Regulation - Minister
Proposed Changes for the Next Edition of Ontario s Building Code (Fall Consultation)
Regulation Number(s):
O. Reg. 332/12: BUILDING CODE
Instrument Type:
Regulation - Minister
Bill or Act:
Building Code Act, 1992
Summary of Proposal:
Ontario s Building Code is a regulation under the Building Code Act, 1992 which sets out minimum administrative and technical requirements for new construction, renovation, and change of use of buildings. New editions or major amendments to Ontario s Building Code are generally released every five years to coincide with updates to the National Construction Codes.
As part of the development process for the next edition of Ontario s Building Code, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is engaging in consultation starting in Fall 2021 on some existing variations from National Construction Codes as well as a number of proposed changes that are unique to Ontario s Building Code.
Further consultation is planned in 2022 on changes related to the new 2020 National Construction Codes and a separate notice will be posted to the Regulatory Registry for feedback.
The next edition of Ontario s Building Code is an important step in the process to support increased harmonization with National Construction Codes. Approximately 60% of Ontario s Code is currently consistent with the National Construction Codes. This proposal includes changes that would further reduce the number of technical variations between Ontario s Building Code and National Construction Codes.
Your feedback is sought on:
-Existing technical variations that may affect current building designs, construction and enforcement. These proposed changes would also significantly contribute to increasing harmonization.
-Ontario-only changes which would update existing requirements, address Coroner s Inquest recommendations and respond to requests related to Building Code provisions that are not addressed in the National Construction Codes.
These changes are described in the attached Proposed Building Code Changes: Existing Technical Variations and Ontario-only Changes. Please submit comments on any of the proposed changes using the link provided within this document, by using the comment function below, and or submitting an email directly to buildingcode.consultation@ontario.ca with the Sentence(s) or Article(s) as the subject line.
In addition, a number of low-impact changes related to other existing variations with the National Construction Codes is proposed.
-These low-impact existing variations would not result in changes in policy and would have minimal impact on current design and construction practices. Making these low-impact changes in the next edition of the Building Code would increase harmonization.
These changes can be reviewed in the attached supporting document: Proposed Building Code Changes: Low-Impact Existing Variations. Comments related to these changes can also be made using any of the options listed above.
As part of the development process for the next edition of Ontario s Building Code, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is engaging in consultation starting in Fall 2021 on some existing variations from National Construction Codes as well as a number of proposed changes that are unique to Ontario s Building Code.
Further consultation is planned in 2022 on changes related to the new 2020 National Construction Codes and a separate notice will be posted to the Regulatory Registry for feedback.
The next edition of Ontario s Building Code is an important step in the process to support increased harmonization with National Construction Codes. Approximately 60% of Ontario s Code is currently consistent with the National Construction Codes. This proposal includes changes that would further reduce the number of technical variations between Ontario s Building Code and National Construction Codes.
Your feedback is sought on:
-Existing technical variations that may affect current building designs, construction and enforcement. These proposed changes would also significantly contribute to increasing harmonization.
-Ontario-only changes which would update existing requirements, address Coroner s Inquest recommendations and respond to requests related to Building Code provisions that are not addressed in the National Construction Codes.
These changes are described in the attached Proposed Building Code Changes: Existing Technical Variations and Ontario-only Changes. Please submit comments on any of the proposed changes using the link provided within this document, by using the comment function below, and or submitting an email directly to buildingcode.consultation@ontario.ca with the Sentence(s) or Article(s) as the subject line.
In addition, a number of low-impact changes related to other existing variations with the National Construction Codes is proposed.
-These low-impact existing variations would not result in changes in policy and would have minimal impact on current design and construction practices. Making these low-impact changes in the next edition of the Building Code would increase harmonization.
These changes can be reviewed in the attached supporting document: Proposed Building Code Changes: Low-Impact Existing Variations. Comments related to these changes can also be made using any of the options listed above.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
Costs: There are no new administrative costs anticipated for regulated entities.
Benefits: The proposed changes would update requirements and increase harmonization between Ontario s Building Code and National Construction Codes. Some of the proposed changes respond to stakeholder requests and Coroner s Inquest recommendations.
Benefits: The proposed changes would update requirements and increase harmonization between Ontario s Building Code and National Construction Codes. Some of the proposed changes respond to stakeholder requests and Coroner s Inquest recommendations.
Further Information:
Executive Summary - Proposed Changes for the Next Edition of Building Code
(Download Adobe Reader)
Proposed Building Code Changes – Existing Technical Variations and Ontario-only Changes
(Download Adobe Reader)
Proposed Building Code Changes – Low-Impact Existing Variations
(Download Adobe Reader)
Proposal Number:
21-MMAH030
Posting Date:
October 20, 2021
Comments Due Date:
December 4, 2021
Contact Address:
Building and Development Branch
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
College Park 16th Floor, 777 Bay St, Toronto, ON M7A 2J3
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
College Park 16th Floor, 777 Bay St, Toronto, ON M7A 2J3