For Review: Upcoming Amendments to the BC Building Code (2024)

The B.C. Government invites comments on upcoming amendments to British Columbia Building Code (BC Codes) 2024.

The technical public review will run from December 15, 2025, to January 23, 2026. Information to support your participation is available on the BC Codes public review website. The revisions are anticipated to take effect by March 2026.

This technical public review focuses on the following proposed changes:

• Permit the use and acceptance of CCMC evaluations as acceptable solutions.
• Adopt National Model Code provisions for Secondary Suites as an option (pending).
• Provide further guidance for Structural Engineers by defining structural elasticity.
• Inclusion of additional reference documentation to provide guidance for Structural designers when applying performance-based seismic assessments for “upgrades” and “retrofits” of existing buildings.
• Adopt revised energy efficiency step code metrics adjustments for smaller homes in colder climates.

Please note: The proposed code change for Secondary Suites will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

The following are for information only (no feedback required):

• Strata
• Minor changes to address compliance challenges with Part 9 lateral loads (braced wall panels)

Please feel free to share this information with others in your organization.

Questions on the survey or the proposed code changes can be emailed to construction.standards@gov.bc.ca.

Access the survey on the proposed code changes here.