Ontario's newly updated Building Code represents a significant modernization of construction standards in the province, with implications for housing supply, affordability, and sustainability.
Mass Timber: From 12 to 18 Storeys
The most headline-grabbing change is the increase in the maximum height for mass timber buildings from 12 to 18 storeys. Mass timber (engineered wood products like cross-laminated timber) offers several advantages over traditional steel and concrete construction:
- Faster construction: Mass timber components are prefabricated off-site, reducing construction timelines by 20-30%
- Lower carbon footprint: Wood sequesters carbon, and mass timber buildings produce significantly fewer emissions than concrete and steel
- Cost-competitive: Reduced construction time and labour requirements can lower overall project costs
- More units per site: The increase to 18 storeys means more housing units can be built on a single plot of land
Harmonization with National Codes
The new Ontario Building Code moves toward 80% harmonization with the National Building Code. This reduces complexity for developers working across provincial borders and streamlines the approval process for innovative building systems that have already been approved nationally.
Streamlined Processes
Beyond mass timber, the updated code includes numerous process improvements that reduce the time and cost of obtaining building permits. Simplified requirements for common residential building types (low-rise, mid-rise) aim to accelerate the permitting timeline.
Impact on Housing Supply
These Building Code changes work in concert with Ontario's Bill 60 and the government's 1.5 million homes target. By allowing more innovative construction methods and reducing regulatory barriers, the province is creating conditions for faster, more cost-effective housing delivery.
For buyers, this means more housing options coming to market in the medium term, including innovative building types that combine sustainability with livability.