The Government of Ontario has introduced a new Building Code with the filing of Ontario Regulation 350/06 (the Building Code) on June 28, 2006.

The 2006 Building Code is written in an objective-based format to promote innovation and flexibility in design and construction.  The objective-based Code will continue to contain prescriptive requirements known as “acceptable solutions” that serve as benchmarks for evaluation.

The 2006 Building Code also includes over 700 technical changes.  These changes include:

• Significant increases in the energy efficiency requirements for buildings;
• Increased accessibility requirements for buildings;
• More flexibility in the design and construction of small care homes; and
• Updating/simplifying the requirements for small buildings, including houses.

Timing:
Most of the requirements in the next edition of the Building Code will come into force on December 31, 2006.  This transition period is intended to give building officials, builders, designers and product manufacturers time to become familiar with the objective-based format and the new technical provisions.

In addition, the Building Code contains a transition provision with respect to permits issued before December 31, 2006, or where working drawings, plans and specifications are substantially completed before December 31, 2006, and an application for a permit is made before March 31, 2007.

Further Code changes related to energy efficiency will be phased in.  Effective December 31, 2008, the Code will require that new houses be constructed with near-full-height basement insulation.  In addition, as of December 31, 2011, the Building Code will require new houses to meet standards that are substantially in accordance with EnerGuide 80 and also require that new non-residential and larger residential buildings meet standards that are substantially in accordance with energy efficiency levels that are 25% higher than the Model National Energy Code for Buildings.

A separate “transition” regulation (O. Reg. 349/06) that amends the current Building Code (O. Reg. 403/97) was also filed on June 28, 2006 and took effect immediately.  O. Reg. 349/06 includes provisions that:

• Promote the use of certain green technologies;
• Create more flexibility in the construction of small care homes; and
• Update the list of applicable law. 

Code Publication:
The new Code is expected to be published in the Ontario Gazette on July 22.  Publications Ontario will be conducting a special printing of only the Regulation which is expected to be available in early August.  The Office Compendium of the Building Code, including a fully formatted and indexed edition of O. Reg. 350/06, supplementary standards, appendices and related materials, will be available in the Fall, 2006 from Publications Ontario.  Please see the Backgrounder: Publication of Ontario's 2006 Building Code

Information Sessions and Training:
As part of the release of the 2006 Building Code, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is planning province-wide information sessions on Ontario's 2006 Building Code.   

Please visit our Information Sessions page for more information.

The Ministry is preparing supportive training in key areas that will be available in Fall, 2006.   In particular, the Ministry is preparing objective-based codes transition training to help designers, building officials, builders and other Code users become familiar with the administration and use of the new code structure. The Ministry also anticipates updating existing training courses.    This training will be developed in consultation with the building community and is expected to be delivered through our existing network of licensed training organizations.

For more information on the 2006 Building Code and related matters, please see the following supporting documents:

• To view Press Release click here
• To view the following Backgrounders:
  • What You Should Know About The 2006 Ontario Building Code
  • Ontario's New Building Code
  • Energy Efficiency In The 2006 Building Code
  • Endorsements Of The Building Code 2006
  • Publication of Ontario's 2006 Building Code 
• To view Questions and Answers click here or Questions et réponses
• To view Questions and Answers on motion sensors click here
• To view Building Code regulation (O. Reg. 350/06) on E-laws click here 
• To view the transition regulation (O. Reg. 349/06) on E-laws click here

In addition, the Good Government Act, 2006 received Royal Assent on June 22, 2006.  Schedule “O” to this statute contains technical amendments to the Building Code Act, 1992 that came into force upon Royal Assent, including amendments related to inspection notices and orders to uncover. The Good Government Act, 2006 is available electronically on the E-Laws click here.