Overview

The 2023 Code will include new sections on energy efficiency, including the energy tiers, based on the 2020 National Building Code, which was published in March 2022. Following the recommendations of BILD Alberta and the Safety Codes Council, the Government of Alberta has adopted Tier 1 province-wide.

A builder, developer or customer may choose to build to a higher tier, but local authorities cannot require or order a builder to construct to a tier higher than Tier 1. In addition, the Government of Alberta recently announced proposed changes to City Charter Regulations to ensure energy efficiency requirements for buildings, including tiered energy codes, can only be established by the province and remain uniform across Alberta. These changes are the result of years of advocacy, education and engagement by BILD Alberta. 

Transition Period 

There is a transition period to allow industry, municipalities and other authorities the time to prepare for the new code changes. For this code transition period, Municipal Affairs has provided additional flexibility and time for when building projects can continue under the 2019 Code prior to the May 1, 2024 implementation date.

Municipalities and other authorities having jurisdiction may restrict building permit applications to the 2019 Code and the NECB 2017 and other administration activities until May 1, 2024. 

After May 1, 2024, the following transition conditions apply:

Resources and Education

• The Government of Alberta will release a comparison document of the changes between the 2019 and the 2023 Alberta editions of the national building code, to inform industry on the new requirements. This comparison document is expected to be published in mid-February 2024 beginning with Part 9 for housing and small buildings.

• BILD Alberta will be hosting a webinar in partnership with Municipal Affairs to educate the industry on what they can expect and highlight details of the upcoming code changes. Further information regarding attendance and participation will be provided to members when details are confirmed.

• BILD Alberta’s Provincial Residential Technical Committee, will be reviewing the comparison document and will create a separate resource summarizing the changes and requirements.

• Additional education and resources will be provided on any items flagged as having significant impacts on design or construction.



•  BILD Alberta has partnered with the Professional Home Builders Institute and the Safety Codes Council to create a video education series that will include six on-demand videos, describing the requirements of the National Building Code - 2023 Alberta Edition. These videos will also include discussions of the non-mandatory higher tiers and will be released over the next year, with the initial introduction video planned to be released in March 2024.

Questions regarding the 2023 Alberta Building Code Publication and Implementation

may be directed to Building and Climate Policy Coordinator, Rachelle Patterson.