Letters of Assurance

Letters of Assurance are standardized, legal accountability documents that are required for Part 3 and some Part 9 buildings in the BC Building Code and Vancouver Building By-law. They are intended to clearly identify the roles and responsibilities of registered professionals in a construction project.

The Guide to the Letters of Assurance in the BC Building Code 2018 and Vancouver Building By-law 2019 (PDF) is an important reference to consult. The guide provides an overview of

  • The scope and intent of the Letters of Assurance
  • The roles and responsibilities of individuals involved
  • When and how the Letters of Assurance should be completed

You can also obtain copies of all the current and historical Letters of Assurance schedules and guides

Learn about the BC Building Code 2018 schedules

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Schedule A Confirmation of Commitment by Owner and Coordinating Registered Professional

When applying for a building permit

Schedule A must be submitted to the local government (authority having jurisdiction) prior to being issued a building permit. 

This Schedule confirms that the owner has retained a coordinating registered professional (i.e., registered or licensed architect, or licensed professional engineer) who will

  • Determine the various disciplines for which registered professionals are required on the project (e.g., structural engineer, electrical engineer, architect)
  • Coordinate design work work and field reviews of the registered professionals to determine that the design will substantially comply with the BC Building Code and other applicable enactments respecting safety

Obtain a copy of Schedule A (PDF, external link)

 

Schedule B Assurance of Professional Design and Commitment for Field Review

Before beginning construction work on each building component

A signed and sealed Schedule B must be submitted to the local government (authority having jurisdiction) by each registered professional of record before beginning construction activities on the components for which they are responsible.

Schedule B provides assurance that

  • The components for which the registered professional is responsible, substantially comply with the BC Building Code 
  • Field reviews will be conducted by a registered professional during construction

Obtain a copy of Schedule B (PDF, external link)

 

Schedule C-A Assurance of Coordination of Professional Field Review

After completion but before occupancy permit or final inspection

Schedule C-A is submitted by the coordinating registered professional to the local government (authority having jurisdiction) and provides assurance that 

  • The professional obligations for coordination of field reviews are fulfilled
  • The completed construction is in substantial compliance with the building permit plans
  • Coordination of the functional testing of the fire protection and life safety systems is completed

Obtain a copy of Schedule C-A (PDF, external link)

 

Schedule C-B Assurance of Professional Field Review and Compliance

After completion but before occupancy permit or final inspection

A separate Schedule C-B must be completed by the registered professional for each Schedule B, and submitted to the local government (authority having jurisdiction). The Schedule C-B provides assurance that 

  • The professional obligations for field reviews are fulfilled for components under each Schedule B discipline
  • The components are in substantial compliance with the BC Building Code and safety enactments (except construction safety)

Obtain a copy of Schedule C-B (PDF, external link)

 

Page last updated: February 11, 2021.