B.C. Public Review
New energy efficiency requirements and an opt-in Zero Carbon Step Code took effect May 1, 2023. Learn More.
Page updated: June 20, 2023
B.C.-specific code changes are typically open to public review before they are finalized. Minor changes or editorial corrections are not publicly reviewed. Changes adopted from National Codes are open to public review through the National Codes public review process.
Current reviews
No open public reviews.
Past reviews
BC Codes 2023 - Review of proposed changes
May 19, 2023 to June 18, 2023 (Review now closed)
Changes to unique to the BC Codes and updates to align with National Model Codes 2020 are 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 will be considered and used to help inform the proposed changes before they are considered by the Minister.
Proposed BC Building Code changes
We are seeking your feedback on these proposed code changes.
- Accessibility (PDF 1.2 MB)
- Accessibility Notes (PDF 1.3 MB)
- Accessibility plain language summary English (PDF)
- Simplified Chinese (简体中文) (PDF)
- Traditional Chinese (繁體中文) (PDF)
- French (Français) (PDF)
- Punjabi (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ) (PDF)
Translated accessibility proposals are provided to align with earlier public engagement materials
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:
Unique to B.C. matters
To learn about why some national changes are not recommended for adoption in the BC Building Code, please review:
BC Plumbing and Fire Code notification
- Updates to the planned adoption of the Fire Code (PDF)
- Updates to the planned adoption of the Plumbing Code (PDF)
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.
British Columbia Building Code 2018 Emissions and Energy Efficiency Standards
September 23, 2022 to November 4, 2022 | Review Now Closed
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)
- Watch introductory presentations on YouTube
- Listen to introductory presentations (five zipped MP3 files, 90 MB)
- Read introductory presentations (five zipped PDFs)
- Read the 2022 update to the Metrics Research Report (PDF, 24.3 MB)
- Read financial analysis and technical analysis
- Read the Best Practices Bulletin (PDF)
Industry-specific training or information may be available from your organization.
British Columbia Building Code Accessibility
October 28, 2021 to January 13, 2022 | Engagement Now Closed
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)
- 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.
British Columbia Building Code 2018 Revision 2
June 28, 2019 to August 23, 2019 | Review Now Closed
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)
- BC Energy Step Code for Large Buildings in Cold Climates and Public Sector Buildings (PDF)
- 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)
- New Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Alarms (PDF)
- New Roof-top Enclosures and Roof-top Occupancy (PDF)
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).
British Columbia Building Code 2018 Revision 1
December 12, 2017 to February 28, 2018 | Review Now Closed
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.
BC Building Code
- Accessibility (PDF)
Appendix 1 Track Changes (PDF)
Appendix 2 Where to Find BC Specific Provisions by Code Reference (PDF)
- Area Calculation of Exposing Building Face (PDF)
- Asbestos (PDF)
- Energy Efficiency Standards (PDF)
- Exit Signs (PDF)
- Factory-Constructed Buildings (PDF)
- Fenestration (PDF)
- Heritage Buildings (PDF)
- Mid-Rise Combustible Construction (PDF)
- Outdoor Design Conditions and Air Cleaning (PDF)
- Radon (PDF)
- Stairs Dimensions of Tapered Treads (PDF)
- Stairs Handrails in Curved Stairs (PDF)
- Stairs No Spiral Stairs (PDF)
BC Plumbing Code
BC Fire Code
British Columbia Building Code 2012 Revision
Doors, Windows and Skylights
June 4 – 25, 2015 | Review Now Closed
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 provides an overview of the North American Fenestration Standards. A second presentation 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.