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 |
Adopted with territorial variations |
For Yukon to provide enforcement dates for 2020 codes |
Not applicable |
| Fire (NFC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with territorial variations |
For Yukon to provide enforcement dates for 2020 codes |
Not applicable |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with territorial variations |
For Yukon to provide enforcement dates for 2020 codes |
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) |
2015 edition |
Adopted in full |
For Northwest Territories to provide enforcement dates as applicable |
Adoption of the NBC 2020 is expected on October 1st, 2024 |
| Fire (NFC) |
2015 edition |
Adopted in full |
For Northwest Territories to provide enforcement dates as applicable |
Adoption of the NFC 2020 is expected in August 2024 |
| 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 |
The NBC 2020 is expected to be adopted in September 2024, with an enforcement date of January 1st, 2025 |
| Fire (NFC) |
2015 edition |
Adopted in full |
September 8, 2018 |
The NFC 2020 is expected to be adopted in September 2024, with an enforcement date of January 1st, 2025 |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2015 edition |
Adopted in full |
September 8, 2018 |
The NPC 2020 is expected to be adopted in September 2024, with an enforcement date of January 1st, 2025 |
| Energy (NECB) |
2015 edition |
Adopted in full |
Adoption and enforcement dates of the NECB 2020 are to be confirmed |
The NECB 2020 is expected to be adopted in September 2024, with an enforcement date of January 1st, 2025 |
| 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 |
Effective 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 |
Effective March 8, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
Effective March 8, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Energy (NECB) |
2020 edition* |
Adopted in full* |
Effective 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 |
Effective May 1st, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Fire (NFC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
Effective May 1st, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted in full |
Effective April 1st, 2023 |
Not applicable |
| Energy (NECB) |
2020 edition, Energy Performance Tier 1 |
Adopted in full |
Effective 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 |
Effective January 1st, 2024 |
Energy Performance Tier 3 will be effective January 1st, 2025 |
| Fire (NFC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
For Saskatchewan to provide enforcement dates for NFC, NPC and NECB 2020 |
Not applicable |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
For Saskatchewan to provide enforcement dates for NFC, NPC and NECB 2020 |
Not applicable |
| Energy (NECB) |
2020 edition, Energy Performance Tier 1 |
Adopted with provincial variations |
For Saskatchewan to provide enforcement dates for NFC, NPC and NECB 2020 |
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 |
Effective January 1, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Fire (NFC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
Effective January 1, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
Effective January 1, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Energy (NECB) |
2020 edition, Energy Performance Tier 1 |
Adopted with provincial variations |
Effective January 1, 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 |
Not applicable |
Ontario adopted the 2020 edition of the NBC, with variations, including requirements related to farm buildings, with an anticipated enforcement date of January 1st, 2025. |
| Fire (NFC) |
Unique to Ontario |
Adopted with provincial variations |
Not applicable |
Ontario Fire code will be adopting portions of the NFC 2020 with provincial variations, with an anticipated enforcement date in 2025. |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2015 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
Not applicable |
Ontario adopted the 2020 edition of the NPC. The next edition of the provincial code is expected to come into effect on January 1, 2025. |
| Energy (NECB) |
2015 edition, Energy Performance Tier 1 |
Adopted with provincial variations |
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 with provincial variations |
Québec, svp fournir les dates d’entrée en vigueur du CNB et du CNPI si connues. |
The 2020 edition of the NBC is expected to be adopted in fall 2024 |
| Fire (NFC) |
2010 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
Québec, svp fournir les dates d’entrée en vigueur du CNB et du CNPI si connues. |
The 2020 edition of the NFC is expected to be adopted in fall 2024 |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
Effective July 11, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Energy (NECB) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
Effective 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 1, 2021 |
Not applicable |
| Fire (NFC) |
2015 edition |
Adopted in full |
February 1, 2021 |
Not applicable |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2015 edition |
Adopted in full |
February 1, 2021 |
Not applicable |
| Energy (NECB) |
2011 edition |
Adopted in full |
February 1, 2021 |
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 |
Adopted in full |
Effective March 31, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Fire (NFC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted in full |
Effective March 31, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted in full |
Effective March 31, 2024 |
Not applicable |
| Energy (NECB) |
2020 edition, Energy Performance Tier 1 |
Adopted in full |
Effective 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 |
Effective April 1, 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 |
Effective April 1, 2017 |
Not applicable |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
2015 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
Effective May 1, 2017 |
The 2020 edition of the NPC will be effective April 1, 2025 |
| Energy (NECB) |
2017 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
Effective April 1, 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 |
For Newfoundland and Labrador to provide enforcement dates as applicable |
Anticipated adoption |
| Fire (NFC) |
2020 edition |
Adopted with provincial variations |
For Newfoundland and Labrador to provide enforcement dates as applicable |
Not applicable |
| Plumbing (NPC) |
???? edition |
Varies by municipality; the NPC is adopted at the municipal level. |
???? |
???????? |
| Energy (NECB) |
Not adopted |
Not applicable |
?????? |
Adoption of the NECB 2020 is under review |
