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
| Jurisdiction | Building (NBC) | Fire (NFC) | Plumbing (NPC) | Energy (NECB) | Upcoming adoption/ enforcement |
| Yukon | 2020 edition (1) | 2020 edition (1) | 2020 edition (1) | Not adopted (3) | |
| Northwest Territories | 2015 edition (2) | 2015 edition (2) | Not adopted | Not adopted | Adoption of the NBC and NFC 2020 is expected in August 2024 |
| Nunavut | 2015 edition (2) | 2015 edition (2) | 2015 edition (2) | 2015 edition (2) | NFC and NPC 2020 adoption is being discussed, with an enforcement date not yet set in 2025. The NBC 2020 is expected to be adopted in September 2024, with an enforcement date of January 1st, 2025 |
| British Columbia | 2020 edition (1) 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 | 2020 edition (1) Effective March 8, 2024 | 2020 edition (1) Effective March 8, 2024 | 2020 edition (2)(4) Effective March 8, 2024 | Updated requirements for adaptable dwellings and earthquake will take effect March 10, 2025 |
| Alberta | 2020 edition (1) – Tier 1 Effective May 1st, 2024 | 2020 edition (1) Effective May 1st, 2024 | 2020 edition (2) Effective April 1st, 2023 | 2020 edition (2) – Tier 1 Effective May 1st, 2024 | |
| Saskatchewan | 2020 edition (1) (6) Tier 2 Effective January 1st, 2024 Tier 3 Effective January 1st, 2025. | 2020 edition (1) | 2020 edition (1) | 2020 edition (1) – Tier 1 | |
| Manitoba | 2020 edition (1) – Tier 1 Effective January 1, 2024 | 2020 edition (1) Effective January 1, 2024 | 2020 edition (1) Effective January 1, 2024 | 2020 edition (1) – Tier 1 Effective January 1, 2024 | |
| Ontario | 2015 edition (1) | Unique to Ontario (5) | 2015 edition (1) | 2015 edition (1) | Ontario adopted the 2020 editions of the NPC and the NBC, with variations, including requirements related to farm buildings. Both codes are expected to come into effect on January 1, 2025. Ontario Fire code will be adopting portions of the NFC 2020 with provincial variations, with an anticipated enforcement date in 2025. |
| Québec | 2015 edition (1) | 2010 edition (1) | (1) Effective July 11, 2024 | 2020 edition (1) Effective July 13, 2024 | The 2020 editions of the NBC and the NFC are expected to be adopted in fall 2024. |
| New Brunswick | 2015 edition (1) | 2015 edition (2) | 2015 edition (2) | 2011 edition (2) | |
| Prince Edward Island | (2) – Tier 1 Effective March 31, 2024 | 2020 edition (2) Effective March 31, 2024 | 2020 edition (2) Effective March 31, 2024 | 2020 edition (2) – Tier 1 Effective March 31, 2024 | |
| Nova Scotia | 2015 edition (1) | 2015 edition (1) | 2015 edition (1) | 2017 edition (1) | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 2020 edition (1) | 2020 edition (1) | Varies by municipality (7) | Adoption of the 2020 edition is under review |
- (1) Adopted with provincial/territorial variations
- (2) Adopted in full
- (3) The NECB 2020 is not currently recognized in Yukon regulations and only applies as stated in Article 9.36.1.3. of the NBC 2020.
- (4) British Columbia enforces an energy step code.
- (5) Portions of the Ontario Fire Code are being harmonized with the NFC 2020, with additional harmonization anticipated with the 2025 edition of the NFC.
- (6) Section 9.36. only applies to residential occupancies up to three storeys and 600 m2 or less.
- (7) The plumbing code is adopted at the municipal level.