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CONSOLIDATED NEWFOUNDLAND

AND LABRADOR

REGULATION 1021/96

Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations

under the

Urban and Rural Planning Act

(O.C. 96-201)

Amended by:

29/98

62/01

2/04

36/04

78/04

48/05

110/07

2008 c47 s13

107/09

24/10

76/10

97/11

66/15

67/18

73/19

66/21

109/23

44/24

CONSOLIDATED NEWFOUNDLAND

AND

LABRADOR

REGULATION 1021/96

Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations

under the

Urban and Rural Planning Act

(O.C. 96-201)

Under the authority of

section 63 of the Urban and Rural Planning Act

and the Subordinate Legislation Revision and Consolidation Act

, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council makes the following regulations.

REGULATIONS

Analysis

Short title

Definitions

Application

Occupancy

Maintenance

Structural soundness

Property drainage

Fire prevention

Pest

control

Dampness

Basement habitable rooms

Exterior walls

Exits

Exterior doors

Porches and stairs

Roofs

Fireplaces

Floors

Interior walls and ceilings

Heating and weatherproofing

Plumbing

Electrical

Washroom facilities

Kitchen facilities

Washrooms

Lighting and ventilation of habitable rooms.

Sleeping rooms

Cooking prohibited in sleeping rooms

Overcrowding

Storage space

Enclosed space access

Walkways, driveways

Fences

On site storage

Debris prohibited

Landscaping

Rubbish disposal

Composting container

Manner of composting

Container location

Powers of enforcement authority

Failure to comply

Conflict

Penalty

Appeal

Repeal

Schedule

Short title

These regulations may be cited as the Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations.

CNR 1021/96 s1

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Definitions

In these regulations

(a)

"Act" means the Urban and Rural Planning Act ;

(b)

"building line" means a line established by the enforcement authority to set the horizontal distance between the closest point of a building and the street line;

(c)

"composting" means the storage and controlled biochemical decomposition of vegetables, fruit or garden waste;

(d)

"enforcement authority" means the authorized administrator or the municipal council having jurisdiction in the area designated by the minister; and

(e)

"minister" means the minister appointed under the Executive Council Act

to administer the Act.

CNR 1021/96 s2

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Application

These regulations shall apply to those municipalities or municipal planning areas listed in the Schedule.

CNR 1021/96 s3

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Occupancy

(1) A person shall not occupy for human habitation or otherwise, or be the owner of, permit to be occupied for human habitation or otherwise, a dwelling or structure which does not conform to the standards set out in these regulations.

(2) All new dwellings and structures, all existing vacant dwellings and structures and a dwelling or structure which becomes unoccupied and not maintained for a length of time, shall require an occupancy permit issued by the enforcement authority before the proposed occupancy occurs.

(3) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), temporary departures from existing properties for annual vacation, work related purposes, education, health reasons, temporary duty elsewhere, or business trips, shall not be considered as vacancies under these regulations.

CNR 1021/96 s4

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Maintenance

All properties in the areas listed in the

Schedule including land, buildings, structures, dwellings, fences, sheds, garages, parking lots, driveways, landscaping

and all appurtenances shall be maintained in a state of good condition and repair in accordance with the standards set out in these regulations and as otherwise ordered by the enforcement authority.

CNR 1021/96 s5

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Structural soundness

Structural components of all buildings and dwellings shall be

(

a) free from deterioration, loose jointing, sagging, bulging and excessive deflection; and

(

b) capable of sustaining safely the weight of the structure or dwelling and a load to which it may be normally subjected.

CNR 1021/96 s6

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Property drainage

All occupied land shall be provided with adequate surface water drainage over the whole area of the property to prevent ponding and to prevent run-off to adjacent properties with suitable arrangements for the disposal of surface water without eroding or flooding.

CNR 1021/96 s7

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Fire prevention

(1) All buildings and dwellings shall meet the requirements of those local, provincial

and national fire regulations that may be applicable.

(2) A building or dwelling shall not be permitted to be occupied if it is a potential fire hazard due to its location, construction, contents

or another reason and all those structures or dwellings shall be made to conform to the appropriate codes and standards as adopted by the enforcement authority before occupancy is permitted.

(3) An occupied structure that is considered a fire hazard may be ordered vacated by the enforcement authority until the applicable deficiencies have been corrected by the owner.

(4) Smoke alarms conforming to the standards set out in the National Building Code shall be installed in every dwelling unit and in accordance with the requirements of the National Building Code, in all other buildings

CNR 1021/96 s8

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Pest

control

(1) Every structure and dwelling shall be kept free of rodents, vermin and insects and appropriate extermination measures shall be taken when ordered by the enforcement authority.

(2) Extermination measures ordered under subsection (1) shall be at the owner's expense.

CNR 1021/96 s9

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Dampness

The basement, attic space, floors, ceilings, crawl space and cellar of every building and dwelling unit shall be kept free from dampness, moisture, condensation

and interior sweat so as to prevent rot and the development of mildew or other health hazard.

CNR 1021/96 s10

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Basement habitable rooms

A room in the basement of a building or dwelling shall not be used as a habitable room unless

(

a) the finished floor of that room is not more than an average depth of 1,143 millimetres below the finished grade of the property;

(

b) the room is ventilated;

(

c) all walls below grade are effectively damp-proof resulting in a dry interior condition; and

(

d) the interior of the basement wall is properly insulated and finished.

CNR 1021/96 s11

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Exterior walls

(1) Exterior walls and their components shall be adequate to support loads upon them and shall be maintained to prevent their deterioration from any cause.

(2) Exterior cladding or covering must be reasonably durable and be maintained in accordance with the standards set out in these regulations and as otherwise determined by the enforcement authority.

CNR 1021/96 s12

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Exits

(1) A single exit is permitted from the ground floor of a dwelling unit provided

(

a) the exit is to the exterior at or near ground level; and

(

b) it provides a safe, continuous

and unobstructed means of egress.

(2) Dwelling units which do not meet the requirements of subsection (1) shall have 2 exits.

(3) Buildings other than dwelling units shall comply with the building code with respect to exit provisions.

CNR 1021/96 s13

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Exterior doors

(1) Existing doors and frames shall be in sound condition, well fitted and operate satisfactorily.

(2) At least one entrance door in every unit shall be capable of being locked from both inside and outside.

(3) All exterior doors shall be weather-stripped or have an appropriate combination of storm and screen door suitable for all year use.

CNR 1021/96 s14

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Porches and stairs

All porches, balconies, landings, stairs

and handrails shall be well constructed and free from defects which may constitute a safety hazard.

CNR 1021/96 s15

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Roofs

(1) All roof construction components shall provide adequate support for all probable loads and form a suitable base for the roof covering.

(2) A roof including the fascia board, soffit, cornice

and flashing shall be maintained in a watertight condition so as to prevent leakage of water into the dwelling.

CNR 1021/96 s16

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Fireplaces

All fireplaces, fuel burning equipment and chimneys shall be maintained in a safe, efficient condition.

CNR 1021/96 s17

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Floors

(1) All floors shall be constructed and maintained so as to

adequately accept the applied loads without undue deflection and damage.

(2) Defective or excessively worn, deteriorated, cracked, or torn finishes shall not be permitted by the enforcement authority.

CNR 1021/96 s18

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Interior walls and ceilings

(1) Every wall and ceiling finish shall be maintained free from holes, loose or deteriorated coverings or other defects which may increase the spread of fire.

(2) Where fire resistant walls exist between separate dwelling units, they shall be maintained in a condition which retains their fire resistant

quality.

CNR 1021/96 s19

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Heating and weatherproofing

(1) All buildings and dwelling units shall be weatherproof and insulated so as to

be capable of being adequately heated with a reasonable consumption of fuel.

(2) Heating equipment in every building and dwelling shall be in good working order and in good repair, free from fuel leaks and other defects and shall be non-hazardous to the occupants, in the opinion of the enforcement authority.

(3) Fuel storage equipment,

supports and piping shall meet the requirements of the applicable regulations.

CNR 1021/96 s20

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Plumbing

(1) All plumbing, drain pipes

, water pipes, water closets, sinks and other plumbing fixtures in a building or dwelling shall be maintained in good order and repair in accordance with the requirements of the enforcement authority.

(2) Where necessary due to the nature of the construction of the unit, all water pipes subject to the possibility of freezing shall be insulated, heated

or otherwise protected.

(3) All plumbing fixtures shall have suitable traps installed and all plumbing systems shall be properly vented to the outdoors.

CNR 1021/96 s21

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Electrical

(1) The electrical service, distribution equipment, wiring, equipment

and appliances used in a building or dwelling unit shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the requirements of the Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro Corporation.

(2) Exposed, loose wiring, broken or damaged switches or outlet covers

or damaged fixtures shall not be permitted by the enforcement authority.

CNR 1021/96 s22

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Washroom facilities

(1) Every dwelling unit shall be provided with at least one kitchen sink, washbasin, water closet and bathtub or shower which

(

a) is in good working order;

(

b) is connected to a piped water supply; and

(

c) has an acceptable means of sewage disposal.

(2) Every dwelling unit shall have provisions for a constant supply of both hot and cold water.

(3) Hot water tanks shall be insulated and equipped with automatic temperature control.

(4) All plumbing fixtures shall operate properly and shall be free from leaks.

CNR 1021/96 s23

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Kitchen facilities

(1) Every dwelling unit shall contain a kitchen area equipped with a sink, served with hot and cold running water, storage facilities and a counter top

work area.

(2) Each kitchen or working area shall be provided with at least one operable window or skylight opening to the external air and having an area of not less than 10% of the net floor area of the room, or with a mechanical system of ventilation satisfactory to the enforcement authority.

CNR 1021/96 s24

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Washrooms

(1) All washrooms, including toilets and bathrooms, shall be

(

a) located within and shall be accessible from within the building; and

(

b) fully enclosed and in the case of a public building, have a lockable door to provide privacy.

(2) Every washroom, toilet and bathroom shall be provided with

(

a) at least one operable window or skylight opening to the external air and having an area of not less than 10% of the floor area of the room; or

(

b) a mechanical system of ventilation satisfactory to the enforcement authority.

CNR 1021/96 s25

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Lighting and ventilation of habitable rooms.

(1) Every habitable room in a dwelling unit shall contain one or more operable windows.

(2) Windows required under subsection (1) shall open directly to the outside air and the total area of window or windows in every habitable room shall not be less than 10% of the floor area of that room.

(3) All window sashes shall be glazed and provided with suitable hardware.

CNR 1021/96 s26

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Sleeping rooms

(1) A room shall not be used for sleeping purposes unless it has a floor area of at least 6 square metres.

(2) Where more than one individual at least 12 years of age uses a room for sleeping purposes, it shall have at least 12 cubic metres of air space and 5 square metres of floor space.

(3) Where an individual less than 12 years of age uses a room for sleeping purposes, it shall have at least 6 cubic metres of air space and 3 square metres of floor space.

CNR 1021/96 s27

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Cooking prohibited in sleeping rooms

Where more than 2 persons occupy a dwelling unit, food shall not be prepared in a room used for sleeping purposes.

CNR 1021/96 s28

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Overcrowding

The number of persons in a building or part of a building shall not exceed the numbers permitted under the Fire and Life Safety Code or another code or standard adopted by the enforcement authority.

CNR 1021/96 s29

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Storage space

Every dwelling unit shall have general storage and closet space as required by applicable housing regulations or as determined by the enforcement authority.

CNR 1021/96 s30

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Enclosed space access

(1) An access opening of at least 600 millimetres by 750 millimetres shall be provided when required to attics, crawl spaces and other enclosed spaces.

(2) Where mechanical equipment is enclosed, the access opening shall be sufficiently large to permit the removal and replacement of the equipment.

(3) Enclosed attic, roof and crawl spaces shall be vented to the exterior of the structure.

CNR 1021/96 s31

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Walkways, driveways

Steps, walks, driveways, parking spaces and similar areas of a yard shall be adequately lit and maintained to afford safe passage under normal use and weather conditions.

CNR 1021/96 s32

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Fences

(1) A fence shall not extend in front of the building line where it would reduce the visibility of vehicles entering or exiting a street or intersection.

(2) Fences, barriers and retaining walls shall be kept in good repair and free from accident hazards.

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to hedges, walls or ornamental fences not exceeding 750 millimetres in height.

CNR 1021/96 s33

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On site storage

(1) The storage of materials or equipment on the site of a building or dwelling unit shall be at the rear of the lot.

(2) All items shall be neatly arranged and shall not cause inconvenience or imposition to adjoining

properties.

(3) Storage space on corner lots shall be screened.

CNR 1021/96 s34

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Debris prohibited

Land shall be free from debris including a vehicle, trailer or object which is in a wrecked, discarded

or abandoned condition.

CNR 1021/96 s35

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Landscaping

(1) Land shall be protected by suitable ground cover which prevents erosion of the soil.

(2) Plants and vegetation shall be kept trimmed so as not to be unsightly to neighbouring property.

CNR 1021/96 s36

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Rubbish disposal

(1) All garbage, rubbish, waste

and other debris from residential properties shall be

(

a) promptly stored in regulation receptacles; and

(

b) made available for removal in accordance with the standards approved by the enforcement authority.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to composting.

CNR 1021/96 s37

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Composting container

All composting must be carried out in a suitably maintained container which

(

a) may be commercially or owner constructed;

(

b) must be rodent proof; and

(

c) must be properly vented.

CNR 1021/96 s38

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Manner of composting

All composting shall be carried out in a manner that neither attracts rodents, flies or animals nor causes an unpleasant odour and shall be maintained so as not to be a nuisance to neighbouring properties.

CNR 1021/96 s39

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Container location

Composting containers shall be located in

the rear yard no closer than one metre to a lot line.

CNR 1021/96 s40

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Powers of enforcement authority

(1) The enforcement authority may direct the owner of a dwelling unit or building which does not conform to the standard

(

a) to undertake work to make the dwelling unit or building conform to the standard;

(

b) to demolish all or part of a building or dwelling or structure or erection forming a part of the building or dwelling; or

(

c) to clean and paint as required to provide a satisfactory condition of appearance and cleanliness,

within the time that the enforcement authority may specify.

(2) Every owner shall carry out the directions of the enforcement authority referred to in subsection (1).

CNR 1021/96 s41

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Failure to comply

(1) If an owner does not comply with the directions of the enforcement authority, the enforcement authority may

(

a) order the necessary work to be done to make the dwelling or building conform to the standards and recover the cost from the owner; or

(

b) order the demolition of the building.

(2) The owner shall carry out the demolition referred to in paragraph (1)(

b) but if the owner does not comply with the order, the enforcement authority may carry out the demolition through its officers, agents, employees

or contractors and recover the cost of so doing as a civil debt from the owner.

CNR 1021/96 s42

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Conflict

Where a provision of this regulation conflicts with a provision of another Act or regulation in force in the planning area concerned, the provisions that established the higher standard to protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public

shall prevail.

CNR 1021/96 s43

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Penalty

A person who contravenes a provision of this regulation shall, upon conviction, be liable to the penalties imposed by

section 106 of the Urban and Rural Planning Act, 2000.

2008 c47 s13

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Appeal

(1) A person or corporation aggrieved by a decision made under these regulations may appeal to the appropriate appeal board within 30 days of the date of the decision appealed.

(2) The enforcement authority shall provide the aggrieved with a written statement of the exact procedures to be followed.

CNR 1021/96 s45

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Repeal

The following regulations are repealed:

(

a) Town of Arnold

's Cove Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1993, Newfoundland

Regulation 210/93;

(

b) Town of Avondale Occupancy

and Maintenance Regulations, 1988, Newfoundland

Regulation 46/88;

(

c) Community of Berry

Head Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1979, Newfoundland

Regulation 155/80;

(

d) Bishop's Falls Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1978, Newfoundland

Regulation 41/78;

(

e) Town of Bonavista Occupancy

and Maintenance Regulations, 1984, Newfoundland

Regulation 181/84;

(

f) Burin Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1983, Newfoundland

Regulation 201/83;

(

g) Town of Carbonear Occupancy

and Maintenance Regulations, 1984, Newfoundland

Regulation 66/84;

(

h) Town of Channel - Port aux Basques Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1986, Newfoundland Regulation 189/86;

(

i) Town of Conception

Bay South Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1985, Newfoundland

Regulation 202/85;

(

j) City of Corner Brook

Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1986, Newfoundland

Regulation 247/86;

(

k) Deer

Lake

Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1983, Newfoundland

Regulation 125/83;

(

l) Town of Dover

Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1985, Newfoundland

Regulation 116/85;

(

m) Gambo Occupancy and Maintenance regulations, 1982, Newfoundland

Regulation 247/82;

(

n) Gander

Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1979, Newfoundland

Regulation 163/79;

(

o) Town of Happy Valley - Goose

Bay

Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1977, Newfoundland

Regulation 1030/78;

(

p) Town of Harbour

Grace Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1984, Newfoundland

Regulation 272/84;

(

q) Town of Harbour Main

- Chapel's Cove - Lakeview Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1984, Newfoundland

Regulation 102/84;

(

r) Town of Holyrood Occupancy

and Maintenance Regulations, 1984, Newfoundland

Regulation 94/84;

(

s) Local Improvement District of Kippens Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1979, Newfoundland

Regulation 1/80;

(

t) Labrador

City

Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1982, Newfoundland

Regulation 245/82;

(

u) Town of Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1989, Newfoundland

Regulation 142/89;

(

v) City of Mount Pearl Occupancy

and Maintenance Regulations, 1994, Newfoundland

Regulation 45/94;

(

w) Town of Northern Arm Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1989, Newfoundland

Regulation 167/89;

(

x) Town of Paradise

Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1986, Newfoundland

Regulation 49/86;

(

y) Town of Pasadena

Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1978, Newfoundland

Regulation 1074/78;

(

z) Town of Pouch Cove Occupancy

and Maintenance Regulations, 1984, Newfoundland

Regulation 42/84;

(aa)

Town of St. George's

Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1988, Newfoundland

Regulation 250/88;

(bb)

Town of Stephenville Occupancy

and Maintenance Regulations, 1976, Newfoundland

Regulation 1116/78;

(cc)

Trepassey Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1985, being Newfoundland

Regulation 239/85; and

(dd)

Town of Wabush Occupancy and Maintenance Regulations, 1984, Newfoundland

Regulation 273/84.

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Schedule

Town of Arnold

's Cove

Town of Avondale

Town of Bay

Roberts

Town of Bishop

's Falls

Town of Bonavista

Town of Burin

Town of Carbonear

Town of Channel

- Port aux Basques

Town of Clarenville

Town of Conception

Bay South

City of Corner Brook

Town of Deer

Lake

Town of Dover

Town of Gambo

Town of Gander

Town of Glovertown

Town of Grand Bank

Town of Grand Falls

- Windsor

Town of Happy Valley - Goose

Bay

Town of Harbour

Grace

Town of Harbour

Main

- Chapel's Cove - Lakeview

Town of Holyrood

Town of Kippens

Town of Labrador

City

Town of Lewisporte

Town of Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove

Town of Marystown

City of Mount

Pearl

Town of Norman

's Cove - Long Cove

Town of North River

Town of Northern Arm

Town of Paradise

Town of Pasadena

Town of Peterview

Town of Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove

Town of Placentia

Community of Port au Port East

Town of

Portugal

Cove-St. Philips

Town of Pouch

Cove

Town of St. George's

Town of Stephenville

Town of Sunnyside

Town of Torbay

Town of Trepassey

Town of Upper Island Cove

Town of Victoria

Town of Wabush

Town of Witless Bay

CNR 1021/96 Sch ; 29/98 s1 ; 62/01 s1 ; 2/04 s1 ; 36/04 s1 ; 78/04 s1 ; 48/05 s1 ; 110/07 s1 ; 107/09 s1 ; 24/10 s1 ; 76/10 s1 ; 97/11 s1 ; 66/15 s1 ; 67/18 s1 ; 73/19 s1 ; 66/21 s1 ; 109/23 s1 ; 44/24 s1

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