What North Battleford’s new boarded-up building rules mean for property owners and neighbourhoods

North Battleford Fire Chief Lindsay Holm told council that fires inside boarded-up buildings can be difficult to detect until they have already grown significantly.

“What we’re finding is that if they are boarded up with OSB [an engineered wood panel] and they do catch on fire, that fire actually isn’t visible to the public until it actually comes up through either the door or the roof,” Holm said.

Under the amended bylaw, buildings that remain boarded up for more than three months will be deemed to be in disrepair. Owners will be required to replace boarded windows with glass or plexiglass and replace boarded doorways with proper exterior doors.

The bylaw does not specify a thickness for replacement plexiglass, but Holm said the city would expect something more durable than thin sheets commonly used for temporary applications.

Buildings that remain boarded up beyond three months may also be subject to an order requiring repairs. If a building remains boarded up for more than six months, the city will have authority to issue stronger orders, including potential demolition orders.

As for the expense, if the Fire Chief carries out work because an owner fails to comply with an order, the costs are invoiced to the owner and may ultimately be added to the property’s tax bill if left unpaid.

Holm said the goal is not to tear down buildings, but to encourage owners to either repair them or bring them back into use.

He said the city intends to work with owners before escalating enforcement. He told council that repairs often require time to order materials and complete construction work, and said the city plans to establish timelines with owners rather than immediately pursue demolition.

“Where a demolition order will come into play is when they’re not doing anything with that building, and they haven’t engaged with any final plan,” Holm said.

The bylaw amendments also adopt the 2020 National Fire Code, bringing the city’s regulations in line with provincial standards. Other changes clarify the fire department’s authority during emergencies, including highway closures and emergency response agreements.

For residents living near vacant buildings, the changes could also help address concerns about break-ins and unauthorized entry.

City Manager Randy Patrick noted that a separate property standards bylaw update expected later this summer is intended to address neglected and problematic buildings from a property maintenance perspective.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com

by Kenneth Cheung

What North Battleford’s new boarded-up building rules mean for property owners and neighbourhoods

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