GROW-OP REPAIR RULES TIGHTER

The rules are about to get a lot more stringent for people repairing
their homes after a marijuana grow-op has been found.

The city is strengthening its Controlled Substance Property Bylaw,
placing more restrictions on how the homes are repaired.

Often, houses with grow operations have unsafe wiring and suffer
extensive moisture damage.

Currently, when a home is identified as a former marijuana grow
operation, a consultant is hired to decide if the building is safe.
If not, the city takes away occupancy permits until it is made safe.

However, environmental consultants don't have to be certified. In
addition, the consultant only comes in at the beginning of the
process and at the very end to sign off on the repairs.

It's difficult to know if repairs have been properly done when all
the walls are up and the work is concealed.

Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis said many environmental consultants were
reticent to sign off on the work, fearing liability if it wasn't properly done.

"The environmental consultants were ever increasingly concerned about
their responsibility of signing off at the end of this," Garis said.

That's about to change.

By next month, certified contractors will have to visit frequently to
ensure the new work is being performed safely and to code before the
project gets approved.

"We're adding some rigour to the entire process," Garis said.

A draft bylaw will be taken to stakeholders, and then be brought back
to council for approval.

The new bylaw should come into effect by the end of October.