Actions tracking

Review the Building Code to determine if a small business lens can be applied

Status: Action tracking

What we heard

The Building Code for food manufacturers has too many rules and applies to both small and large companies. This creates undue burdens for smaller businesses.

Our plan

Ontario’s Building Code establishes the standards for construction to minimize the risk to the health and safety of the public, align with accessibility requirements, and promote water and energy conservation. Building Code construction requirements can differ depending on the size of the building and the proposed use of the building.

Building Code regulation of on-site sewage systems supports public health and environmental integrity. Building Code requirements are created to require the design, construction and operation of septic systems to help ensure septic systems do not cause contamination and/or degradation of water resources and pose a risk to public health and the environment.

The Building Code allows compliance in two ways: compliance with acceptable solutions in Division B of the Building Code (e.g. prescriptive requirements) or through using alternative solutions. An alternative solution is a design solution that differs from the prescriptive requirements yet complies with the stated objectives of the Building Code and meets the level of performance required by the Building Code. An application for an alternative solution may be made to the local principal authority (e.g. municipality, board of health, conservation authority) and should be accompanied by evidence demonstrating compliance with the objectives and performance level.