In CodeNews 358 (July 10, 2024), the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) released as an attachment the Technical Bulletins for Ontario’s new 2024 Building Code. These offer highlights of key changes to the 2024 edition of Ontario’s Building Code (OBC) in an effort to ease the transition to the new Code. Request a copy of the Technical Bulletins by email from codeinfo@ontario.ca. (You can get the latest information related to building code updates by registering for CodeNews emails.)
2024 Building Code Format and Release of the Compendium
The new Ontario Building Code regulation O. Reg. 163/24 references the 2020 National Building Code of Canada (NBC) for the harmonized parts of the Code and the Ontario Amendment document for the differences in the province.
The two-volume digital 2024 Building Code Compendium is available online for free. It includes bookmarks, hyperlinked tables of contents, and the ability to insert personal notes or highlight sections of the code. OAA members may use the “Notify Me” function through the Publications Ontario website to receive an email notice when the hardcopy of the compendium is in stock.
Timing, Transition, and the Importance of Anticipating Changes
The 2024 edition of Ontario’s Building Code comes into effect on January 1, 2025, with a three-month transition period until March 31, 2025 for applications 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.
Architecture practices who anticipate the required changes may be best positioned to assess the impact on projects and discuss with clients its affect on projects.
The OAA’s Practice Advisory Services (PAS) team is focusing on updating the OAA’s Building Code Data Matrices, as well as other practice resource documents related to the building code.
National Harmonized Construction Codes and the new OBC: Lexology Article
This recent article, authored by Annik Forristal and Kailey Sutton of law firm McMillan LLP, may be useful for understanding the relationship between efforts to harmonize Ontario’s 2024 Building Code with the National Model Codes. The article provides an overview of the reconciliation agreement on construction codes, Ontario stakeholders’ input to Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes’ (CBHCC’s) Public Consultation, and adoption of the new code in the province. Source references may provide foundational information and resources for a deeper understanding of the “largest ever provincial building code revision.”
Training and Education from MMAH and from the OAA
MMAH is developing a training approach to help the industry understand the shift in requirements and to help build capacity in the sector. Stay tuned for future updates.
At the same time, the OAA is working with industry partners to develop education and training for key building code users with the intent of having a common understanding of the changes, implementation, and transition rules.
As a follow up to the session offered at the 2024 OAA Conference in Niagara Falls, a webinar will be offered in late September. It will cover a high-level understanding of the technical changes and how to navigate the revised structure of the Building Code. Secure your spot for September 25, 2024 and register for Navigating Ontario’s New 2024 Building Code now!