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Related Bylaws and Regulations

Construction of new buildings, alterations or repairs to existing buildings, demolitions, and other site development involving buildings must comply with a multitude of regulations and bylaws. The below is a summary of the most common regulations and bylaws which development is expected to comply with, though is not a full listing of every regulation, bylaw, or code, which may affect development.

BRITISH COLUMBIA BUILDING CODE (BCBC) & Plumbing Code

The BC Building Code (BCBC) is a provincial regulation that governs the construction of new buildings, alterations & repairs to existing buildings, and demolitions are completed. The BCBC establishes minimal life safety, health, accessibility, fire, and energy requirements, and applies throughout the entire Province, with exemptions to lands under Federal jurisdiction, and the City of Vancouver.

The BCBC is freely available on the BC Codes website, and physical copies of the code can be purchased though the Kings Printers.

The 2024 Edition of the BCBC is now in effect. All permits submitted to the Building Division March 8th 2024 and onwards must comply with the new edition of the code.

ACCESS BC CODES ONLINE HERE

VIEW THE BCBC 2024 ONLINE HERE

 

NEW WESTMINSTER BUILDING BYLAW

The New Westminster Building Bylaw provides additional construction requirements, including sprinklering of buildings and construction of swimming pools. The Bylaw also regulates the application, and issuance of building permits, and the conducting of site inspections throughout construction.

ACCESS BUILDING BYLAW HERE

 

NEW WESTMINSTER ZONING BYLAW

The New Westminster Zoning Bylaw establishes requirements such as the types of uses permitted on a property, allowed density, building size and massing, and parking requirements.

ACCESS ZONING BYLAW HERE

 

BC ENERGY STEP CODE (BCESC)

The BC Energy Step Code is a compliance path within the BCBC, which the City of New Westminster has adopted to require a higher level of energy efficiency that is above the minimum prescribe requirements of the Building Code. BCESC requirements for new construction may include the involvement of a Certified Energy Advisor, completion of compliance forms for applications and inspections, and conducting blower door tests throughout construction. Please visit the Energy Save New West website for more information.

BC ENERGY STEP CODE INFORMATION AVAILABLE HERE

 

PART 9 ENERGY COMPLIANCE TOOLS AVAILABLE HERE

 

BC SOLAR HOT WATER READY REGULATIONS

The City of New Westminster has adopted the Provincial Solar Hot Water Ready Regulation (BC. 101/2011) for all single detached dwellings and detached accessory dwellings. 

Requirements of this regulation include;

  • two (2) conduit runs to an area on the roof with an area of not less than 9.3 sq. meters, and has no dimension less than 2.7 meters, to accommodate the future installation of a solar domestic hot water heating system in compliance with CAN/CSA-F383-87.
  • Conduit runs must be accessible on both ends, capped and sealed to prevent air and water leakage, be identifiable by permanent markings, and have a minimum diameter of 50 mm. 
  • Structural roof members / roof trusses must be designed to accommodate a uniform dead load of 0.24 kPa, in addition to design loads required by the BCBC, and anticipated point loads.

For more information, please refer to the Provincial notices linked below;

OTHER RELATED REGULATIONS

Other related building regulations, policies, and bylaws which a development may be required to comply to include, but are not limited to;