CloseCodes and Regulations
All building in the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) must adhere to the BC Building Code and SCRD Bylaws.
Building Inspection Service Fee Increase
On December 12, 2024, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) Board of Directors adopted amendments to the fee schedules contained within SCRD Building Bylaw No. 687 and SCRD Plumbing Bylaw No. 400. Effective Jan 1, 2025, various service fees associated with building permits and service requests will increase.
The amended fee schedules can be viewed here.
Please contact the SCRD Building Division directly if you have any questions pertaining to the service fee increases.
2024 BC Building and Plumbing Codes
New editions of the BC Building Code (BCBC) and Plumbing Code (BCPC) have been adopted by the Province.
The 2024 BC Building and Plumbing Codes are now in effect as of Friday March 8, 2024 and have brought a number of changes for new building construction and building alteration permits. All building permit applications received are required to demonstrate compliance with the new regulations.
For more information about the new codes, click here. For a summary of the 2024 BC Building Code, click here.
Relevant Codes and Regulations
BC Energy Step Code
On May 1, 2023, the Province amended the BC Building Code, and raised the base energy efficiency for new buildings by 20%. Based on these changes:
- All buildings regulated by Part 9 of the BC Building Code containing residential occupancies, as defined by the BC Building Code, shall be designed and constructed to meet the minimum performance requirements specified in Step 3 of the Energy Step Code.
- All buildings regulated by Part 3 of the BC Building Code containing residential, business and personal services, or mercantile occupancies, as defined by the BC Building Code, shall be designed and constructed to meet the minimum performance requirements specified in Step 2 of the Energy Step Code.
ALC Regulations - Building in the ALR
Depending on the type of building or development project you are planning on undertaking, a Soil or Fill Notice of Intent (NOI) may be required through the ALC prior to the issuance of a Building Permit.
- Detached, auxiliary dwellings (additional / second dwellings),
- “Non-farm use” auxiliary buildings or structures,
- Constructing or maintaining either a farm use building OR a principal residence if the total area from which soil is removed, or on which fill is placed, is greater than 1,000 m², and
- Any other work not exempted by the ALR Use Regulation
A person who places fill or removes soil from land in the ALR without successfully having completed an Notice of Intent (NOI) or Soil or Fill Use Application, may be subject to a penalty or order to remediate the land or remove the unauthorized fill.
You can also check out this NOI requirements factsheet for further information.
If you require further clarification, please contact the ALC at alc.soil@gov.bc.ca or 236-468-3343.