Permit backlog leaves Whitehorse builders worrying about layoffs, decline in business

Local builders in Whitehorse say it's taking too long to get permits from the city, and if the backlog isn't resolved soon it could seriously impact the number of houses built in the Yukon's capital this year.

"We're nearing on everyone getting worried for winter and getting prepared for the fall and still the majority of people don't have permits and we're at a huge backlog," said Jake Schneider, the owner-operator of Kodiak Construction. 

In late April, a group of four builders met with city officials to discuss concerns related to the backlog. The meeting included the city's chief building inspector and manager of the building department, said John Vogt, owner-operator of Vogt Homes. 

Since then, Schneider says the issue has only gotten worse.

Builders say that the backlog became an issue this spring, after the city put in place new requirements for building permit applications.

According to Schneider, the requirements included listing all of the exact appliances going into the home prior to it being built, and asking home builders to complete a heat loss calculation before the house is constructed.

He added that when the city began asking for the metric, few contractors in Whitehorse knew how to do the calculation. 

"It's also causing backlogs because now it's just a whole pile more stuff that the building inspectors have to check," Vogt said.

Mike Gau, Whitehorse's director of development services, said the requirements for building plans are in line with the national building code.

"The city can't change the national building code," Gau said. "The national building code ensures public safety and it protects future and current property owners."

Gau added that the city has been discussing some flexibility with builders on timelines for some of the newer requirements.

Vogt says that currently the city is approving, on average, one permit per day. 

Gau estimates that the current wait time is eight weeks, which he admits is a few weeks slower than what the timing would be in a peak season.

He said that a "perfect storm" of events caused year's backlog, including losing two staff members within the city's Land and Building Services building inspections team. The office is currently down to three staff members and has begun sourcing external support to conduct plan reviews.