Attention:  Nova Scotia Building Code Users/Stakeholders

November 21, 2016                                                                                                         The proposed regulations are available here

Re:  Proposed Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations

I am writing to give you formal notice of proposed amendments to the Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations pursuant to the Building Code Act, R.S. N.S. 1989, Chapter 46, which are expected to come into effect on or about April 1, 2017.

The proposed amendments are required due to the issuance of the 2015 editions of the National Building Code, National Plumbing Code and National Energy Code for Buildings being issued by Codes Canada.  In addition to the adoption of the 2015 Codes, these amendments are proposing to remove the Nova Scotia only provisions for sprinkler systems for buildings and use the requirements contained in the National Building Code.  This will align the requirements for sprinklers within Nova Scotia with the rest of Canada. 

Reorganization and improvements are also contained within Schedule “C” of the proposed regulation to increase accessibility and provide for adaptability within a residence should a need arise.  This is applicable to all newly constructed residential buildings.  There are no requirements to retrofit existing buildings. 

The proposed amendments have been vetted by the Nova Scotia Building Advisory Committee which is comprised of members representing the private sector building community such as the Nova Scotia Association of Architects, Engineers Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Home & Building Designers Association, the Nova Scotia Home Builders Association, the Construction Association of Nova Scotia, Urban Development Institute and the Interior Designers of Nova Scotia.  The committee includes representatives from interested public bodies such as the Disabled Persons Commission and the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities and regulatory bodies such as the Nova Scotia Building Officials Association and the Office of the Fire Marshal.

The representatives had an opportunity to review the proposed amendments and agreed that they should move forward.

The Building Code Act requires that the proposed amendments be circulated to each municipality and be made available to the public for a minimum period of 45 days.  A copy of the proposed replacement regulation has been attached and will soon be  available for inspection online at http://novascotia.ca/dma/firesafety/BuildingCode/ or at offices of Municipal Clerks or Building Inspectors.

Written comments on the proposed amendments to the regulations are welcome and should be forwarded on or before January 20, 2017 to:

Joe Rogers
Building Code Coordinator
P.O. Box 231
Halifax Central,
Halifax, Nova Scotia  B3J 3M4

If any questions should arise, I will address them and can be reached at (902) 424 8046 or OFM@novascotia.ca.

Joe Rogers,

Building Code Coordinator

 The proposed regulations are available here