Canadian city fines itself for failing to get a building permit for building renovation

The City of Guelph, Ontario, charged itself for failing to obtain a building permit before starting change room renovations at a community center.

The city will pay the Province of Ontario a $1,125 fine for the infraction. Earlier this year, the city completed renovations on a change room at the West End Community Centre. Later, staff realized a building permit had been applied for, but had not been obtained.

So, the city closed the change room. It was reopened after a full final inspection was completed by the building services department. The deputy chief administrative officer for infrastructure, development and enterprise, said the city has to hold itself to the same rigorous standards as other building owners.

The city has taken disciplinary action against the employees determined to be responsible for the mistake. Guelph officials said this is the first fine the city has had to pay for non-compliance with the Ontario Building Code.