As of January 1, 2025, the 2024 Ontario Building Code will officially take effect. However, transition rules allow for the submission of new building permit applications under the existing 2012 Code until April 1, 2025, provided that applicants can demonstrate that their working drawings were substantially complete by December 31, 2024.

The 2024 Code aims to harmonize the Ontario Building Code with the National Building Code, adopting the latter with specific exceptions outlined in the Ontario Amendments to the National Building Code of Canada 2020. This update introduces several important changes, including:

• Enhanced requirements for fire protection
• Improved means of egress
• Updated regulations for mezzanines
• Guidelines for roof-mounted solar panels
• Barrier-free provisions
• Protection against radon and carbon monoxide
• Coordination of plumbing, heating, and ventilation standards with the National Code

Additionally, the new Code will impact the construction of agricultural buildings. New farm structures under 600 square meters (approximately 6,500 square feet) will remain governed by the 1997 Ontario Farm Building Code. In contrast, buildings exceeding this size will fall under the new National Farm Building Code (NFBC) categories, requiring collaboration between builders and designers to determine the appropriate classification.

It is important to note that certain provisions of the National Code, such as tornado resiliency requirements and specific energy efficiency standards for houses and large buildings, will not be adopted by Ontario at this time.

The province has also announced that examinations for becoming a Building Code Practitioner will continue to reference the 2012 Code for the time being. Updates regarding changes to training materials and examinations will be announced soon.

With the Ontario Building Code updating in 2024, it is critical for builders, architects, and contractors to be diligent in understanding and implementing the new standards. Failing to meet updated requirements could result in penalties, project delays, or even mandated reconstruction. To avoid these pitfalls OCA members should engage with the 2024 Ontario Building Code and its amendments as early as possible by attending workshops, consulting with legal professionals, or collaborating with code consultants can provide clarity on complex provisions, particularly where the Ontario Code diverges from the National Code.

Practitioners are encouraged to subscribe to the Ministry’s publication, Code News, to stay informed about the latest updates. You can subscribe at iaccess.gov.on.ca. For those interested, the 2024 Building Code Compendium is available via a free download at ontario.ca.

For more inforamtion, please contact Shawn O’Connor.