Section 1 BEFORE renumbered as 1 (1) by BC Reg 52/2017, effective February 28, 2017.
Definitions
1 In this regulation:
"Act" means the Building Act;
"cost-recoverable government employee" means a government employee for whom an hourly rate is prescribed in section 4.
Section 1 (1) definitions of "building code", "compliance decision", "heritage building", "plumbing code" and "protected heritage property" were added by BC Reg 52/2017, effective February 28, 2017.
Section 1 (2) was added by BC Reg 52/2017, effective February 28, 2017.
Section 1 definitions of "2012 Code" and "2018 code" were added by BC Reg 255/2019, effective December 12, 2019.
Section 1 definitions of "building code" and "plumbing code" BEFORE amended by BC Reg 255/2019, effective December 12, 2019.
"building code" means Book I (General) of the British Columbia Building Code established by the British Columbia Building Code Regulation, B.C. Reg. 264/2012;
"plumbing code" means Book II (Plumbing Systems) of the British Columbia Building Code established by the British Columbia Building Code Regulation;
Section 1 (2) BEFORE repealed by BC Reg 255/2019, effective December 12, 2019.
(2) In the Act and this regulation, "conform", in relation to the building code, means comply with the building code within the meaning of compliance with the building code described in Article 1.2.1.1. of Division A of the building code.
Section 1 (1) definition of "2024 code" was added by BC Reg 119/2024, effective May 28, 2024.
Section 1 (1) definition of "building code", paragraph (c) was added by BC Reg 119/2024, effective May 28, 2024.
Section 1 (1) definition of "plumbing code", paragraph (c) was added by BC Reg 119/2024, effective May 28, 2024.
Section 2 (b.2) BEFORE repealed by BC Reg 255/2019, effective December 12, 2019.
(b.2) in the case of a building in a flood plain designated under section 524 (2) [requirements in relation to flood plain areas] of the Local Government Act, setback from a watercourse, body of water or dike of any landfill or structural support required to elevate a floor system or pad above the flood level specified for the flood plain;
Section 2 (c.1) and (i) were added by BC Reg 255/2019, effective December 12, 2019.
Section 2.2 BEFORE re-enacted by BC Reg 31/2023, effective May 1, 2023.
Energy conservation unrestricted
2.2 (1) In this section, "local authority legislation", in respect of a local authority, means an enactment that authorizes the local authority to make bylaws or other enactments with respect to buildings and other structures.
(2) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, the following matters are unrestricted for the purposes of section 5 (4) [restrictions on local authority jurisdiction] of the Act:
(a) the conservation of energy;
(b) the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
(3) A local authority may enact, to the extent permitted by its local authority legislation, a local building requirement with respect to a matter referred to in subsection (2) subject to both of the following conditions:
(a) the local building requirement may not require buildings within the jurisdiction of the local authority to be constructed except in conformance with a Step described in Article 9.36.6.3. or 10.2.3.3. of Division B of the building code;
(b) the local building requirement may not modify a requirement of, or impose requirements in addition to those set out in, Subsection 9.36.6. or 10.2.3. of Division B of the building code.
[en. B.C. Reg. 139/2017, s. 1.]
Section 2.5 (2) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 119/2024, effective May 28, 2024.
(2) In this section, terms in italics have the same meaning as in Article 1.4.1.2. of Division A of the plumbing code.
Part 2 heading BEFORE repealed from after section 2.2 and re-enacted after section 2.5 by BC Reg 46/2021, effective February 25, 2021
Part 3, Divisions 1 to 5, sections 7 to 16 were enacted by BC Reg 52/2017, effective February 28, 2017.
Section 8 (1) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 119/2024, effective May 28, 2024.
(1) In this section, "professional engineer" has the same meaning as in section 1 (1) of the Engineers and Geoscientists Act.
Section 8 (2) (b) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 119/2024, effective May 28, 2024.
(b) holders of limited licences under the Engineers and Geoscientists Act whose scope of practice includes consulting on building regulations.
Section 9 (2) (b) and (c) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 255/2019, effective December 12, 2019.
(b) individuals retained as employees or independent contractors by a fire department of a local authority, or who are volunteers with a fire department of a local authority, if the individuals make compliance decisions only in relation to the fire prevention and response matters addressed in the following provisions of Division B of the building code:
(i) Sentence 3.2.3.1.(8) [limiting distance];
(ii) Subsection 3.2.4. [fire alarm and detection systems];
(iii) Subsection 3.2.5. [provisions for firefighting];
(iv) Subsection 3.2.6. [additional requirements for high buildings];
(v) Subsection 3.2.7. [lighting and emergency power systems];
(vi) Subsection 3.4.5. [exit signs];
(vii) Article 3.4.6.19. [floor numbering];
(viii) Clauses 6.2.1.4.(1)(a) and (c) [installation standards];
(ix) Article 6.2.1.5. [fireplaces];
(x) Article 6.2.2.7. [commercial cooking equipment];
(xi) Section 6.3. [chimneys and venting equipment];
(xii) Subsection 9.9.11. [signs];
(xiii) Article 9.9.12.2. [required lighting in egress facilities];
(xiv) Article 9.9.12.3. [emergency lighting];
(xv) Article 9.10.1.4. [items under Part 6 jurisdiction];
(xvi) Clauses 9.10.14.3.(1)(a) and (2)(b) [limiting distance and fire department response];
(xvii) Clauses 9.10.15.3.(1)(a) and (2)(b) [limiting distance and fire department response];
(xviii) Subsection 9.10.18. [alarm and detection systems];
(xix) Subsection 9.10.19. [smoke alarms];
(xx) Subsection 9.10.20. [firefighting];
(xxi) Article 9.10.21.7. [smoke detectors];
(xxii) Article 9.10.21.8. [portable fire extinguishers];
(xxiii) Article 9.10.21.9. [hose stations];
(xxiv) Clause 9.33.5.2.(1)(a) [installation of oil burning equipment];
(xxv) Clause 9.33.5.2.(1)(c) [installation of solid-fuel burning appliances and equipment];
(xxvi) Article 9.33.5.4. [fireplaces];
(xxvii) Subsection 9.33.10. [chimneys and venting equipment];
(c) individuals retained as employees or independent contractors by a local authority to act as a building official responsible for plumbing, if the individuals make compliance decisions only in relation to the fire suppression matters addressed in the following provisions of Division B of the building code:
(i) Article 3.2.5.7. [water supply];
(ii) Article 3.2.5.8. [standpipe systems];
(iii) Article 3.2.5.9. [standpipe system design];
(iv) Article 3.2.5.10. [hose connections];
(v) Article 3.2.5.11. [hose stations];
(vi) Article 3.2.5.12. [automatic sprinkler systems];
(vii) Article 3.2.5.13. [combustible sprinkler piping];
(viii) Article 3.2.5.14. [sprinklered service space];
(ix) Article 3.2.5.15. [fire department connections];
(x) Article 3.2.5.17. [protection from freezing];
Section 9 (2) (b) (ii) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 119/2024, effective May 28, 2024.
(ii) the provisions of Division B of Book I (General) of the 2018 code that are set out in Table 2 in Schedule 2;
Section 9 (2) (b) (iii) was added by BC Reg 119/2024, effective May 28, 2024.
Section 9 (2) (c) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 119/2024, effective May 28, 2024.
(c) individuals retained as employees or independent contractors by a local authority to act as a building official responsible for plumbing, if the individuals make compliance decisions only in relation to the fire suppression matters addressed in the provisions of Division B of Book I (General) of the 2012 code or 2018 code that are set out in Table 3 in Schedule 2.
Section 11 BEFORE amended by BC Reg 46/2021, effective February 25, 2021.
Classes of building officials
11 For the purposes of section 11 (2) (a) of the Act, the classes of building officials set out in Column 1 of a table in Schedule 1 are established with the scope of practice set out opposite in Column 2.
[en. B.C. Reg. 52/2017, App. 1, s. 4; am. B.C. Reg. 255/2019, s. 6.]
Section 16 BEFORE re-enacted by BC Reg 116/2017, effective April 1, 2017.
Criteria for fee-setting process
16 (1) The fee-setting process established by the administrative authority under section 17 (1) of the Act must be in accordance with subsection (2).
(2) Before setting a fee, the administrative authority must notify all local authorities of the fee 10 days before the fee is to take effect.
[en. B.C. Reg. 52/2017, App. 1, s. 4.]
Schedule, Table 1, Column 2, Line (d) (i) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 139/2017, effective April 7, 2017.
(i) is one storey in building height, and
Schedule, Table 2, Column 2, Line (e) (i) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 139/2017, effective April 7, 2017.
(i) is no more than 4 storeys in building height, and
Schedule 1, section 1 (1) definitions of "advanced plumbing system", "Part 3 building", "Part 9 building" and "separate basement" BEFORE amended by BC Reg 255/2019, effective December 12, 2019.
"advanced plumbing system" means a plumbing system that
(a) is used to drain or vent acid or corrosive wastes, or
(b) contains a bedpan washer, trade waste system, vent stack or yoke vent;
"Part 3 building" means a building other than a Part 9 building;
"Part 9 building" means a building, described in Article 1.3.3.3. of Division A of the building code, to which Part 9 of Division B of the building code applies;
"separate basement" means a basement that is a separate building from the building above it.
Schedule 1, section 1 (1) definitions "letter of assurance" and "specified grease interceptor" were added by BC Reg 255/2019, effective December 12, 2019.
Schedule 1, section 1 (2) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 255/2019, effective December 12, 2019.
(2) In the tables, the terms in italics have the same meaning as in the building code.
Schedule 1, section 1 (2) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 119/2024, effective May 28, 2024.
(2) In this Schedule, terms in italics have the same meaning as in Article 1.4.1.2. of Division A of the building code or plumbing code, as applicable.
Schedule 1, table 1 items "Building Level 1 — in Training", "Building Level 2 — in Training", "Building Level 2 — Professional Reliance" and "Building Level 3 — in Training" were added by BC Reg 255/2019, effective December 12, 2019.
Schedule 1, table 1 item "Building Level 3" BEFORE amended by BC Reg 255/2019, effective December 12, 2019.
| Building Level 3 | Conformance with the building regulations, other than the plumbing code, of a building. |
Schedule 1, table 1 item "Building Level 1", paragraph (b) (i) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 46/2021, effective February 25, 2021.
| (i) a dwelling unit above another dwelling unit, |
Schedule 1, table 1 item "Building Level 2 — Professional Reliance" BEFORE repealed by BC Reg 46/2021, effective February 25, 2021.
| Building Level 2 — Professional Reliance | Same as Building Level 2. In addition, if conformance is determined solely based on letters of assurance, (a) conformance with the plumbing code of a building, and (b) conformance with the building regulations, other than the plumbing code, of a Part 3 building. |
Schedule 1, table 1 item "Building Level 1", paragraph (a) BEFORE repealed by BC Reg 119/2024, effective May 28, 2024.
| Building Level 1 | (a) a Part 9 building classified as a Group C major occupancy that does not contain (i) more than 2 dwelling units, or (ii) a separate basement; |
Schedule 1, table 1 item "Building Level 1", paragraph (c) (i) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 119/2024, effective May 28, 2024.
| Building Level 1 | (i) is a detached garage, or accessory building, that serves a dwelling unit in a building described in paragraph (a) or (b), |
Schedule 1, table 2 item "plumbing Level 1" BEFORE amended by BC Reg 255/2019, effective December 12, 2019.
| Plumbing Level 1 | Conformance with the building regulations, as they relate to one or more of the following: (a) plumbing systems; (b) foundation drainage; (c) hydronic heating systems; of the following buildings: (d) a Part 9 building; (e) a new Part 3 building, other than a building classified as a Group B, Division 2 major occupancy, that (i) is no more than 4 storeys in building height, and (ii) does not contain an advanced plumbing system; (f) an existing Part 3 building, if the work does not involve (i) a change in occupancy to a Group B, Division 2 major occupancy, or (ii) the installation of a new advanced plumbing system. |
Schedule 1, table 2 items "Plumbing Level 1 — in Training", "Plumbing Level 1 — Professional Reliance" and "Plumbing Level 2 — in Training" were added by BC Reg 255/2019, effective December 12, 2019.
Schedule 1, table 2 item "Plumbing Level 1 — Professional Reliance" BEFORE repealed by BC Reg 46/2021, effective February 25, 2021.
| Plumbing Level 1 — Professional Reliance | Same as Plumbing Level 1. In addition, if conformance is determined solely based on letters of assurance, conformance with the plumbing code of a building. |
Schedule 2, table 2 heading BEFORE amended by BC Reg 119/2024, effective May 28, 2024.
| 2018 Code |
Schedule 2, table 2 item BEFORE amended by BC Reg 119/2024, effective May 28, 2024.
| Sentence 3.2.3.1.(8) [limiting distance] |
Schedule 2, table 2 items BEFORE stuck out by BC Reg 119/2024, effective May 28, 2024.
| Article 3.4.6.19. [floor numbering] |
| Article 6.2.1.5.(1)(b) and (c) [installation standards] |
| Article 6.3.1.7. [commercial cooking equipment] |
| Clause 9.33.5.2.(1)(b) [installation standards] |