A new licensing program and possible fines may be on the way to ensure Winnipeg infill home construction doesn’t make a mess or pose a safety hazard.

The city’s public service will start consultations on a possible licensing program for contractors who demolish residential or commercial buildings, if council approves a new proposal.

The potential changes would also require building permits for single-family and two-family infill construction to have official Manitoba land surveyors inspect the site once a foundation is in place to ensure the build complies with approved plans before further development occurs.

“Residential infill is occurring with increasing frequency… As demolition and construction take place, it can cause disruption to neighbouring properties if not carried out in a manner that is professional and in compliance with applicable regulations and bylaws,” a public service report notes.

The City of Winnipeg is also developing a new list of fines for building permit offences that council is expected to consider this spring.

The proposed fine for failing to keep a construction or demolition site safe would be $500, which could be issued each day an offence occurs, the report notes.

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