Timmins’ taxpayers are being treated differently than residents living in other locations across Ontario once again.
Effective April 29, 2022, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing amended the Ontario’s Building Code concerning building permit requirements for sheds. The amendment was that sheds under 15 square metres (161 square feet) in size would be exempt from Building Code requirements. This change was to provide property owners with more flexibility for storing equipment and other belongings. A shed is exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit under section 8 of the Act provided that it is no more than 15 square metres in gross area; no more than one storey in building height; not attached to a building or any other structure; is used solely for storage purposes ancillary to a principal building on the lot; and does not have plumbing.
The Ministry amended the Ontario Building Code to give residents more flexibility, however, on April 11, 2023, our council took this flexibility away and approved a clause in the by-law. The staff report explains that “The amendment would require property owners who are building or adding a small accessory structure under 161 square feet to submit an application for a small accessory structure permit.” The cost for this permit would be $50, which is an additional cost which other Ontario taxpayers are not required to pay. Where is our flexibility the Ontario government has provided to its taxpayers?
When council asked if this would impact property taxes, no one was able to provide a definite response. When asked why residents would be required to submit an application for small accessory structures under 161 square feet, the response was that there were problems in the past with easements, etc. It was also noted that permits would allow enforcement officers to perform inspections to ensure that small accessory structures are located within the property limits. This response is not satisfactory since permits were required as per the previous bylaw. If this is a concern then why don’t all municipalities in Ontario have the same clause in their bylaws? Why does Timmins need a “stand-alone” bylaw in this regard?
There may not be a need, necessarily, for all residents to require an accessory structure on their property. The point is why should Timmins’ residents be required to follow different rules than other taxpayers living in the same province? If residents are not sure as to where their small accessory structures should go then they should have the option to discuss this with the city at no additional cost. Why was this amendment approved by council if they did not know how this would impact their constituents’ property taxes?
The Government of Ontario gave flexibility to all residents and yet the Timmins’ taxpayers are not being treated with the same fairness which leads to the question – is this just another “tax grab”?
Carol Tanguay,
Porcupine
