The 2024 edition of Ontario’s Building Code (O. Reg. 163/24) came into effect on January 1, 2025, with a three-month transition period until March 31, 2025 for permit applications under the 2012 OBC for which the working drawings were substantially complete before 2025. Then, on April 1, 2025, all permit applications will be reviewed using the 2024 OBC.
The new OBC references the 2020 National Building Code of Canada (NBC) for the harmonized parts of the code and the Ontario amendments document for the differences in the province. This change in legislation results in the need to update multiple OAA resources, including the OBC Data Matrices.
Access the updated OBC Matrices, including the new Part 2 Farm OBC Matrix
With the assistance of OAA’s Practice Resource Committee, the OBC Matrices (Practice Tip PT.03, Building Code Data Matrices, alongside the guide to OBC matrices) were updated to reflect the changes from OBC 2012 and OBC 2024. As announced in the January 6, 2025 edition of OAA News, both versions of the documents will remain available until the end of the transition period on March 31.
Here are a few items of note:
• a new Part 2 Data Matrix for Farm Buildings was added, as well as new references in key areas of the guide and other matrices that address the new Group G Occupancy in the Building Code Act and Architects Act;
• edits were applied to Part 3 section, including substantive updates to Subsections 3.16 and 3.17 as related to new OBC 2024 content and terminology around seismic category, and the addition of Section 3.26 on Alternative Solutions (which resulted in renumbering for subsequent Part 3 items);
• Section 9.23, Bracing to Resist Lateral Loads Due to Wind and Earthquake, was added in a section addressing structural design paths available for Part 9 buildings; and
• minor editorial edits were applied Code Matrices for Part 10 (Change of Use) and Part 11 (Renovations), as well as references to clauses in the new Part 2.
During the transition period, two versions of the Practice Tip will remain available on the OAA Website. Members are encouraged to get familiar with the terminology and share with their consultant teams as needed.
New Changes to Seismic Design Requirements
Practice Tip PT.35, OBC Importance Category and Seismic Restraint, has undergone some significant updates to reflect OBC 2024. Here are some of the major changes in the latest version of the document:
• “Seismic Category” replaces the “Seismic Hazard Index” calculation throughout the updated Practice Tip to align with harmonization efforts between the NBC 2020 and the OBC 2024;
• more building uses added under the “post-disaster” subsection;
• Site Class subsection code reference has changed;
• significant updates applied to the “Seismic Hazard Index” subsection of the Practice Tip to reflect the change in parameters between the OBC 2012 and OBC 2024 (e.g. revised title to align with new parameters and terminology, removal of the chart of requirements under different seismic hazard index values, revised statement about how seismic category relates to seismic restraint (discussed in revised PT.35);
• new paragraph added to address lateral load bracing requirements for wind and earthquake as shown in a Table in Appendix A of OBC 2024 for Part 9 buildings;
• updated technical references for compliance alternatives (refer to Renovation subsection of the resource); and
• updated terminology to reflect new code parameters and language in the Procedure Section of the Practice Tip.
Refer to the seismic supplement in the Code Data Matrix Tools–Multi-tab Excel Workbook to assess the seismic design requirements of non-structural elements.
During the transition period, two versions of the Practice Tip will remain available on the OAA Website. Members are encouraged to get familiar with the terminology and share with their consultant teams as needed.
Quick Reminders
Purchase and download the 2024 OBC Compendium and Amendment #1 & Other Updates” by visiting the Government of Ontario page.
Get familiar with the Engineers, Architects and Building Officials (EABO) Transition Infographic on Ontario’s 2024 Building Code. The group, which includes the OAA, prepared an infographic to illustrate how some Ontario municipalities may be addressing the transition between the 2012 OBC and the 2024 version, including submission for permit under the 2012 OBC after December 31, 2024. (Members are reminded to consult with Authorities Having Jurisdiction for any particularity to their own processes during the transition phase.)
For training and resources, members are encouraged to review continuing education opportunities on the OAA’s ConEd Opportunities portal, which includes the OAA Continuing Education Webinar Series. Other industry stakeholders may also be preparing webinars soon.
The OAA’s Practice Advisory Services (PAS) team continues to work on updating other practice resource documents related to the building code.
This article originally appeared in the Practice Advisory, a newsletter developed by the OAA’s Practice Advisory Services team, which offers numerous resources for both members and the public. The OAA does not provide legal, insurance, or accounting advice—readers are advised to consult their own legal, accounting, or insurance representatives to obtain suitable professional advice in those regards.