Pier 4 beach closed due to toxic blue-green algae

Toxic blue-green algae has been confirmed at Pier 4 Beach in Hamilton Harbour.  Do not come into contact with the water. City of Hamilton conducting clean up along parts of the Hamilton Harbour shoreline.

 
Trust and Confidence Report

Building Inspections Profile

The Building Inspections service is responsible for all new construction and responds to complaints regarding illegal construction. This service ensures that:

  • Newly constructed, enlarged, renovated and re-purposed buildings are Ontario Building Code compliant and are safe for the public and occupants.
  • Swimming pool enclosures are constructed in compliance with the relevant by-law to restrict entry to privately owned pools and to ensure the safety of the public.
  • Buildings formerly used as marijuana grow-ops are rehabilitated to be safe for re-occupancy.
  • Buildings are not excessively fortified, as per the relevant by-law.
  • All new construction complies with the zoning by-law.
  • The Loans Program is delivered to Hamiltonians so that citizens who need assistance (loans/grant moneys) to upgrade their homes are provided with the aid they require.
  • Finished grades comply with submitted grading plans for infill lot developments.
  • The work associated with developments regulated by development agreements is congruent with the approvals granted.
  • Houses are demolished within the timelines outlined in demolition agreements.
  • Houses are protected from water/sewer backup.
  • Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional buildings are protected from cross-connection in keeping with relevant by-laws.
  • Complaints and inquiries regarding unsafe buildings are dealt with in timely fashion.
  • Staff proactively attends properties to ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code.

Service Details

Related Subservices

  • Building Code Inspections and Enforcement
  • Enforcement of various relevant City of Hamilton by-laws (pool enclosures, fortification, zoning, grow-op, trade license, etc.)

Type of Service

  • Public facing

Rationale

  • Essential/Mandatory, Legislated requirement (Ontario Building Code Enforcement)
  • Core Municipal Service (Municipal By-law Enforcement)

Primary Funding Sources

  • Net Levy
  • User Fees

Service Level

  • Exceeds Standard
  • Inspections are provided on the same day, better than legislated time-lines prescribed in the Ontario Building Code.
  • Emergency call-out inspectors are available after hours for any possible unsafe conditions reported by the general public or emergency personnel.

Service Level Source

  • Legislated
  • Council By-law
  • Council approved policy or service standard

 

Performance Measures

2020

How much did you do? (volume)

Inspections completed annually (rounded)

  • Ontario Building Code:  72,496
  • Pool enclosures:  552
  • Fortification by-law:  146
  • Loans program: 750
  • Grow-op:  0
  • Trade Licence:  988
  • Infill lot grading:  75
  • Imposed building code fines :  $46,800
  • Collected building code fines :  $141,346
  • Enforcement initiated:  1,053
  • Action requests initiated: 1,954

Inspections completed annually (rounded)

  • Ontario Building Code:  74,320
  • Pool enclosures:  352
  • Fortification by-law:  246
  • Loans program: 936
  • Grow-op: 0
  • Trade Licence:  195
  • Infill lot grading:  100
  • Imposed building code fines :  $ 360,276
  • Collected building code fines :  $ 211,625
  • Enforcement initiated:  1,051
  • Action requests initiated: 1,933

Inspections completed annually (rounded)

  • Ontario Building Code: 71,539
  • Pool enclosures : 338
  • Fortification by-law : 228
  • Loans program : 936
  • Grow-op : 0
  • Trade Licence:  195
  • Infill lot grading : 100 
  • Imposed building code fines :  $ 499,900
  • collected building code fines :  $ 136,878
  • Enforcement initiated : 961
  • Action requests initiated : 1,894

Inspections completed annually (rounded)

  • Ontario Building Code:  74,005
  • Pool enclosures:  355
  • Fortification by-law:  258
  • Loans program: 500
  • Grow-op:  0
  • Trade Licence:  124
  • Infill lot grading:  100
  • Imposed / collected building code fines: $344,875.00 / $201,106.25
  • Enforcement initiated:  919
  • Action requests initiated: 1,952

Inspections completed annually (rounded)

  • Ontario Building Code:  89,000
  • Pool enclosures:  1,500
  • Fortification by-law:  100
  • Loans program: 500
  • Grow-op:  12
  • Trade Licence:  4,000
  • Infill lot grading:  100