Errata and Revisions Update

Revision 6 – errata and revisions package has been published (effective June 16, 2025)

While most changes in Revision 6 are editorial, several updates to the adaptable dwelling unit provisions and seismic requirements for houses and small buildings are notable.

Adaptable Dwelling Units:

The updates identify additional design options and remove unintended rules. These changes do not introduce new restrictions, or necessitate changes in practice, as the new design choices are optional and may reduce costs. Key updates include:

• prescribing design alternatives, such as for accessible spaces, to follow the CSA B651-18 standard “Accessible design for the built environment”, which allow adjustments to clearances and widths for greater economy of space,
• greater clarity and consistency by assigning definitions to terms used,
• correction that a bedroom closet is optional- not required,
• additional options and flexibility adjacent toilets for structural assemblies that could support grab bars, and
• direction that the adaptable dwelling unit provisions only apply to new construction and not to alterations to existing dwellings (which could be impractical/impossible).

Seismic Requirements for Houses and Small Buildings

Seismic updates are intended to improve clarity and support builder compliance. These revisions reflect recommendations from the National Research Council of Canada committee that developed the original seismic provisions. Key updates include:

• greater clarity on anchorage and joints of framing members to improve safety,
• correcting images to inform which requirements apply to which storeys, and
• correcting an equation for more practical and logical alternative solutions.

You can access Revision 6 of the BC Building Code 2024 on the Code Revisions page of the Construction Standards and Digital Solutions website and the corresponding technical bulletin on the bulletins page.

If you have any questions, please email construction.standards@gov.bc.ca.

NEW Building Officials’ Handbook and ESC Resources available

We are pleased to inform that the updated BC Energy Step Code and Zero Carbon Step Code Handbook for Building Officials as well as a series of Building Inspection Videos can be found on the BOABAC Website under Energy Step Code Resources page.

AI Training for Municipal Officials – Join the waitlist today!

AI Training for Municipal Officials – Starting Fall 2025

Curious about artificial intelligence and how it can support your work? Join the wait list for a dedicated AI training course for municipal officials developed in partnership with the BOABC, OBOA, and FNNBOA and supported by DIGITAL.

Learning will be tailored to building officials, inspectors, plan reviewers, permitting staff, planners, and fire prevention officers — designed to demystify the technology and show practical applications in the code compliance process.

Topics include:

• Understanding AI and its Role in Construction
• Introduction to AI Tools
• AI-Powered Permit Review Process
• AI for Code Compliance and Zoning Regulations
• Ethics, Data Privacy, and Responsible AI Use in Government

Join the wait list HERE

CPD credit will be provided.

CPD Opportunity – Fox Blocks Primary Installer (Canada)

This online training is designed for builders, inspectors, and industry professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge of Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs). It covers ICF fundamentals, energy code compliance, installation techniques, and building envelope performance—equipping participants with the technical knowledge to evaluate and inspect ICF construction confidently.

Date: Anytime

Duration: 6 hours self-paced

Cost: Free

Location: online

Registration: Register online

CPD Eligibility: 6 CPD points under category A4 (you will need to self report these points).

Join in Bi-weekly Sprint Demos

You’re invited to join the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affair’s bi-weekly Sprint Demos!

The Digital Delivery team, within the ministry, hosts these demos to share updates on Building Permit Hub—including a live demo of upcoming features, review of short- and long-term roadmaps, and standardization work. Attendees include staff within local jurisdictions and industry planning departments.

If you’d like to be included in upcoming Sprint Demos, please contact Digital.Codes.Permits@gov.bc.ca.

CPD Opportunity – Modular Construction Projects – Delivery, Certification, Approvals Processes

This course highlights the differences between modular and conventional building processes and provides an overview of the CSA Group standards that are applicable to modular construction.

This course update has been funded by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development (MLITSD).

Learning Objectives

After taking this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the differences between modular construction and conventional construction.
• Outline benefits of modular construction to project parties.
• Review how CSA Z277 (for in-factory certification), CSA Z250, (for delivery) and CSA Z252 (for compliance and approvals) apply to projects and how they complement/relate to each other.
• Explain the steps the modular design, construction, delivery, and installation processes and how the processes impact the various project parties.
• Recognize how to delineate off-site and on-site tasks and scope of work (SOW) related to compliance and approval requirements using CSA Z252.
• List the key factors in the pre-construction of a project and best practices to address challenges.
• Identify the main aspects of module fabrication and certification in an off-site factory and best practices to address challenges.
• Describe post-fabrication phase processes and best practices to address.

Date & Time: Anytime – self-paced

Cost: Free

Location: Online

Registration: Click Here

CPD Eligibility: 3 points – Category A4 (you will need to self-report these points)

BC Housing Illustrated Guide: Lateral Bracing Requirements – Part 9 of the BC Building Code 2024

This guide has been produced in an effort to clearly describe the new Code requirements for the lateral bracing of houses in B.C. View the guide.

Now Available – Structural Commentaries (User’s Guide – NBC 2020: Part 4 of Division B)

The Structural Commentaries User’s Guide – NBC 2020: Part 4 of Division B is now available. This guide is designed to help Code users understand the design provisions in Part 4 of Division B of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) 2020.

It provides information and suggested approaches to certain design questions related to structural sufficiency such as limit states design, snow, rain, and wind loads, and design for seismic effects.

This new edition reflects technical changes incorporated into the NBC 2020, covering topics such as:

1. Importance Categories, including post-disaster buildings.
2. Loads and load combinations for serviceability limit states
3. Tributary areas and live load reduction factors for slabs.
4. Snow loads on roofs with solar panels, drift loads for canopies and small roofs adjacent to tall buildings, and wind loads on parapets and attached canopies.

Commentary J has been comprehensively updated to align with the changes to NBC 2020’s seismic design provisions. Key updates include information on:

1. Canada’s 6^th Generation Seismic Hazard Model (CanadaSHM6).
2. The new approach to seismic hazard calculation, including the use of site designation.
3. The use of the NBC 2020 Seismic Hazard Tool.
4. The application of the new Seismic Categories.
5. The application of provisions for sloped column irregularity and for buildings with gravity-induced lateral demand.

Additionally, this edition introduces Commentary M, which addresses large farm buildings, including bins and silos.

The Structural Commentaries are a resource for designers, regulators, and builders in the construction industry. The guide is available for free, in electronic format, through the National Research Council of Canada’s (NRC’s) Publications Archive, and for purchase, in printed format, from the NRC’s Virtual Store.

2024 Code Update Training

In accordance with the Association’s Administrative Agreement with the Province, all qualified officials must complete code update training to maintain their qualifications.

The requirement to complete code update training applies to all qualified building and plumbing officials, including all building and plumbing officials in-training (i.e. BOIT or POIT) and anyone who obtains level one building or plumbing official qualification prior to September 3, 2024, must complete Code Update Training.  For example, if you pass one of the level 1 exams based on the 2018 BCBC and then write the other level 1 exam based on the 2024 BCBC, you will still be required to complete the 2024 Code Update Training.

Training requirements for qualified officials:

• Building: qualified building officials must complete the building code update training only
• Plumbing: qualified plumbing officials must complete the plumbing code update training only
• Building & Plumbing: anyone who is dual qualified as both a building and plumbing official must complete building and plumbing code update training

Registration is also open to non-members by clicking here.

CPD Eligibility: CPD points will need to be self-reported by logging into your member portal. You will need to self-report these points under Category A2 once you have completed all of the components that you registered for, along with submitting the Certificate(s) of Completion as proof.

• Please note: These courses have been approved by BC Housing for CPD points for Licensed Builders. 

Provincial Update – Adaptable-Dwelling & Seismic Provisions effective March 10, 2025

New BC Building Code (BCBC) 2024 provisions for adaptable dwellings and seismic design come into effect Monday, March 10, 2025, with adaptable-dwelling requirements being gradually implemented.

To read more, please CLICK HERE.