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BC Building Code 2024

Publication date: March 10, 2025

The BC Building Code includes the BC Plumbing Code and together they regulate: 

  • New construction
  • Building alterations and repairs
  • Demolitions

BC Building Code 2024 (PDF, 16MB) 

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BC Building Code 2024

The BC Building Code 2024 (PDF, 16MB) came into effect March 8, 2024. It applies to all projects with building permits applied for after that date.

The 2018 BC Building Code’s requirements for earthquake design and adaptable dwelling units continued to be in effect for permits applied for until March 9, 2025.

In-stream projects, where certain criteria are met, are exempt from the 2024 BC Building Code’s adaptable dwelling unit and earthquake requirements.

The majority of this Code is based on the National Building Code of Canada 2020 with some B.C. specific changes to reflect B.C.’s:

  • Geography
  • Climate
  • Local government needs
  • Industry practices
  • Provincial priorities

BC Building Code 2024 includes:

  • Book I (General)
  • Book II (Plumbing Systems)

National Building Code changes in the BC Building Code 2024 include:

  • Accessibility for people with disabilities
  • Protections for the control of legionella and other harmful bacteria

B.C. specific changes effective March 2024:

  • More complete and specific language for constructing extended rough-ins for radon subfloor depressurization systems
  • Adopting cooling requirements to provide one living space that does not exceed 26 degrees Celsius

Buy a printed copy

Printed versions are available to buy from King's Printer.

The BC Plumbing Code adopts content from the National Plumbing Code. Digital and print copies of the National Plumbing Code are available from the National Research Council of Canada’s virtual store.

Adaptable dwellings and earthquake design effective dates

Read Ministerial Order (PDF, 189.7KB)

The effective date for in-stream projects is extended to March 8, 2027.

Projects for which building permits are applied for on or after March 10, 2025, are subject to the earthquake and adaptable dwelling unit requirements in the BC Building Code 2024.

BC Plumbing Code 2024

Together, the National Plumbing Code and the B.C. amendments create the BC Plumbing Code 2024, which is officially Book II (Plumbing Systems) of the BC Building Code.

BC Building Code acknowledgements and copyright

Copyright 2024 Province of British Columbia (portions)

Copyright 2020 National Research Council (portions)

All rights reserved. This Publication contains material that is copyrighted by both the National Research Council of Canada and the Province of British Columbia and reproduced herein under a license agreement.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the Province of British Columbia and Codes Canada, National Research Council.

Request permission to reproduce

B.C. portions

For more information, or to request permission to reproduce B.C. portions, please contact the Intellectual Property Program for B.C.

Mailing address: 

Intellectual Property Program
PO Box 9412 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC V8W 9V1

Website: www.cio.gov.bc.ca

Email: ipp@mail.qp.gov.bc.ca

Phone: 250-356-1339

National portions

For more information, or to request permission to reproduce national portions, please contact the National Research Council of Canada.

Mailing address:

Codes Canada
National Research Council of Canada
1200 Montreal Road
Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6

Email: Codes@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Disclaimer

There may be differences between the National Model Codes and BC Codes. It is the responsibility of the user to ensure compliance with specific requirements of the BC Codes, as they may vary or have additional provisions. Please consult the official BC Codes or relevant authorities.