Whereas the Province of British Columbia has been implementing frequent and substantial updates to the BC Building Code to enhance safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility; And whereas local governments require sufficient time and resources to adapt to these changes, including training staff, updating bylaws, and supporting local builders and developers in compliance efforts; And whereas an accelerated pace of code revisions can create unintended challenges, including increased construction costs, delays in project approvals, and difficulties for smaller local governments with limited capacity to enforce new requirements effectively: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Province of British Columbia to implement a more measured approach to Building Code updates by ensuring: 1. Longer transition periods between code changes to allow for adequate training and implementation; 2. More extensive consultation with local governments, industry stakeholders, and Indigenous communities to assess the practical impacts of proposed changes; 3. Increased financial and technical support for local governments, especially smaller communities, to effectively adapt to new requirements; and 4. A focus on stability and predictability in the code update schedule to reduce uncertainty in the construction and development industry.
