BC Codes

The BC Building Code applies to all buildings in B.C. except for

• The City of Vancouver (Vancouver Building Bylaw external link)
• Treaty First Nations that do not reference the Building Code in their agreements
• Federal Lands (National Building Code)

The most recent BC Building Code applies to buildings

• That are constructed (new buildings)
• That are altered or renovated
• Where the use or occupancy changes
• Where components or parts of a building are replaced

If there has not been any changes to an existing building, it should meet the requirements of the BC Building Code that was in place when the building was constructed.  

For example, if a building was constructed when the BC Building Code 2012 was in effect, it doesn't need to be upgraded to meet the requirements of the BC Building Code 2018.

The current BC Building Code does apply if an existing building

• Is altered or renovated
• Has a change to its use or occupancy
• Has components replaced

Temporary buildings might not need to meet the BC Building Requirements. Contact your local government for temporary building requirements (external link).

You can learn more about many code provisions on our website:

• Review the code questions page for summaries of key topic areas
• Review the technical bulletins
• Review past code interpretations
• Ask a code question if you can't find your answer on our website

Learn more about the BC Codes 2018 on our webpage.

The next edition of the BC Codes will be based on the National Construction Codes 2020, which were released on March 28, 2022. The Construction Codes Reconciliation Agreement commits bringing these codes into effect within 24 months from release. The Province aims to adopt the next edition of the BC Codes by mid-2023, and to bring them into effect in December 2023, subject to Ministerial approval.

Codes in B.C. are based on the National Codes of Canada (external link) from Codes Canada, but some changes are made to address specific needs for B.C.

The model National Codes are developed through a consensus-based committee process with representation from all provinces and territories, related industries and the public. B.C. participates in the national code development system.

Local governments have authority to enforce the BC Codes. Check with your local government's building department for info about code enforcement or building permits.

Look up local government contact information (external link)

Each code is organized into three sections

• Division A:
  • Outlines the main objectives and functional statements for technical building requirements
  • Explains why a requirement must be met and how to evaluate other ways to meet the acceptable requirements through alternative solutions
• Division B:
  • Outlines Code provisions or acceptable solutions and notes the specific objectives and functional statements used to explain the purpose of each provision
• Division C:
  • Outlines administrative requirements under the code such as providing guidance for alternative solutions to the code

For information on how to participate in the development of codes or to submit a code change request, please visit the National Research Council of Canada (external link).

Our website has links to summaries from recent Codes Canada Public Reviews.

B.C.-specific code changes are open to public review before they are finalized. Information about current or recent B.C.reviews are found on our Public Review page.