Under Canada’s constitution, provinces and territories regulate the design and construction of houses and buildings, and the maintenance and operation of fire safety systems in existing buildings.
The National Model Codes are developed and maintained by the CBHCC. The documents serve as models for provincial and territorial building and fire regulations and come into effect once adopted in full or in part by an authority having jurisdiction. In some cases, the National Model Codes are amended and/or supplemented to suit regional needs and then published as jurisdictional codes.
While the National Model Codes are prepared centrally under the direction of the CBHCC, adoption and enforcement of the Codes are the responsibility of the provincial and territorial authorities having jurisdiction.
Codes currently in effect in each province/territory
For the most current information on the adoption status of the National Model Codes in your area, please contact the appropriate provincial or territorial authority.
| National Model Code |
Edition in effect as of August 2024 |
Adopted in full or with variations |
Enforcement date |
Anticipated adoption |
| Building (NBC) |
2020 edition, Energy Performance Tier 1 |
Adopted with territorial variations |
April 1st, 2023 |
Not applicable |
| Fire (NFC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with territorial variations |
April 1st, 2023 |
Not applicable |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with territorial variations |
April 1st, 2023 |
Not applicable |
| Energy (NECB) |
Not adopted |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
The NECB 2020 is not currently included in Yukon regulations other than applying as stated in Article 9.36.1.3. of the NBC 2020. |
| National Model Code |
Edition in effect as of August 2024 |
Adopted in full or with variations |
Enforcement date |
Anticipated adoption |
| Building (NBC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted in full |
October 1st, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Fire (NFC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted in full |
October 1st, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
Not adopted |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
| Energy (NECB) |
Not adopted |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
| National Model Code |
Edition in effect as of August 2024 |
Adopted in full or with variations |
Enforcement date |
Anticipated adoption |
| Building (NBC) |
2015 edition |
Adopted in full |
September 8, 2018 |
Adoption and enforcement dates of the NBC 2020 are to be confirmed |
| Fire (NFC) |
2015 edition |
Adopted in full |
September 8, 2018 |
Adoption and enforcement dates of the NFC 2020 are to be confirmed |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2015 edition |
Adopted in full |
September 8, 2018 |
Adoption and enforcement dates of the NPC 2020 are to be confirmed |
| Energy (NECB) |
2015 edition |
Adopted in full |
|
Adoption and enforcement dates of the NECB 2020 are to be confirmed |
| National Model Code |
Edition in effect as of August 2024 |
Adopted in full or with variations |
Enforcement date |
Anticipated adoption |
| Building (NBC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
March 8, 2024 |
Changes to adaptable dwellings and seismic requirements will be effective on March 10, 2025. Farm building and home-type care occupancy requirements are not yet adopted. |
| Fire (NFC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
March 8, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
March 8, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Energy (NECB) |
2020 edition* |
Adopted in full* |
March 8, 2024 |
Not applicable |
* British Columbia enforces an energy step code
| National Model Code |
Edition in effect as of August 2024 |
Adopted in full or with variations |
Enforcement date |
Anticipated adoption |
| Building (NBC) |
2020 edition, Energy Performance Tier 1 |
Adopted with provincial variations |
May 1st, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Fire (NFC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
May 1st, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted in full |
April 1st, 2023 |
Not applicable |
| Energy (NECB) |
2020 edition, Energy Performance Tier 1 |
Adopted in full |
May 1st, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| National Model Code |
Edition in effect as of August 2024 |
Adopted in full or with variations |
Enforcement date |
Anticipated adoption |
| Building (NBC) |
2020 edition, Energy Performance Tier 2 |
Adopted with provincial variations |
January 1st, 2024 |
Energy Performance Tier 3 is proposed to be effective January 1st, 2026 |
| Fire (NFC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
January 1st, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
January 1st, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Energy (NECB) |
2020 edition, Energy Performance Tier 1 |
Adopted with provincial variations |
January 1st, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| National Model Code |
Edition in effect as of August 2024 |
Adopted in full or with variations |
Enforcement date |
Anticipated adoption |
| Building (NBC) |
2020 edition, Energy Performance Tier 1 |
Adopted with provincial variations |
January 1st, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Fire (NFC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
January 1st, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
January 1st, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Energy (NECB) |
2020 edition, Energy Performance Tier 1 |
Adopted with provincial variations |
January 1st, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| National Model Code |
Edition in effect as of August 2024 |
Adopted in full or with variations |
Enforcement date |
Anticipated adoption |
| Building (NBC) |
2015 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
|
Ontario adopted the 2020 edition of the NBC, with variations, including requirements related to farm buildings. The next edition of the provincial code is expected to come into effect on January 1st, 2025. |
| Fire (NFC) |
Various, including 2015 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
|
Ontario Fire Code will be adopting portions of the NFC 2020 with provincial variations, with an anticipated enforcement date in 2026. |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2015 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
|
Ontario adopted the 2020 edition of the NPC, with variations. The next edition of the provincial code has been incorporated into the Ontario Building Code and is expected to come into effect on January 1, 2025. |
| Energy (NECB) |
2015 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
|
Not available |
| National Model Code |
Edition in effect as of August 2024 |
Adopted in full or with variations |
Enforcement date |
Anticipated adoption |
| Building (NBC) |
2015 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
|
The 2020 edition of the NBC is expected to be adopted in winter 2025 |
| Fire (NFC) |
2010 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
|
The 2020 edition of the NFC is expected to be adopted in winter 2025 |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
July 11, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Energy (NECB) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
July 13, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| National Model Code |
Edition in effect as of August 2024 |
Adopted in full or with variations |
Enforcement date |
Anticipated adoption |
| Building (NBC) |
2015 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
February 1st, 2021 |
Not available |
| Fire (NFC) |
2015 edition |
Adopted in full |
February 1st, 2021 |
Not available |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2015 edition |
Adopted in full |
February 1st, 2021 |
Not available |
| Energy (NECB) |
2011 edition |
Adopted in full |
February 1st, 2021 |
Not available |
| National Model Code |
Edition in effect as of August 2024 |
Adopted in full or with variations |
Enforcement date |
Anticipated adoption |
| Building (NBC) |
2020 edition, Energy Performance Tier 1 |
Adopted in full |
March 31, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Fire (NFC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted in full |
March 31, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted in full |
March 31, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Energy (NECB) |
2020 edition, Energy Performance Tier 1 |
Adopted in full |
March 31, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| National Model Code |
Edition in effect as of August 2024 |
Adopted in full or with variations |
Enforcement date |
Anticipated adoption |
| Building (NBC) |
2015 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
April 1st, 2017 |
The 2020 edition of the NBC, Energy Performance Tier 1, will be effective April 1, 2025.
Energy Performance Tier 2 will be effective April 1, 2026
Energy Performance Tier 3 will be effective April 1, 2027 |
| Fire (NFC) |
2015 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
April 1st, 2017 |
Not available |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2015 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
May 1st, 2017 |
The 2020 edition of the NPC will be effective April 1, 2025 |
| Energy (NECB) |
2017 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
April 1st, 2017 |
The 2020 edition of the NECB, Energy Performance Tier 1, will be effective April 1, 2025
Energy Performance Tier 2 will be effective April 1, 2027
Energy Performance Tier 3 will be effective April 1, 2029 |
| National Model Code |
Edition in effect as of August 2024 |
Adopted in full or with variations |
Enforcement date |
Anticipated adoption |
| Building (NBC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
September 28, 2022 |
Not applicable |
| Fire (NFC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
September 28, 2022 |
Not applicable |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
Varies by municipality; the NPC is adopted at the municipal level. |
| Energy (NECB) |
Not adopted |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Adoption of the NECB 2020 is under review |
