A Steinbach homeowner will have to remove his sunroom after a decision Tuesday night by city council. A resident at 66 Edgewood Street applied to the city for a variance for a smaller backyard than is required after he built a sunroom last year, a project that was done without a building permit.

Councillor Michael Zwaagstra moved that council deny the variance.

"This individual chose not to get a building permit and went ahead with construction and then ignored a stop work order telling them to stop construction and then construction continued. So now we are faced with that existing addition. We chose to deny the variance which means that the addition needs to come down. The message here is clear: We welcome construction in Steinbach, we're always happy to see people improving their homes and expanding their homes but it needs to be done following proper processes. And a key part of that process is getting a building permit before construction begins."

Councillor Jac Siemens seconded the motion.

"It put council in a very awkward position to make a decision after the fact. That's very tough to do. We have objections from the neighbourhood, including the developer on this issue. Council was left with no choice but to deny the variance application."

Chief Administrative Officer Troy Warkentin told council the city's building inspector will now be instructed to have the homeowner take down the sunroom.

"With the addition not being approved, the builder will have no option but to remove the structure."