Resources and Contact Information
Publication date: August 21, 2023Resources and contact information to support those using the BC Building Code and other provincial building regulations.
On this page:
Links to BC Codes pages
Guides
- BC Energy Step Code (external link) contains guides, training videos and other materials to help Energy Step Code users
- Part 9 Compliance Checklist (.xlsm, 1.0 MB) is for Energy and Zero Carbon Step Code buildings with building permits dated on or after May 1, 2023.
- Part 9 Compliance Checklist Manual (PDF, 0.5MB) provides instructions on how to use the Compliance Checklist.
- Guideline on Single Zone Cooling in Dwelling Units (PDF, 859 KB) provides information to support users in meeting the cooling requirements for Part 9 buildings.
- ASHRAE Standard 100 User Guide (PDF, 8.5 MB) provides explanations, examples and reference material to help improve energy efficiency in existing buildings.
- Building Accessibility Handbooks
- Building Accessibility Handbook 2020 (PDF, 9.8MB) is an update to the 2014 edition to support users to apply the BC Building Code 2018 accessibility requirements
- Building Access Handbook 2014 (PDF, 3.6MB) is an illustrated guide to support users to apply the BC Building Code 2012 accessibility requirements
- 2024 BC Building Code Adaptable Dwelling Unit Illustrative Design Guide
- Building Act Guide explains the Building Act and B.C.'s building regulatory system
- Building Envelope Thermal Bridging Guide (external link) explains thermal bridging to help realize more energy-efficient multi-unit residential, commercial and institutional buildings
- Earthquake Safety and the BC Building Code (PDF) provides an overview of building design and construction regulation for earthquake safety
- Energy Efficiency Illustrated Guides provide information on how to comply with the requirements in Section 9.36 of the 2012 Code
- Lower Mainland Climate Zone 4 (PDF)
- North Vancouver Island and Interior
Climate Zones 5 to 7A (PDF) - Northern B.C. Climate Zones 7B and 8 (PDF)
- Float Home Standard (PDF) outlines standards for the design and construction of float homes
- Learn about the History of British Columbia Building Regulations
(2015 version) - Solar Hot Water Ready Regulation Guide (PDF) provides information on the installation of rough-ins for solar domestic hot water systems
Reports
- BC Building Code Accessibility Engagement Summary Report (PDF 1.5MB)
- BC Building Code Accessibility Engagement Executive Summary
- Indigenous Engagement on Building Codes - December 2021 – January 2022 (PDF)
- Existing Buildings Renewal Strategy Engagement Summary – September – December 2021 (PDF)
- Phase 1 consultation report 2019 (PDF)
- Space and Cost Impact Report
External resources
BC Housing
BC Housing's Learning Centre provides learning on a variety of residential construction industry topics in their Research Library (external link). The library includes
- Builder Insight series (external link)
- Building Science Reports (external link)
- Residential Design & Construction Guides (external link) which includes guides on
- Seismic bracing requirements for Part 9 buildings
- Building Envelope Thermal Bridging
- BC Energy Step Code Design and Building
- Mid-rise Best Practices
They also have recordings of past seminars in their Building Smart (external link) series.
Building Officials' Association of BC
Building Officials' Association of BC (external link) has useful links for building officials and other professionals.
Access educational videos:
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