QU: Is cob building allowed by zoning regulations in Canada?

Below are the comments from Steven Lay, Cob expert, who had trouble posting toour website (we are tryign to fix these technical difficulties - please let us know if you have trouble).

Hi Jessica,

I'm having difficulties with my new account - password doesn't seem to work - so I'll send you what I would have otherwise posted. 

Although I am no expert in building code, my answer to the question is, no, it is not illegal per say to build out of cob, as it falls under the alternative building materials section of building codes (which vary from municipality to municipality).  As a result, you would probably need to go beyond the average building code permit process.  In fact, there are permitted cob structures in BC, in particular, in the Gulf Islands.  Several buildings on Mayne Island in particular predate the Eco-village structure.  Three factors would greatly facilitate the permitting process - architect's stamp, engineer's stamp, or open-minded building inspector and code department (and requirements of particular building code).  Undoubtedly, a close-minded building inspection department is a major hindrance.  Nonetheless, my experience on many different projects on Mayne island, with the Stanley Park/ UBC seismic project, the Grandview shed project, and general research, leads me to be optimistic that eventually cob will become part of the accepted building materials list. 

During the apprenticeship I completed on Mayne Island in 2002, we met with the building inspector for the Gulf Islands who had approved the permit, while we were building a 600 sqft. cob structure.  I don't believe there was an engineer or architect's stamp.  It probably didn't hurt that the inspector had spent his early years in a centuries old cob structure in the UK (I think only part of the building was cob, some was brick, wood, etc., if I recall).  So, that would be a best-case scenario.  Existing permitted buildings have set precedents that will hopefully lead to wider understanding and acceptance.  Regardless, I have heard of people not being able to get their plans permitted in BC, though I am uncertain as to the exact reasons. 

As for Ian Marcuse's former building, it doesn't really circumvent regulations, as you are free to use whatever building material you like if the building's footprint is less than 100 sqft..  Likewise, the Stanley Park project and Grandview shed project fell under the 100 sqft. exemption.  The cob popcorn stand was built under the directives of the Vancouver Parks Board, the Stanley Park Ecology Society, the City of Vancouver and UBC's engineering department.  This required communication and agreement between all stakeholders reflected a commitment to the project without which it would have otherwise been impossible.  Personally, I found it heartening to work with the code development people from the city, the various parks board people, and the engineering professorial staff at UBC.  All were excited by the project, open-minded and had belief in the building medium.  There never was any question to the success of the project as a structure, despite the unconventional building materials and method.  Likewise, they never expressed anything but confidence in the seismic aspect of the project.  So, I think one of the keys to a successful permit application is involving the building permit department from day one, and being prepared to lead them through an education process.  Another key would be willingness and competency to deal with red tape, and strong communication through that process.  Certainly, at this point, cob building and permitting proceeds in a case-by-case manner, which necessitates strong communication and commitment to the process among the various individuals involved.  I'm not sure why there were so many complications with the Grandview shed project.  Apparently the issue was at the school board, which had apparently approved the project initially, but failed to affirm their commitment by refusing to sign off on insurance issues.  It all sounded a bit nebulous to me.  

So, I am confident that cob building will become incrementally and increasingly possible and popular in Vancouver and BC.  Even if cob is initially non-load bearing (requiring some sort of support for the roof), I believe structural load-bearing cob will be possible. 

This is only my opinion, and there are so many factors, but there you have it.
 
 
 steve

Below is a picture from our shared photo file which anyone is free to join. It is titled: "tossing cob between rafters."