Public review of codes

The provincially led national Joint Task Group — Harmonized Variations for Mass Timber (JTG-HVMT) invited comments on proposed code changes related to encapsulated mass timber construction (EMTC). The proposed code changes build on the 2020 National Model Code provisions for EMTC and would expand the use of mass timber to more building occupancies, enable taller buildings, and vary encapsulation requirements.

A final report will be prepared by the JTG-HVMT and submitted to the Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes for consideration for incorporation into future editions of the National Model Codes. The report and proposed code content will also be made available to any jurisdictions wanting to pursue the expansion of permissions for mass timber construction in a harmonized and coordinated way ahead of any updates to the National Model Codes.

Changes unique to the BC Codes and updates to align with National Model Codes 2020 were proposed. This public review sought feedback on accessibility and adaptable dwellings, cooling requirements, mass timber construction, earthquake design, radon safety and ventilation in homes.

Members of the public, including code users, Treaty Nations, Indigenous partners, local governments, building owners, construction industry professionals and others were invited to review proposed changes.

This public review was intended to collect technical comments on proposed changes across various topics. All relevant input was considered and used to help inform the proposed changes before they consideration by the Minister.

Proposed BC Building Code changes:

BC Building code notification

The BC Codes 2023 will adopt content to better align the BC Codes with the National Model Codes. B.C. also plans to keep some current B.C. specific content. The following are for information only.

Harmonized changes

To learn about changes that support greater consistency between the BC Codes and National Model Codes, please review:

• General code changes and updates (PDF, 157.7KB)
• Mass timber (PDF, 60.6KB)
• Self-storage (PDF, 194KB)

Unique to B.C. matters

To learn about why some national changes are not recommended for adoption in the BC Building Code, please review:

• Farm buildings (PDF, 53.7KB)
• Un-sprinklered home-type care facilities (PDF, 54KB)

BC Plumbing and Fire Code notification

• Updates to the planned adoption of the Fire Code (PDF, 108KB)
• Updates to the planned adoption of the Plumbing Code (PDF, 82.8KB)

Education

Once the BC Codes 2023 are finalized, industry partners, in collaboration with the Building and Safety Standards Branch, plan to provide educational materials. These materials will help support code users in understanding and implementing the new BC Codes.  

Changes to the BC Building Code were proposed to support cleaner, more energy efficient new construction in British Columbia.

Members of the public, including code users, Treaty Nations, Indigenous partners, local governments, building owners, construction industry professionals and others were invited to review proposed changes to the BC Building Code.

This public review was intended to collect focused, technical comments on proposed changes, such as revisions to targets and values and comments about scope or application.  All relevant input will be considered and used to help inform the proposed changes before they are considered by the Minister.

These proposals have been superseded by the final language, now available on the Energy Step Code website.

Read the previous proposals:

• Draft Building Code language (Proposed Change Forms):
  • Energy Efficiency for Part 9 Buildings (PDF, 781.2KB)
  • Energy Step Code for Part 9 and Part 10 (PDF, 488.2KB)
  • Introduction to Greenhouse Gas Emissions (PDF, 178.5KB)
• Watch introductory presentations on YouTube
• Listen to introductory presentations (five zipped MP3 files, 90MB)
• Read introductory presentations (five zipped PDFs, 2.2MB)
• Read the 2022 update to the Metrics Research Report (PDF, 24.3MB)
• Read financial analysis and technical analysis:
  • Analysis of Part 3 buildings (PDF, 1.2MB)
  • Analysis of Part 9 buildings (PDF, 1.7MB)
  • Read the Best Practices Bulletin (PDF, 245.5KB)

Industry-specific training or information may be available from your organization.

The public, including people with disabilities, accessibility experts and advocates, code users, Treaty Nations, Indigenous partners, local governments, building owners, construction industry representatives, professional associations and education partners were invited to provide feedback about barriers and priorities to enhance accessibility requirements in new buildings.

Input received will help inform changes to the next BC Building Code. A summary report of what we heard will be published to the Building and Safety Standards website later in 2022.

To learn more about BC Building Code accessibility requirements, please read:

• Information Backgrounder (PDF, 57.6KB)
• News release (external link)
• Building Accessibility Handbook (PDF, 9.9MB)
• BC Building Code (external link)

Later in 2023, we will launch phase two of our engagement to seek feedback on proposed BC Building Code accessibility changes.

The Building and Safety Standards Branch invited code users, industry, and partners to participate in a public review to provide feedback on proposed changes to the BC Code.

• Design and Construction of Secondary Suites (PDF, 1.5MB)
• BC Energy Step Code for Large Buildings in Cold Climates and Public Sector Buildings (PDF, 351.2KB)
• Visit https://energystepcode.ca/requirements/ for information about the final BCBC 2018 Revision 2 changes for these buildings
• Lighting of Recycling and Garbage Rooms (PDF, 208.5KB)
• New Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Alarms (PDF, 224.9KB)
• New Roof-top Enclosures and Roof-top Occupancy (PDF, 203.6KB)

The Building and Safety Standards Branch also considered possible amendments to the BC Energy Step Code targets for houses and small residential buildings, with a focus on climate zones 5 and 6 (including Kelowna, Kamloops, and Prince George). These possible changes were still in development and did not form part of this public review.

Visit the BC Energy Step Code (external link) for information about the final BCBC 2018 Revision 2 changes for houses and small residential buildings

In addition to the above noted changes,  mid-cycle changes included national revisions as well as some editorial corrections. For information about revisions to the National Code, please visit Codes Canada’s website (external link).

The Building and Safety Standards Branch conducted a public review to seek feedback on the following proposed changes for the next edition of the BC Codes. Code users and stakeholders will be notified when the code is adopted and the effective date has been confirmed.

The 2012 BC Building Code introduced new requirements for manufactured and pre-assembled fenestration products - meaning doors, windows and skylights. In consultation with the fenestration industry and local governments, the Province proposed changes due to some key implementation issues. The consultation asked for feedback on the proposed changes.

The Doors, Windows and Skylights Presentation (PDF, 572.8KB) provides an overview of the North American Fenestration Standards. A second Presentation (PDF, 338.1KB) on the BC Code changes is also available.

Refer to BC Building Code Revision 8 and BC Building Code Revision 9 for summaries of the changes.