Advocacy Update #21 - September 9, 2025

In this issue:

  • Strengthen Your Building Codes and Compliance Knowledge at Education Summit 2025
  • Call for Input: BC Code-Compliance Drawing Guide and Permit Templates

Strengthen Your Building Codes and Compliance Knowledge at Education Summit 2025
CHBA BC’s 2025 Education Summit is coming up October 8 - 9 in Richmond, bringing together builders, renovators, and industry experts for two days of workshops designed to help you stay ahead of the curve on regulatory and code requirements.
 
With a focus on building science, energy performance, and best practices for code compliance, attending the Summit is an ideal way to strengthen your professional knowledge while meeting your annual CPD requirements. Sessions will also cover new technical approaches shaping the industry and the practical impacts of provincial building code changes on your projects.
 
As the BC government introduces new regulations and targets, the Education Summit provides timely insight to ensure members are prepared and competitive.

 

Learn more and register here.

Call for Input: BC Code-Compliance Drawing Guide and Permit Templates

The Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs is developing province-wide drawing guidelines and standardized permits (see below). Your suggestions will be critical to informing the direction of these code compliance documents.


1. Province-Wide Permit Drawing Guide


The guide could include recommendations for:

  • Standardized sequence of a drawing layout

  • Standardized scale of a drawing layout

  • Standardized grid lines of a drawing layout

  • Standardized location of notes on drawing pages

  • Standardized location of calculations on drawing pages

  • More cross-referenced information on drawing sets (i.e., lateral design notes on floor plans, elevations, and cross-sections)

  • More drawing information related to mechanical systems (i.e., to ensure Step Code compliance)

Access the survey

 

2. Early access Mechanical Permit Draft

Preview the beta version here.

 

3. Early access Renovations & repairs, house additions & secondary suites conversion Permit Draft


Preview the beta version here.

 

Please email Technical Director, Pauline (pauline@chbabc.org) with any specific comments or concerns.

Prime Minister Carney launches new Major Projects Office to fast-track nation-building projects.

 

B.C. sets 2.3 per cent as the maximum allowable rent increase for 2026.

 

Townhouses are now almost impossible to build in Vancouver, says developer.

This newsletter is exclusive for Canadian Home Builders' Association of BC (CHBA BC) members. If a colleague would like to subscribe, please have them update their contact information with their local association. For questions, feel free to contact Jenny Scott, Director of Policy and Government Relations, or Pauline Rupp, Director of Technical and Building Innovation.

This email was sent on behalf of CHBA BC. 
To unsubscribe, click here
If you have questions or comments concerning this email, please contact info@chbabc.org.