Legal Compliance Letters

May 1, 2024
Major Ontario Building Code Update Coming

CodeNews Issue 354 - Numéro 354 CodeNews:

Ontario has released a new Building Code to reduce regulatory burdens for the construction industry, increase the safety and quality of buildings, and make it easier to build housing. The 2024 Building Code streamlines processes for the building sector and increases harmonization with the National Construction Codes by eliminating at least 1,730 technical variations between the provincial and national requirements.

The updated 2024 Ontario Building Code (OBC) becomes effective for all ‘Complete’ Building Permit Submission received after Tuesday December 31, 2024, as such any submissions received by the City of Pickering prior to this date will be reviewed and processed under the 2012 Ontario Building Code. To ensure your application is deemed complete and in compliance, we recommend submission a minimum of 30 days before the end of the year (and holidays) to ensure that sufficient time is available to resubmit any additional information. The province has provided a three-month transition period that extends until March 31, 2025 for the Municipalities processing of complete permit applications already received prior to the December 31, 2024 deadline.

All Building Permit submissions including revisions received on or after January 1, 2025 will be reviewed under the 2024 Ontario Building Code (NBC & Ontario Amendments).

The links to the 2020 National Building Code (NBC) and the Ontario Amendment document that constitutes the entire new 2024 Ontario's Building Code can be found as follows:

• The Building Code Regulation on E-laws - Ontario Regulation 163/24
• The Ontario Amendment document  
• The National Building Code

Updates to the Ontario Building Code are available here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/building-code-updates

Certified Model (CM) Program:

Due to the significant changes to the Ontario Building Code, The City of Pickering is suspending the review of Certified Models submitted after October 1, 2024.

October 1, 2024:
Deadline for submission of Certified Models to be reviewed under the 2012 Ontario Building Code.

December 31, 2024:
Deadline for submission of CM Siting Building Permit Applications, utilizing a CM submitted prior to October 1, 2024.

January 1, 2025:
2024 Ontario Building Code will be used for all Certified Model or Permit Application Sitings submissions. 

March 2024
Intern Notification 

In response to the government’s More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 and changes to the Building Code Act, 1992 Pickering has created its own internship program for Building Officials under the guidance of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

The program has been designed to provide opportunities to those who have faced obstacles in obtaining the qualifications to become a building official. The program is in line with Standard Operating Procedure: Intern Inspector – Building Services.

We appreciate everyone’s interest in the program. To view current opportunities, please visit the City of Pickering’s career page.

For general questions, please contact Human Resources.

Effective June 28, 2023:
Online City Permit Application Portal is Live for Small Residential Building Permits. 

Visit mycity.pickering.ca

January 1, 2023
The Temporary Patio Program is closed

All requests for new, temporary or seasonal patios are now subject to review under standard Site Plan and Building Permit approval processes. Please contact our Planning Department at 905.420.4617 or citydev@pickering.ca for more information, or to speak to a Planner.

November 28, 2022 Bill 23:
New regulations for Additional Dwelling Units

View our Additional Dwelling Units (ADU) page

Effective January 1, 2022:
New OBC requirements including Stairs, Guards & Handrails

On January 1, 2022, changes to the Ontario Building Code (OBC) related to Stairs, Guards, & Handrails came into effect and may have significant impact to the construction and/or design of proposed projects or buildings.

Complete building permit applications and developer Certified Models with sitings, submitted for OBC review prior to Friday, December 31, 2021 will be reviewed and processed under the previous OBC provisions.  Applications received after Friday, December 31, 2021 will be reviewed under the new OBC provisions.

If you have any questions about this Code change, we encourage all applicants, designers, and developers to consult Building Services staff prior to submitting your application.