Construction standards user guides

Access Provincial guides to help you understand key code requirements and the Building Act.

​Accessibility

BC Building Code accessibility requirements set minimum standard for building design and construction to improve usability.

• Adaptable Dwelling Unit Illustrative Design Guide (PDF, 748KB) - 2025
• Space and Cost Impact Report (PDF, 5.8MB) - 2025
• Building Access Handbook 2014 edition (PDF, 3.6 MB) - 2014
• Building Accessibility Handbook 2020 (PDF, 9.9 MB) - ​2020

Note: The Space and Cost Impact Report is based on earlier assumptions and does not reflect the most recent Code updates, including newer seismic and lateral bracing requirements. For current requirements, refer to the most recent BC Building Code, related revisions, bulletins, and updated guidance materials.

Building Act

The Building Act brings greater consistency for technical building requirements and improves how construction codes are understood and applied around B.C.

• Understanding B.C.'s Building Regulatory System (PDF, 705KB) - 2015
• Modernizing B.C.'s Building Regulatory System (PDF, 701KB) - 2015
• History of British Columbia's Building Regulations (PDF, 232 KB) - 2015

Earthquake and wind

Access supports and resources to understand and apply earthquake and wind requirements.

• Refer to the Structural Commentaries (User's Guide for the National Building Code of Canada 2020: Part 4 of Division B) - NRC Publications Archive - Canada.ca for more information.
• The Illustrated Guide: Lateral Bracing Requirement - Part 9 of the BC Building Code 2024.
  This guide has been produced by BC Housing in an effort to clearly describe the new Code requirements for the lateral bracing of houses in BC.
• The Canadian Wood Council released an The Wind and Seismic Bracing Calculator intended to aid in the design of the minimum braced wall panel length required for houses based on seismic and wind forces.
  The tool is intended for use by builders and designers who are experienced and familiar with wall bracing. The calculator is based for the NBC 2025.
• The National Research Council published an Illustrated User’s Guide - NBC 2020: Part 9 of Division B, Housing and Small Buildings which supplements the NBC 2020.
  The lateral loads content of this guide is not based on the NBC 2025 and is not relevant to the lateral load provisions of the BCBC 2024 nor the Illustrated Guide discussed in this bulletin.
• 2025 - 2020 National Building Code of Canada Seismic Hazard Tool
  This application provides seismic values for the design of buildings in Canada under Part 4 of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) 2020 and 2025, as prescribed in Article 1.1.3.1. of Division B of the respective NBC editions.
• EGBC Practice Guidelines (Coming soon!)

Energy

Step Code checklists and user guides

Access checklist and guides for adopting the BC Energy and Zero Carbon Step Codes 

• Part 3 building checklist and user guide 
• Part 9 building checklist and user guide
• BC Energy Step Code guides for local government and building officials

Single Zone Cooling

The BC Building Code include maximum design temperatures for a minimum of a single living space in a dwelling unit. Access guidelines to support compliance with with these new requirements.

• Guideline on Single Zone Cooling in Dwelling Units (PDF, 859 KB) - 2025

ASHRAE 100

ASHRAE 100 is an international building standard for improving energy efficiency in existing buildings. The user guide provides explanations, examples and reference material to help improve energy efficiency in existing buildings. 

• ASHRAE Standard 100 User Guide (PDF, 8.5 MB) - 2021​