To tackle the housing crisis, the code has redefined how we build:
The new code structure is unique: the regulation itself is a concise one-page document that adopts the by reference, supplemented by a specific Ontario Amendment Document for provincial-only variations (such as accessibility and sewage systems). 3. Key Technical Changes by Category Housing and Secondary Suites (Part 9) The 2024 Ontario Building Code | ontario.ca ontario building code 2024
A common question: "I have a permit approved under the old code. Am I forced to follow the 2024 rules?" To tackle the housing crisis, the code has
| Aspect | Ontario 2024 | NBC 2020 | |--------|--------------|----------| | Wood-frame height | 6 storeys | 12 storeys (mass timber) | | Energy efficiency | SB-12 tiered | NECB 2017 | | Radon protection | Mandatory in all new homes | Mandatory in high-risk zones only | | Barrier-free thresholds | 13 mm max | 10 mm max | Am I forced to follow the 2024 rules
The represents the most significant update to provincial construction regulations in decades. Effectively January 1, 2025 , the new code streamlines more than 1,730 technical variations to align Ontario with the 2020 National Building Code of Canada (NBC) . Implementation and Transition Timeline
: The 2024 OBC officially came into force on January 1, 2025 .