In this section
Canada Building Codes: The NBC, Province by Province
Canada's National Building Code is adopted province by province, several of which publish their own derived codes. This hub tracks provincial adoption and the requirements you can calculate.
Which edition applies, by province & territory
- Alberta Adopted
- Current
- National Building Code — 2023 Alberta Edition
Alberta uses the National Building Code — 2023 Alberta Edition (in force 1 May 2024), which adopts NBC 2020. The Part 9 residential stair and guard figures match the NBC baseline.
- British Columbia Adopted
- Current
- BC Building Code 2024
British Columbia uses its own BC Building Code (BCBC 2024, effective 8 March 2024), adopting NBC 2020 with BC variations. The residential stair and guard figures match the NBC baseline.
- Manitoba Adopted
- Current
- Manitoba Building Code (NBC 2020)
In force 1 Jan 2024
- New Brunswick Adopted
- Current
- NBC 2020
In force 1 Apr 2025
- Newfoundland and Labrador Adopted
- Current
- NBC 2020
Adopted 28 Sep 2022; NBC 2025 transition possible
- Nova Scotia Adopted
- Current
- NS Building Code (NBC 2020)
In force 1 Apr 2025
- Northwest Territories Local
- Current
- NBC 2020 (by reference)
No standalone territorial code — NBC via fire regs + municipal by-laws
- Nunavut Adopted
- Current
- Building Code Act (NBC 2015)
In force 1 Sep 2018 — still on the 2015 edition
- Ontario Adopted
- Current
- Ontario Building Code (2024)
Ontario uses the 2024 Ontario Building Code (O. Reg. 163/24, in force 1 January 2025), which adopts NBC 2020 with Ontario amendments. The residential stair and guard figures match the NBC baseline.
- Prince Edward Island Adopted
- Current
- Building Codes Act (NBC edition TBC)
Province-wide; specific edition set by regulation — confirm locally
- Québec Transition
- Current
- Construction Code, Ch. I — NBC 2020 (modified)
Québec's Construction Code adopts NBC 2020 (modified Québec), in force since 17 April 2025 and mandatory from 17 October 2026 (NBC 2015 modified may still be used until then). The residential stair…
- Saskatchewan Adopted
- Current
- Construction Codes Act (NBC 2020)
In force 1 Jan 2024
- Yukon Adopted
- Current
- NBC 2020
Adopted by dynamic reference, ~Apr 2023
Adoption timing changes on government timelines — entries marked Verify are being confirmed with the relevant authority.
Rules by topic
The parts of the code a chippie actually sets out — each one in plain English, with the numbers and a calculator.
How the code works in Canada
Canada has one national rule book — the National Building Code (NBC). But here’s the catch: the NBC is a model code. On its own it has no legal force. It only becomes law when a province or territory adopts it — and most of them change bits when they do.
So the code that binds your job is your province’s code, not the national one. The NBC is just the starting point everyone works from.
Which code applies to me?
Start with where you’re building:
- Most provinces and territories adopt the NBC, often with their own tweaks on top. The figures on this site are the NBC 2020, Part 9.8 baseline (unchanged from NBC 2015).
- Ontario runs its own Ontario Building Code (OBC) — different numbering, some different figures.
- Québec runs its own construction code, built on the NBC but amended.
- British Columbia runs the BC Building Code (BCBC).
- Alberta runs its own edition of the code.
These provincial codes have their own numbering and can set some different figures. So before you set out, confirm the edition in force in your province — and check whether your province has changed the number you care about.