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 Frequently Asked QuestionsThis page is under development1. Building Department
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1. Building Department |
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A building permit is a document issued by a municipal building department which, when issued , grants an applicant or their agent legal permission to begin a building project.
The Building Permit application begins the process of review of the project designs (plan examination) to ensure that compliance of the zoning requirements, (contained in municipal by-laws), and building standards (contained in the Ontario Building Code) are satisfied for the health, safety, and welfare of the public who will be occupying the building. The actual construction is subject to inspections by City of Pembroke Building Inspectors in accordance with the Ontario Building Code and other applicable standards and legislation before work is concealed by floor or wall finishes and also gives building officials the means to enforce the requirements of various standards.
Why is a building permit required?
Building permits are required to ensure zoning requirements, (contained in municipal by-laws), and building safety standards (contained in the Ontario Building Code) are satisfied. The Ontario Building Code is a provincial regulation administered by the Housing Development and Buildings Branch of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Under the Building Code Act, local governments are given authority for the enforcement of the Ontario Building Code within their municipality.
When is a building permit required?
A building permit is required for new construction, additions, alterations, renovations, relocations, and repairs or rehabilitation of a building or structure. Some minor repairs do not require a permit. Listed below are some typical projects and whether or not they require a permit. Electrical, mechanical, heating and plumbing permits may also be required.The following are examples of projects that WOULD require a building permit:
The following are examples of projects that WOULD NOT require a building permit:
- Replacement of stucco, siding, or shingles with the same material.
- Replacement of doors when the opening is not altered.
- Construction of fences (except when required for pool installation).
- Patching, painting, and decorating.
- Installation of cabinets and shelves.
Please Note: If you are still not certain whether or not your project requires a building permit, please contact the Building Department at (613) 735-6821, Extension 1331 and our staff will be able to assist you in making that determination.
Where do I apply for a building / sign permit?
You can make an application for building and sign permits, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at:City Hall
Building Department
P hone: (613) 735-6821, Extension 1331
Fax: (613) 735-3660Mailing Address:
PO Box 2771 Pembroke St E
Pembroke ON K8A 6X3
What can result from not obtaining a building permit?
Plan examination ensures that proposed projects conform to the City's Zoning By-law, Ontario Building Code requirements and other applicable legislation.Depending on the complexity of the project, plan examination of applications may take up to 10 working days for residential projects and up to 30 working days or more for commercial, industrial, and institutional projects.
Note: All drawings submitted to the Building Section with a permit application may be subject to approvals from other departments or agencies prior to issuance of a building permit. Therefore, to ensure prompt issuance of permits, submitted drawings should be as accurate as possible. This will expedite the plan examination and will ensure that you get your permit as promptly as possible.
How do I arrange for inspections?
It is the responsibility of the owner, or his or her agent, to call for inspections during certain stages of project construction. A schedule outlining the inspections that need to be made for the project is outlined on the issued building permit, however, for complex projects (and some minor projects), a schedule of inspections may be required. To arrange an inspection, please call our office at (613) 735-6821, Extension 1331 at least 48 hours in advance to schedule the date for the inspector to visit your project.Residential inspections, depending on the construction being done, may include some or all of the following stages: footings prior to backfill, foundations, framing, insulation, final/occupancy, fireplace rough-in, sewer and water rough-in, plumbing rough-in.
Do I need a Sign Permit, if so, why?
Our Sign By-law states that a sign permit must be obtained for the placement or erection of all sign permits to ensure that sign structures are constructed in a safe manner, and conform to the City of Pembroke By-Laws and other applicable requirements.
In the City of Pembroke, all property owners are required to maintain their property (internally and externally) in a neat and tidy condition so as not to detract from the neighbouring environment or present a hazard to any person. Minimum standards for the maintenance and occupancy of all properties in the City of Pembroke are enforced by the Property Standards Officer on a signed, written complaint basis only or email submitted providing complete email address . To be equitable to everyone, complaints are dealt with in the order in which they are received.
What is Committee of Adjustment?
The Committee of Adjustment reviews applications for Minor Variance and Severances. A Minor Variance application is completed to allow property owners to infringe on setback requirements and building and zoning restrictions. A Severance application is completed to allow property owners to divide land into separate properties to be held by the same owner or separate owners. A Minor Variance application can be accessed by clicking here. A Severance application can be accessed by clicking here.
2. Operations |
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When and how often is my street cleaned?
The street cleaning program starts in early Spring and continues until the first snow fall. In the spring we clean all City streets of sand and debris from the previous winter. The remainder of the year the streets are swept as required.
My ditch/culvert is full of leaves and is causing flooding.
Property owners are encouraged to remove leaves from their ditches to avoid blockage and possible flooding problems. Leave should not be raked into ditches in the fall. Should the covert at your property become blocked with debris, please call us at 735-6821 x 1409.
I would like to widen my driveway, is there a cost involved?
Curb cuts are completed at scheduled periods throughout the year. An application is required to be completed and the cost is based a per foot measurement. A permitted driveway access is based on lot frontage and cannot exceed 20 feet or 30% whichever is the lesser. Residents are not to alter curbs without permission of the municipality.
The sidewalk in front of my house is broken/raised and dangerous.
Please contact us at 735-6821 x 1409. City staff will examine and assess the damage. An appropriate patch or replacement will be completed as soon as possible. If required, the location will be noted for replacement at a later date as part of our sidewalk repair program.
The roadside curb it front of my property is broken.
Please contact us at 735-6821 x 1409. City staff will examine and assess the damage. An appropriate patch or replacement will be completed as soon as possible. If required, the location will be noted for replacement at a later date as part of our curb repair program.
The boulevard in front of my house was dug up and needs to be repaired.
The boulevard in front of your house may have been dug up either by the City or one of the other utility companies. If you are unsure of who is responsible for the repair please call us at 735-6821 x 1409. We will confirm if the City is responsible and will try to provide you with some time frame when the work will be completed. If you are aware that another utility company was responsible for digging up the boulevard please contact them directly.
What is the City doing about potholes on our streets?
All streets in the City are reviewed on a continual basis. All potholes identified we be repaired as quickly as possible. If you do spot a pothole please call use at 735-6821 x 1409.
I have damaged my car from a pothole, is the City responsible for the costs to repair the damage?
Generally speaking, the City is not held responsible for costs to repair vehicles damaged by potholes. However, you are entitled to submit your claim for damages by forwarding a letter outlining the date and location of the damages, and an invoice or estimate detailing the repairs required. This information should be sent to the Chief Administrative Officer at City of Pembroke, PO Box 277, Pembroke ON K8A 6X3..
Our street sign or traffic sign (stop) is missing or damaged.
Please contact us at 735-6821 x 1409.
One of the street lights has burned out, who should I contact to have it repaired?
Street lights and vehicle traffic lights are the responsibility of Ottawa River Power Corporation. They can be contact at 732-3687. Please contact the City of repairs required to pedestrian crossing signals at 735-6821 x 1409.
I have water coming up through my basement floor drain, do you clear blocked sewer services?
If you experience water coming up through your floor drain either during or following a rain storm, or while using using large amounts or water (i.e. laundry) you may have a blocked sewer service. When you report your condition at 735-6821 x 1409, a City crew will respond to your property and undertake the most appropriate means to correct your problem. You also have the option of calling a private contractor or plumber to undertake the repair.
Is there a cost to clear my blocked sewer service?
Yes. The City fees are defined by our Schedule for Fees and Charges, click here, during normal and overtime working hours. The cost for this service may also be determined according to the nature of the blockage, the location of the blockage and the equipment used to clear the blockage.
What sewer clearing charges would I be responsible for?
If blockage is found, the property owner is responsible for the line in the building up to the main City line.
If there is not adequate access to the sewer service from an appropriate sewer service cleanout, the property owner is responsible to hire a private contractor or plumber to install.
Are there other methods to determine location or cause of a blockage?
Yes. The City also provides, at a cost to the property owner, a service to TV the sewer line to determine the cause of the blockage and/or the condition of the sewer pipe. The cost of this service is approximately $100 but is directly based on the length of the service.
What if I need to replace my sewer service?
If the inspection confirms that you need to replace your sewer pipe, the property owner is responsible for arranging the replacement of the sewer pipe from the building connection to the main City line.
If I replace my sewer service, do I need a Plumbing Permit?
Yes. A plumbing permit is required at a cost to the homeowner as per our Schedule of Fees and Charges, click here. The plumbing permit helps to protect the interest of the property owner as the process requires that the sewer installation is inspected by a Plumbing Inspector before the trench is backfilled. Please contact the Building Department at 735-6821 x 1331.
What if the water in my basement is caused by the main sewer?
Should the cause of the sewer back-up be determined to be the Main Sewer, and personal property is damaged, the property owner should provide a letter outlining damages to the Chief Administrative Officer, City of Pembroke, PO Box 277, Pembroke ON K8A 6X3.
I need to have my water turned off at the curb stop for plumbing repairs, is there a cost and can it be turned back on the same day?
Yes there is a cost for this service as per our Schedule of Fees and Charges, click here. If the turn off is for a minimum amount of time, one charge may only be required. If crews are asked to return back later in the day or a future day, a second charge will be applied for the turn on.
I believe I have low water pressure as it takes too long to fill the bath tub or do laundry.
Depending on the age of your home it could be that you need to upgrade your water line. Many older homes have a smaller water service which may not provide sufficient volume for your water needs. You would need to hire a contractor to replace the water service to your property line. A plumbing permit would be required. Please contact the Building Department at 735-6821 x 1331.
If we have used or have flushed a hydrant in your area this will often disturb any sediment in the water line. Usually the discoloured water disappears if you run the cold water tap for 15-20 minutes at the location closest to the water shut off however, if the problem persists please call 735-6821 x 1409.
There is water bubbling up in my front lawn and/or on the street.
This is probably a water main or water service leak. We would appreciate a call at 735-6821 x 1409.
Roadway flooding due to heavy rainfall.
During periods of heavy rainfall, the roadway drainage and storm sewer systems may not have sufficient capacity to drain the water as quickly as during normal rainfall. Please allow the system adequate time to clear. However, if you are aware of a blocked catch basin or culvert that could result in property damage, please call us at 735-6821 x 1409.
The water curb stop has raised up on my lawn and it is a problem when I am cutting the grass.
This does happen due to the frost in the winter. We ask that in the spring time, you wait until the frost is out of the ground. If the problem persists please call use at 735-6821 x 1409.
I want to dig on my property and I would like someone to locate all underground utility lines (water, gas, hydro).
The City of Pembroke provides locates for water and sewer services and can be arranged by phone 735-6821 x 1409. All other services can be contact by contacting Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255. Their web site is http://www.on1call.com/ooc1.htm. There is no cost involved.
There are paint marks all over my front lawn/boulevard, is there going to be work done?
To confirm if and/or what type of work is being planned you should contact the City of Pembroke Works Department at 735-6821 x 1409.
3. Garbage, Recycling and Organics |
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Please refer to the Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Web Site for further information.
How do I get a collection calendar?
Contact the City of Pembroke Works Department at 735-6821 x 1410 or the Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre at 735-7537.
My garbage/recycling/organics has not been picked up? When is my garbage day?
The City of Pembroke is responsible for the collection of all household waste, recycling and organic material. A Private Contractor is used to provided the collection service. There are many possibilities to missed collection so it is important that proper collection items in the amount permitted be placed curbside the previous evening to your collection day.
All applicable properties East of the Muskrat River are collected on Tuesdays and properties West of the Muskrat River are collected on Wednesdays. Click here for schedules.
How many special garbage collections are available?
At this time, there are two special garbage collections in the City of Pembroke, one is the Spring and one in the Fall. Dates for these events are on the collection calendar. Click here for guidelines and restrictions.
When is leaf and yard waste collected? Are there restrictions?
Leaf and yard waste is collected on your regular collection day twice in the Spring and three times in the fall. This material is send to a separate composting pad whether the waste is turned in compostable material suitable for many garden and landscaping requirements. Dates for these events will be advertised to allow for best possible collection scheduling. Click here for further information.
My green organic cart is broken.
Please contact the City's Works Department at 735-6821 x 1410 to make arrangements for an exchange.
How many garbage bags am I permitted?
Each residential or permissible commercial unit is permitted a maximum of four (4) bags of garbage every two weeks.
4. Snow Removal |
What is the City's policy for clearing City streets following a winter storm?
Please refer to our Roads & Fleet web page for information.
Do I have to shovel the sidewalk in front of my house/business?
Current City policy does not enforce sidewalk shovelling by the property owners in front of their properties. City By-law 68-12 does provide for property owners keeping the sidewalks on certain streets in the downtown area free from snow and ice. The City is currently reviewing this item and any updates will be provided.
Why does the plow push the snow back onto my driveway after I've spent several hours shovelling it?
Snow plows have no place to push snow except to the curb or shoulder of the road, and that includes any driveways in their path. The City realizes this causes some hardship and we ask for your understanding as our main goal is to make the roads as safe as possible. Please do not call to request removal of this snow as this is not a service we provided.
If the City plow damages my driveway, curb or grass boulevard, who is responsible for restoring them.
The City is responsible for the repair of any plow damage to the roadway or grass boulevards.
5. Mayor and Council |
Can I get a congratulatory letter or certificate from the Mayor for a special event?
The Mayor issues congratulatory certificates for birthdays and anniversaries and new businesses. Requests for certificates may be emailed to pembroke@pembroke.ca or mailed to the Office of the Mayor, PO Box 277, 1 Pembroke St E Pembroke ON K8A 6X3. Phone: (613) 735-6821 x 1303. You need to provide the following information:
- The name of the requester and contact information
- The full name(s) and address of the recipient(s) including their suffix Mr., Mrs., Ms., business name, etc.
- The address where the certificate is to be mailed (or if you would like to pick it up in person) the occasion being celebrated and the date of the birthday or anniversary and the date when the certificate is required.
Requests for certificates should be sent to the Mayor's Office at least four weeks prior to the date required. Please write "Congratulatory Letter/Certificate" in the subject area of your email to assist in processing.
How can I ask the Mayor to attend my function or event?
To invite the Mayor to your event or function, please call (613) 735-6821 x 1303. Your request should include the date, time, location and nature of the event, a contact person and relevant phone numbers. You should also include details regarding the specific role for the Mayor. For example, if you would like the Mayor to speak at your event, please indicate this in your request.
Please allow the office at least seven working days to process and respond to your request. Bookings for the Mayor are made at least one month in advance. Our office will contact you to confirm or regret the Mayor's attendance.
Can I meet with the Mayor in person? How can I arrange this?
To request a meeting with the Mayor please call (613) 735-6821 x 1303. Please allow the office at least seven working days to process and respond to your request.
6. Planning |
How many persons may occupy a dwelling?
How can I find out what my property is zoned?
How can I find out what uses are permitted by the zoning or where I may place a building on my lot?
When do you need a Zoning By-law amendment and how long with it take?
Am I subject to Site Plan Control?
When do you need a Site Plan Agreement and how long does it take?
7. Engineering - Traffic and Parking |
Who should I contact to report a broken or malfunctioning traffic signal?
How do I get a 4-way stop installed at an intersection in my neighbourhood?
What is the speed limit on my street?
I would like something done about the vehicles that speed on my street.
I am planning an event that will require the use or closure of a City road or sidewalk. How do I obtain permission?
Who do I contact about a hedge or tree that blocks a portion of a sidewalk?
Who do I contact about a hedge or tree that block visibility at an intersection?
Who do I contact to request the installation of a new traffic sign or move an existing traffic sign on my street or report an obstructed/missing traffic sign?
Who do I contact to report a malfunctioning street light?
Who do I contact to report a malfunctioning pedestrian crossing light?
How do I obtain traffic volumes for a stretch of road?
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