As reported in the OAA News, earlier this summer, the Ministry of Municipal Housing and Affairs (MMAH) made amendments to Ontario’s Building Code and the Building Code Act on topics such as four-storey townhouses, addressing errata, extension of temporary health, and residential exemptions. The OAA also responded to an OBC-focused public consultation in August 2026. 

MMAH has made changes under Part 3 of Ontario’s Building Code to remove design constraints for four-storey non-stacked townhouses, allowing their construction without the need for alternative solutions. These changes came into force on July 22, 2026. To learn more about changes, click here. To read the OAA’s submission on these amendments, click here. 

The Ministry has made amendments to the Building Code Act to clarify and reinforce that municipalities cannot establish or enforce construction standards that differ from or exceed Building Code requirements. These changes came into force on July 21, 2026. To learn more about the changes, click here. To read the OAA’s submission on Bill 98, Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026, which relates to these changes, click here. 

The temporary Building Code measures introduced through O. Reg. 434/22 (Temporary Health or Residential Facilities) in response to COVID-19 have been extended for one additional year. Learn more on the Ontario Regulatory Registry site.  

As reported in the August 13 edition of OAA News, the OAA also participated in a public consultation related to regulatory burden. You can read it on the OAA Website. 

The OAA will continue to monitor and participate in any follow-up consultations arising from the work of the Building Code Short-Term Advisory Body, which was established in June 2026 to provide independent advice to the MMAH.