Welcome to M.S.T.W. Planning District
The M.S.T.W. Planning District was established in 1979 by Order in Council #1018-77. The district was formed by the agreement between four municipalities: the Town of Morden, R.M. of Stanley, R.M. of Thompson and City of Winkler to share the services of a Building Inspector. We have issued over 14,500 Building Permits from the time of our inception until December of 2010.
As of January 1, 2006, we began issuing plumbing permits for the municipalities in our district. We have the authority to issue building permits under Part 3 and Part 9 of the National Building Code for the planning district area. We have been contracted by the R.M. of Pembina the Town of Manitou to issue Part 9 building permits and provide building inspection services.
The MSTW Planning District is governed by a Board consisting of two representatives from each of the member municipalities’ councils. Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Announcements
Did you know?
Radon is a radioactive gas found naturally in the environment. It is produced by the decay of uranium found in soil, rock or water. Radon is invisible, odourless and tasteless and emits ionizing radiation. As a gas, radon can move freely through the soil enabling it to escape to the atmosphere or seep into buildings. When radon escapes from the bedrock into the outdoor air, it is diluted to such low concentrations that it poses a negligible threat to health. However, if a building is built over bedrock or soil that contains uranium, radon gas can be released into the building through cracks in foundation walls and floors, or gaps around pipes and cables.
Remedial measures should be undertaken in a dwelling whenever the average annual radon concentration exceeds 200 Bq/m³ in the normal occupancy area. The construction of new dwellings should employ techniques that will minimize radon entry and will facilitate post-construction radon removal, should this subsequently prove necessary. As per the National Building Code, subfloor depressurization is now required.
There are several different radon home test kits available commercially.
Get more information on radon
Visit Health Canada’s web pages on radon
Contact your regional office of the CMHC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation) - check this list of CMHC offices and call the one closest to you.
Read this booklet: Radon - A guide for Canadian Homeowners. This is a 25-page booklet from the CMHC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation). It’s available free online.
Smoke Alarm Requirements
Please note that effective April 1, 2011, a smoke alarm is required on every floor of a dwelling unit, and an additional smoke alarm is required in every sleeping room. All smoke alarms must be "hardwired", not battery operated. Reference National Building Code Section 9.10.19.3.1(a,b).
Major Technical Changes to the 2010 NBC, NFC and NPC
The Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes is pleased to introduce FREE online presentations on the 2010 National Model Construction Codes. These complimentary online presentations provide detailed overviews of major technical changes in the 2010 editions of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC), National Fire of Canada (NFC) and National Plumbing Code of Canada (NPC). Each presentation is approximately 30 minutes in length and is available in the "Links" section
