Huntsville Council approves a new building inspection shared service agreement

The agreement shares services with Lake of Bays, Perry and Armour Twps.

Huntsville Council approved a new building inspection shared service agreement, in the February 25, 2026, meeting.

According to the staff report, the new agreement formalizes continued collaboration with the Township of Lake of Bays, the Township of Perry, and Armour Township.

The approval authorizes the Town to enter into an amended Shared Servicing Agreement for Chief Building Officials and Building Inspectors, replacing two previous agreements with a single, harmonized framework.

Chief Building Official, Christopher Nagy, indicated that himself, his deputy, and one inspector will cover the other Townships as needed.

The updated agreement also repeals an earlier by-law and authorizes the mayor and clerk to execute reciprocal building shared services agreements with the participating municipalities.

Staff also reported that Huntsville has participated in shared building inspection services since 2004 under provisions of the Municipal Act and the Building Code.

In 2024, Armour Township was added to the arrangement.

The program allows participating municipalities to provide consistent building inspection services during periods of staffing shortages, increased workloads, or unforeseen absences, ensuring continuity of service for residents and the construction industry.

Staff explained that the amended agreement is intended to improve coordination and consistency across municipalities while maintaining compliance with the Building Code Act.

They add that while inspectors may be shared among communities, their powers can only be exercised at the request of the municipality where the work is taking place, preserving local authority and oversight.

The agreement also updates the hourly rate charged for municipal staffing, reflecting current operational costs. Aside from this adjustment and the inclusion of Armour Township, the remainder of the agreement aligns with existing legislative requirements, including the formal appointment of Chief Building Officials and inspectors by each municipality.

In a section outlining the benefits of shared servicing, staff noted that the agreement enhances Building Code enforcement across the region and supports industry professionals by ensuring qualified inspectors are available for design review, site inspections, and code compliance. This is particularly beneficial for smaller municipalities that may not always have the specialized qualifications required to review complex building projects.

By consolidating agreements and standardizing processes, the shared services model is intended to improve efficiency, maintain service levels, and provide flexibility as development activity fluctuates across the region.

Council's approval allows the updated agreement to move forward for final implementation.

Mayor, Nancy Alcock, expressed support for the process. She said, “I think sharing services with our neighbouring municipalities always makes se