Code and Standards Committee Update

The BSAO Code and Standards Committee is tracking several critical regulatory and industry standard changes for the first quarter of 2026. Members should review these updates to ensure ongoing compliance in specifications, contract administration, and project planning.

National Model Codes & Industry Standards

• Release of the 2025 National Model Codes: The newly published 2025 codes introduce:
  • Carbon and Energy Metrics: The updated codes introduce binding limits on operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and establish a new Energy Use Intensity (EUI) compliance model for building performance.
  • Mass Timber Allowances: The regulatory threshold for encapsulated mass timber structures has been officially expanded, permitting construction up to 18 storeys.
  • Universal Accessibility: Design mandates regarding accessibility have been broadened to encompass all classifications of dwelling units.
  • Retrofit Standards: New baseline energy efficiency criteria for existing building alterations have been implemented, providing building officials with a standardized regulatory framework to enforce compliance during retrofit projects.
  • Forward-Looking Climate Data: To address long-term environmental shifts, the code now integrates predictive climatic data that models anticipated weather trends over the next 50 years.

2026 Ontario Construction Act Amendments Major amendments to the Ontario Construction Act took effect on January 1, 2026, altering project administration protocols:

• Mandatory Annual Holdback Release: For multi-year contracts signed on or after January 1, 2026, owners are now required to release basic holdbacks annually on the contract's anniversary, provided a Notice of Annual Release is properly published.
• Expanded Adjudication Window: Adjudication rights now extend 90 days past project completion, abandonment, or termination, and the process explicitly covers contract performance and scope of work disputes.

Ontario Building Code (OBC) Administration

• Streamlined Approvals: The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) has posted a regulatory proposal intended to expedite development projects and simplify planning approvals within the City of Brampton's Downtown Special Policy Area.
• Permit Applications: As of February 16, 2026, all Ontario municipalities strictly require the submission of the newly updated provincial form for the Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish.
• OBC Examinations: MMAH is officially transitioning all Building Code examinations to the 2024 OBC framework starting March 30, 2026. Exam scheduling for the 2024 code is currently open for candidates.