Ontario - Building Code 2024

You could use either the old 2012 OBC or the new 2024 OBC, provided your drawings were substantially complete before the new year.

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Previously limited to 12 storeys, the 2024 OBC now permits . This change, announced via CodeNews 364 in November 2024, took effect January 1, 2025.

: Could still use the 2012 OBC if plans were substantially completed by December 31, 2024. City of Kingston Major Technical Changes ontario building code 2024

: As of April 1, 2025, every new house and addition must include a radon control rough-in to allow for future mitigation if gas is detected.

A practical modernization: wireless technology is now explicitly permitted for interconnecting smoke alarms in houses with secondary suites. Smoke alarms must conform to , "Standard for Smoke Alarms". Additional requirements have also been introduced for the location of carbon monoxide detectors.

Historically, Ontario maintained a completely standalone building code document. The 2024 edition utilizes a . The new code consists of the National Building Code of Canada as the base document, paired with an Ontario Amendment Regulation that details province-specific modifications. Why the Shift? You could use either the old 2012 OBC

The province's ongoing housing crisis influenced several structural and spatial updates in the 2024 code:

The 2024 OBC marks a pivot toward . By aligning closely with the 2020 National Building Code, Ontario aims to:

Simplifies the introduction of innovative building materials and prefabricated systems approved at the federal level. If you share with third parties, their policies apply

: By adopting approximately 90% of the National Building Code's content, the 2024 OBC reduces regional regulatory burdens for developers operating in multiple provinces. Critical Transition Timelines

: Digital and printed copies of the 2024 Building Code Compendium can be accessed through Publications Ontario .

| Component | 2019 Code Cost | 2024 Code Cost | Delta | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Wall insulation (R-22 cont.) | $3.50/sq.ft | $6.00/sq.ft | +71% | | Windows (triple-pane req.) | $500 each | $800 each | +60% | | Blower door test | Not required | $500–$1,000 | New | | Sprinklers (per townhouse) | $2,500 | $5,000 (mandatory) | +100% |