September 19th 2024

B.C. grants in-stream protections to projects underway

Effective August 29, 2024, the Province has now provided in-stream projects with exemption from the adaptable dwelling and seismic requirements detailed in the 2024 British Columbia Building Code through an Order in Council. The minimum provisions of the 2018 British Columbia Building Code are to be applied to projects where:

1. Building Permit has been applied for before March 10, 2025,
2. Building Permit is applied for before March 8, 2027 that is part of a development permit application that was made before March 8, 2024,
3. Building Permit is applied for before March 8, 2027 that is part of a re-zoning application that was made before March 8, 2024, and
4. Building Permit is applied for before March 8, 2027 where drawings have been prepared for the building before March 8, 2024.

The Order allows Building Permits associated with development and re-zoning applications already submitted prior to March 8, 2024 to be applied for before March 8, 2027.

The Order also includes that where "drawings" have been prepared prior to March 8, 2024, that the application for the Building Permit is also extended to the March 8, 2027 date. While the Order defines the term "drawings" to mean prepared by a registered professional or ASTTBC member, it is not defined as to what "drawings have been prepared for the building" means. I can see a broad range of interpretation by building authorities for this provision, from a sketch done by the Architect with a date before March 8, 2024, to requiring full Architectural drawings with architectural seal dated prior to March 8, 2024.

gov.bc.ca  

BCAB #1925 - Interior Exit Corridor

Many common multi-tenant commercial and industrial building designs are two-storeys with suites located side-by-side, often with an office on the second storey above the commercial or industrial space. These spaces are popular with companies that sell and warehouse specialty products, are small custom manufacturers, and building trades. These spaces are often setup as a showroom in the front entry, admin office on the second storey, and warehousing or manufacturing in the rear of the first storey.

In the most straightforward Building Code compliant approach to these buildings, the 2nd storey office will have its own entry/exit door in the front face of the building in order to meet exit requirements from the 2nd storey. However, this is not always the desired design, or possible where the 2nd storey is added as a renovation to an existing building.

This appeal outlines a solution to allowing the 1st storey to share an exterior exit door with the 2nd storey by providing a small "exit corridor" with exit doors from both the 1st and 2nd storeys.

gov.bc.ca