ILLEGAL SPACES
Changes to zoning bylaw to exclude basement floor areas from gross floor area calculations.

Homeowners now able to apply for building permits to legalize over height crawlspaces.

There are many residential dwellings throughout Whistler with floor spaces, such as over height crawlspaces, that do not have valid building permits or do not comply with current zoning regulations or density restrictions. Many of these spaces did not obtain building permits, when they were constructed, because they would count towards the maximum gross floor area for a property and result in a total gross floor area (GFA) exceeding the maximum permitted GFA for the property.

These illegal spaces have created uncertainty for property owners, contractors, and realtors with respect to zoning and building code compliance, in addition to potential life safety, insurance, and liability implications for owners

A recent zoning amendment bylaw excludes basement floor areas from gross floor area calculations. This provides homeowners with an opportunity now to apply for building permits to legalize existing over height crawlspaces or basements, or to apply for building permits for construction of new crawlspaces.

Click on the link below for the full story:

http://www.whistler.ca/illegalspaces