Government of British Columbia announces free access to online building codes

On August 14, 2019, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills, and Training Melanie Mark and Minister of Citizens' Services Jinny Sims announced that online access to the BC Codes will now be free of charge. CHBA BC was pleased to be invited to the announcement at the BCIT Campus in Burnaby, as residential home builders reference the BC Codes as part of their everyday work.

This change follows the federal government, that removed fees as of April 1, 2019, from electronic versions of the National Building Code of Canada. CHBA advocated for free access to codes for many years, to facilitate greater access to these integral documents.

In addition, the government announced $2.5 million in funding to refund anyone who bought a copy of the code on or after September 5, 2018. This will impact approximately 5,000 people. Those with an online subscription of the code will receive a full refund, and those who purchased a printed copy will receive a partial refund. The refund cheques will be mailed out in the next four to six weeks.

In the future, in addition to the free online copies, those who prefer printed copies can access the documents at a reduced rate.

Learn more about the government announcement here.  

       

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