The RMOW is considering implementing a Certified Professional Program for Part 3 Buildings. This program only applies to complex building types, not single-family homes.

The program is an alternative to the municipality issuing building permits and monitoring construction. Under the program, a Certified Professional, who is an architect or professional engineer, provides professional assurance for compliance with the Building Code and municipal regulations.

Benefits

• The Certified Professional does all the signoffs and inspections, so the RMOW has minimal involvement.
• The Certified Professional takes all liability and ensures that all RMOW bylaws and regulations are met, which removes the need for professional staff oversight and quality control in compliance.
• If the property owner chooses to use this program, it may expedite the building permit process for complex buildings or allow for staged permitting and staged construction.

Requirements

• An architect registered with the Architectural Institute of BC or professional engineer registered with Engineers and Geoscientists BC can qualify as a Certified Professional by completing a CP course and required upgrades.
• The Certified Professional Program is optional; if Whistler wants to use it, it needs to be included in the updated building and plumbing bylaw.

Limitations

• There are few Certified Professionals operating in the Sea to Sky Corridor. This could change over time.
• The RMOW would still require documentation and records and may choose to do site monitoring.
• This does not apply to Part 9 (simple) buildings like single family homes or duplexes, which account for most of the building permits and inspections in Whistler.

Read more detailed information on the Architectural Institute of BC’s website.

Background on the Certified Professional Program

A Certified Professional (CP) Program helps with issuing building permits for new or existing complex building types by allowing certified professionals to take on the full review and inspection role on behalf of the municipality.

The CP Program is recognized as an alternative program to conventional plan review, field review, and occupancy permit processes of a building permit.

Municipalities that have a CP Program may issue a building permit, which is certified by a recognized registered professional architect or engineer. CPs don’t replace registered professionals involved in a construction project; instead, they provide an additional level of building bylaw review typically done by staff.

A CP Program is administered jointly by the Architects Institute of BC (AIBC) and Engineering and Geoscientists of BC (EGBC). To become a CP, registered architects and professional engineers must successfully complete the certified professional course and pass its examination as administered by AIBC and EGBC.