Current Codes

The NBC sets technical requirements for the design and construction of new buildings as well as alterations, change of use, and demolition. The requirements address safety, health, accessibility, the protection of buildings from fire and structural damage, and the protection of the environment

The 2025 edition of the NBC includes the following updates:

• Expansion of the accessibility objective to apply to all types of dwelling units, with flexibility for jurisdictions to adjust how the requirements are applied to suit local needs
• Expansion of the objective of protecting adjacent buildings or facilities from fire to apply to large farm buildings, along with the introduction of related technical requirements
• Increase in the permitted exposure of mass timber elements and the maximum physical height for encapsulated mass timber construction, in certain conditions
• Introduction of a requirement for a passive vertical radon stack in dwelling units and home-type care occupancies, helping to mitigate radon exposure for Canadians
• Inclusion of projected climatic data, which anticipates climate trends over the next 50 years, so buildings are better prepared for future climate conditions in Canada
• Expansion of the environment objective to address greenhouse gas emissions
• Introduction of a harmonized framework that aims to reduce the operational greenhouse gas emissions of houses and buildings, providing a harmonized pathway for provinces and territories to reduce emissions over time by choosing the performance level that best suits their needs
• Introduction of energy efficiency requirements for the alteration of existing buildings, offering building officials a harmonized framework to enforce code requirements in retrofits
• Updated requirements for resistance to lateral loads from earthquakes and wind to maintain structural performance, while responding to modern day trends in housing design and construction
• Completion of the points-based prescriptive trade-off path for all energy performance tiers, maintaining flexibility for builders to choose energy conservation measures that are the most cost-effective for their design
• Introduction of an energy use intensity path for compliance with energy performance tiers, providing builders with an additional option to demonstrate compliance that recognizes the inherent efficiencies of smaller, more compact housing forms
• Provision of simple, optional prescriptive packages for builders to demonstrate compliance with energy performance tiers 1 and 5

The NFC sets out fire protection requirements for the safe use and maintenance of buildings. It also applies to the conduct of activities that might cause fire hazards in and around buildings, fire safety at construction and demolition sites, the establishment of fire safety plans, and limitations on hazardous contents in and around buildings.

The 2025 edition of the NFC includes the following updates:

• Expansion of the objective of protecting adjacent buildings or facilities from fire to apply to large farm buildings
• Removal of the application limits placed on the reference to CSA B139 Series:24, “Installation Code for Oil Burning Equipment,” so the standard can be referenced for all tank sizes within its scope
• Clarification of the maximum quantities of dangerous goods that are permitted for use in laboratories, including the addition of limits for compressed gases
• Introduction of additional measures to reduce the risk of fire spread in encapsulated mass timber buildings during construction, while permitting increased exposure of mass timber elements in certain conditions

The NPC includes provisions for the safe installation of potable water systems, the removal of wastewater to municipal or private sewage water systems, and water use efficiency.

The 2025 edition of the NPC includes the following updates:

• Introduction of requirements for condensate drainage systems to prevent leaks, odours and mould
• Clarification of the requirements for roof drainage systems, while providing additional design options
• Introduction of requirements to protect potable water from chemical contamination
• Removal of dilution as an option for treating corrosive or acid waste, while retaining neutralization, to better protect plumbing infrastructure and the environment

The NECB sets technical requirements that address the protection of the environment in the design and construction of new buildings and in subsequent alterations.

The 2025 edition of the NECB includes the following updates:

• Expansion of the environment objective to address greenhouse gas emissions
• Introduction of a harmonized framework that aims to reduce the operational greenhouse gas emissions of buildings, offering provinces and territories a harmonized pathway to reduce emissions over time by choosing the performance level that best suits their needs
• Introduction of energy efficiency requirements for the alteration of existing buildings, offering building officials a harmonized framework to enforce code requirements in retrofits
• Updated requirements to account for the impact of thermal bridging through the building envelope
• Introduction of an energy use intensity path for compliance with energy performance tiers, providing builders with an additional option to demonstrate compliance that recognizes the inherent efficiencies of smaller, more compact building forms
• Inclusion of projected climatic data, which anticipates climate trends over the next 50 years, so buildings are better prepared for future climate conditions in Canada

The NFBC applies to small farm buildings of low human occupancy and contains minimum requirements on matters affecting human health, fire safety, and structural sufficiency. Requirements for large farm buildings were introduced in the 2020 edition of the NBC.