Builders in the southeast are now tapping into a new service being offered by the Rural Municipality of Hanover.

Planning Manager Jeremy Neufeld explains the municipality hired Barry Plett as a building inspector. Neufeld says Plett, who was employed by the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC), and prior to that the City of Steinbach, does Part 3 building code enforcement within Hanover.

Neufeld explains Part 3 buildings are those classified as assembly occupancies, higher hazard occupancies and any structures that exceed 600 square metres in size. Churches, schools and care homes are all examples of buildings that fall under Part 3.

Neufeld says the municipality was looking for a way to provide a better service, not only for Hanover, but for the entire region.

"Common concerns that have been raised by builders over the years has been the capacity of the Office of the Fire Commissioner to be able to provide the level of service, the turnaround time for permits," says Neufeld.

He says the OFC has a large volume of work, which builders find frustrating. By bringing in somebody locally, Neufeld says they can improve the turnaround times and provide better communication with builders.

Neufeld says it is not only Hanover builders that are using Plett. The municipality has secured agreements with a number of neighbouring municipalities. He says the OFC is allowing Plett to provide inspections for code enforcement of Part 3 for Niverville and the RM of De Salaberry. Hanover has also signed agreements, but is awaiting OFC approval for the RM of Ritchot, RM of Tache, RM of Ste. Anne, RM of Emerson Franklin, RM of Stuartburn, RM of Piney and Village of St. Pierre. Plus, he says there are a few other municipalities they are waiting to hear back from.

"As far as capacity goes, (Plett) can handle it," he says. "When he worked for the Office of the Fire Commissioner I believe he covered over twenty-three different municipalities."

According to Neufeld, Hanover is charging the same price for these inspections as the OFC does. He notes the difference lies in the level of service, which includes the ability to have meetings on site with the inspector.

Meanwhile, Neufeld says the OFC is still responsible for inspections for farm buildings exceeding 600 square metres. However, he notes Hanover is lobbying the province for that to change.