:

All residential buildings such as single family dwellings, multi-residential buildings (up to three storeys and up to 600m²), and also factory-built homes are required to be energy evaluated using the current version of the EnerGuide system. Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) EnerGuide rating system (0-100 scale) evaluations will only be accepted by NRCan until December 2019. The City recommends that any new building permit applications starting August 7, 2018 be evaluated using the new version of the EnerGuide rating system (GJ energy consumption).  For clarification please note the following, effective August 7, 2018:

The City will require:

1. “P file” (as designed) as part of supporting documentation for Building Permit applications (foundations only or the whole building);
2. “N file” (as built) is required as part of the supporting documentation for Occupancy;
3. EnerGuide evaluation label to be affixed in the home at the time of final building inspection along with any other supporting documentation, as required pursuant to the Building By-law.

June 2018 Update

CHANGES TO CITY’S BUILDING BY-LAW

On Monday June 25, 2018 Council adopted changes to the City’s Building By-law No. 4469.  These changes are related to Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) announcement that the current EnerGuide rating system (0-100 scale) will be retired as of December 31, 2018. In its place NRCan has developed the updated voluntary EnerGuide residential energy rating system using a Gigajoule (GJ) scale and introduced it to the Canadian market.

Key changes to the City’s updated Building By-law

All residential buildings such as single family dwellings, multi-residential buildings (up to three storeys and up to 600m²), and also factory-built homes are required to be energy evaluated using the current version of the EnerGuide system. The EnerGuide system label is required to be affixed in the home at the time of final building inspection.

The City of Yellowknife urges customers that have recently received a Conditional Occupancy, but do not have an EnerGuide label, to finalize their energy evaluation at the earliest convenience.  New customers or residents with questions about the building process are encouraged to contact the City’s Building Inspections Division, or by clicking our Feedback form below.

We Would Like to Hear From You

We would like to hear from you on how the City can improve our Building By-law. Please contact us through our "Contact Us" Section on the right hand side of the page, or the "Feedback" form at the bottom of the page.