On March 12, 2024 the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) Board adopted Building Bylaw No. 681. The bylaw has been updated to reflect changes to the 2024 BC Building Code (BCBC), Provincial legislation, including the BC Energy Step Code and construction industry standards, and includes increases to building permit fees and fines for properties being developed within the electoral areas.
Building Bylaw 681
Building Bylaw 681 was written in accordance with a model building bylaw specifically developed for regional districts by the Municipal Insurance Association of BC.
There are many changes to the bylaw. We encourage you to contact us with any question you may about how the changes could impact your current or future project.
Key changes include:
- Increased clarity surrounding when and what degree registered professionals are to be involved with construction projects.
- Engineer required for a dwelling unit bigger that 90m2
- Building permits for swimming pools have been removed as these requirements are not contained within the BC Building Code.
- Includes BC Building Codes mandate to comply with the BC Energy Step Code .
- Incorporation of BC Building Code requirements.
- Emission requirements noted for solid fuel fired appliances. Every Solid Fuel Burning Appliance must display a permanent label indicating that it has been tested to and meet the most recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standard for clean burning or CSAB415.10, as amended or replaced from time to time.
- Increase to building permit fees and fines .
- Expiration condition added to Building Permits.
The new BC Energy Step Code requirements came into effect May 1, 2023. The new BC Building code came into effect March 8, 2024. The new CVRD Building Bylaw 681 came into effect on March 12, 2024.