New Construction Laws
New and upcoming construction laws, building codes and regulations across Canada, and what each change means for owners, buyers, contractors, trades, workers, suppliers and designers. Every entry links to the official source.
32 changes
All changes
20 changes · page 2 of 2Quebec Construction Code Chapter I updated to NBC 2020 (modified Quebec)
In force since Apr 17, 2025
Quebec's Building chapter of the Construction Code was updated to the NBC 2020 (modified Quebec) effective April 17, 2025, with an 18-month transition period. Changes im…
Affects Owner Contractor Worker Designer
Nova Scotia adopts 2020 national codes with phased tiers
In force since Apr 1, 2025
Nova Scotia adopted the 2020 national building, plumbing and energy codes starting April 1, 2025, at Tier 1 for both the building and energy codes. The building code's T…
Affects Contractor Trade contractor Designer
Alberta OHS Code updates fully in effect (harassment and violence, explosives)
In force since Mar 31, 2025
Updated OHS Code provisions, including those on harassment and violence and on explosives, became fully effective March 31, 2025. Most changes are administrative, removi…
Affects Contractor Trade contractor Worker
GST/HST rebate of up to $50,000 for first-time buyers of new homes
In force since Mar 20, 2025
First-time buyers can get back all or part of the GST (or the federal part of the HST) on a new or substantially renovated home, up to $50,000. Per the CRA, purchase agr…
Affects Owner Homebuyer Contractor
BC Building Code 2024 seismic and adaptable-dwelling rules take effect
In force since Mar 10, 2025
New earthquake-design and adaptable-dwelling requirements apply to permit applications from March 10, 2025. Adaptable units are phased in, starting at 20% of units in la…
Affects Owner Homebuyer Contractor Trade contractor Supplier Designer
Encapsulated mass timber buildings allowed up to 18 storeys
In force since Jan 1, 2025
The regulation permits Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction up to 18 storeys, expands permitted occupancies and relaxes encapsulation requirements. It also carries forw…
Affects Owner Contractor Trade contractor Supplier Designer
2024 Ontario Building Code in effect (harmonized with NBC 2020)
In force since Jan 1, 2025
The new Ontario Building Code adopts the National Building Code 2020 with an Ontario Amendment Document, removing at least 1,730 technical variations. It took effect Jan…
Affects Owner Contractor Trade contractor Supplier Designer
Underused Housing Tax ended from the 2025 calendar year
In force since Jan 1, 2025
Bill C-15 received Royal Assent on March 26, 2026. Owners no longer file a UHT return or pay UHT for 2025 and later calendar years. Obligations for 2022 to 2024, includi…
Affects Owner Contractor
Plain-language summaries by ArtBuild, checked against the official source on the date shown on each page. This is general information, not legal advice, and you are responsible for how you use it. Laws change: always read the official text, and we recommend asking a lawyer or the regulator about your situation.