City of Whitehorse to offer building design templates to streamline permitting

Whitehorse city council wants to make building design guides available to the public, to combat a permitting backlog.

The idea is that creating templates for common aspects of buildings, like snow stops on metal roofing, could streamline the permitting process for home builders. Coun. Dan Boyd introduced the idea with a motion on Monday. 

Boyd said it's been "tough" trying to improve the permitting process. A backlog last year resulted in approval timeframes exceeding eight weeks.

Part of the issue, Boyd said, is the National Building Code adding more requirements for houses and small buildings, which increases the demand for local engineers to review building plans.

"It slows everything down, and it's expensive, and those costs get passed on to home purchasers and the cost of our housing," Boyd said.

Providing template designs could expedite builders' ability to get approved, he said.

City manager Jeff O'Farrell clarified the templates won't eliminate the need for engineers. It will only provide guidance on some specific, common aspects of buildings.

Coun. Lenore Morris said the idea makes sense because many new buildings in Whitehorse have similar design features.

"If we can avoid duplication of work by doing some of the preliminary work for builders, then I think that's excellent," Morris said.

City councillors voted unanimously for Boyd's motion, which asks staff to budget a maximum of $50,000 for the project. It will require councillors to approve a budget amendment later this year.