Ontario has released a new Building Code to reduce regulatory burdens for the construction industry, increase the safety and quality of buildings, and make it easier to build housing.
The 2024 Building Code streamlines processes for the building sector and increases harmonization with the National Construction Codes by eliminating at least 1,730 technical variations between the provincial and national requirements.
This latest edition of the Building Code was developed in consultation with our partners in the sector - including building officials, fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, builders, and the construction industry - to help ensure that Ontario continues to promote high standards of public health and safety, and performance in new and renovated buildings.
This CodeNews contains important information about the 2024 Building Code, including transition timelines. Please read thoroughly.
2024 Building Code Format
The structure of the new Ontario Building Code regulation will change. The regulation will only be one page long (available on E-Laws) and will reference the 2020 National Building Code for the harmonized parts of the Code and the 2024 Ontario Amendment document for the Ontario differences.
The full-length version of Ontario's Building Code will no longer be available on E-Laws.
The links to the 2020 National Building Code and the Ontario Amendment document that constitutes the entire new 2024 Ontario's Building Code can be found as follows:
Production of the Compendium in digital and print versions is underway. CodeNews subscribers will be notified when they are available.
Highlights from the 2024 Building Code are also included below.
Timing and Transition Provisions
The 2024 Building Code comes into effect on January 1, 2025, with a three-month transition period that extends until March 31, 2025, for applications for which the working drawings were substantially complete before January 1, 2025. The province has also planned a training program to support the sector and keep current projects on track.
Please take careful note of the following dates in the transition timeline:
April 10, 2024 - Release and filing of the 2024 Ontario Building Code
January 1, 2025 - 2024 Ontario Building Code in effect
March 31, 2025 - Deadline for permit applications using the 2012 Ontario Building Code, where working drawings were substantially complete before January 1, 2025
April 1, 2025 - All permit applications must use the 2024 Ontario Building Code
Key Transition Period Dates (December 31, 2024 - March 31, 2025):
April 10, 2024 - December 31, 2024 | January 1, 2025 | March 31, 2025 | April 1, 2025 |
9 Months | 3 Months | ||
Permit applications must be submitted using the 2012 Building Code until December 31, 2024 | Permit applicants may use the new 2024 Building Code | Last day to submit permit applications using the 2012 Building Code where working drawings were substantially complete before January 1, 2025 | All permit applications must be submitted using the 2024 Building Code |
Training
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is developing a comprehensive training approach to help the industry understand the new requirements in the 2024 Ontario Building Code and to help build capacity in the sector. This approach will help facilitate a seamless adjustment to the new Code. This aims to ensure adequate time for training building practitioners on the new Ontario Building Code.
Further details on training sessions will be provided in the coming weeks.
2024 Ontario Building Code Highlights
Ontario's two-unit house provisions have harmonized with the National Building Code's requirements for secondary suites,except for the National Building Code's limitations around minimum suite sizes. Ontario will maintain its flexibility on suite sizes to support the government's housing objectives and minimize costs.
Ontario has fully harmonized with the National Building Code's requirements for Large Farm Buildings by introducing a new Part to Division B of the Building Code. The new Part contains separate provisions for the design of Large Farm Buildings and for Small Farm Buildings. This change will help to close a regulatory gap and be responsive to modern farm practices while also providing a minimum level of safety for farm buildings consistent with other buildings.
Ontario has harmonized with the National Building Code on mitigating the effects of radon on buildings across Ontario. The approach being adopted to address soil gas/radon will require new houses to have a rough-in for a subfloor depressurization system if subsequently required. The changes will include corresponding revisions to reference Supplementary Standard SB-9 and a new Appendix Note to clarify that buildings occupied for a few hours a day may not be required to implement soil gas protection methods.
Ontario has harmonized its provisions for fire protection systems (standpipe, fire alarms and fire sprinklers) with the National Building Code's requirements.
Ontario has updated its standard for prefabricated septic tanks and sewage holding tanks, which will include a safety screen below cleanout covers. Ontario has also made changes related to Type A Dispersal Beds, to distinguish materials that are used for the 'mantle'.
Exams
Building Code exams provided by Humber College will continue to use the 2012 Building Code provisions. An announcement will be made at a later date about exam changes that correspond to the 2024 Ontario Building Code.