BC Building Code current and historical

Last revised November 05, 2025

The 2024 BC Building Code is the code that is currently in force, effective March 8, 2024. It is a provincial regulation, BC Reg 264/2012 that governs new construction, building alterations, repairs and demolitions and is based on the National Building Code of Canada 2020 with some variations specific to BC. The code applies throughout the province, except on federal land, reserves, and the City of Vancouver where the City of Vancouver Building Bylaw (2025 VBBL) applies.

The code is available free online and print copies can be purchased from the King’s printer. Print copies are also available for reference in BC Courthouse Libraries and public libraries throughout BC.

National Codes

The National Codes on which the BC code is based are model codes, and as such have no legal status unless adopted by the province. These model codes are objective-based and meant to promote consistency among provincial and territorial codes, but local authorities may amend or revise the requirements to meet local conditions. In order to stay apace with industry changes technological advances, new editions of the codes are published roughly every five years. The most recent editions were published in 2020 and include:

• National Building Code 2020
• National Plumbing Code 2020
• National Fire Code 2020
• National Energy Code for Buildings 2020

The National Research Council Canada makes these publications available free in electronic format with print versions available for purchase. Historical National Codes are available in print at Courthouse Libraries from 1985 to 2020, and Vancouver Public Library and UBC Library have historical editions dating back to the first National Building Code in 1941.  Electronic archived versions of the National Code from 1941 to 1998 are available on the National Research Council site.

Legislative Authority

Prior to September 1, 1973, local governments adopted a building code under local bylaws. In 1973 an amendment to the Municipal Act gave the provincial government the power to make regulations establishing a building code (including the plumbing code) for the province through an Order in Council. An amendment to the Act in 1977 eliminated the need for an OIC and gave authority to the Minister of Municipal Affairs to enact the codes through a Minister’s Order.

As of September 2015, the province makes building regulations under the authority of the Building Act. This legislation is the first act dedicated solely to building and construction in BC and was intended to modernize and streamline the Building Code. The Building Act gives sole authority to the province to establish building requirements and establishes mandatory requirements for local building officials. More detailed information about the changes resulting from this legislation can be found in the province of BC’s Construction Standards User Guides on the BC Government website.

Content reviewed October 22, 2025