Accessible and adaptable housing provides necessary inclusive housing for those with mobility challenges.
Prior to the 2024 BC Building Code, adaptable housing design was voluntary unless municipalities adopted requirements through their zoning bylaw provisions or through adaptable housing policies applicable within their jurisdictions.
In effect from March 10, 2025, all single-storey dwelling units served by a common accessible interior corridor (e.g., apartments) will have to comply with the adaptable unit provisions in the 2024 BC Building Code. This aligns with the vision of the Accessible Canada Act (2019) to make Canada barrier-free by 2040. It opens the options of where people can live without restricting them to accessible supportive housing, encourages independent living and multigenerational homes, and prepares for the physical needs of an aging population.
What is an adaptable dwelling unit?
The 2024 Building Code defines an adaptable dwelling unit as “a dwelling unit designed and constructed with some accessible features, and which accommodates the future modification to provide more accessible features.” This means that the elements and features of a building that are impractical or impossible to renovate are taken into consideration at the initial time of construction to accommodate occupants’ physical accessibility needs and preferences over one’s life cycle and lifetime of the building. For example, structural walls, plumbing, and electrical systems, would need to be located and designed upfront for accessibility to minimize expensive or impossible renovations at a later stage.
Dwelling units with more than one bedroom or bathroom are only required to designate one of each to be adaptable. The path of travel serving the adaptable bedroom and adaptable bathroom is required to be connected to the unit entry/exit door, a living space, and an adaptable kitchen.
While adaptability requirements are currently not mandatory in ground-oriented homes (e.g., single detached or duplex), it is highly encouraged. Having accessible-ready housing, regardless of type, would provide thriving spaces for all, and enable older adults greater opportunities to age in the neighborhoods they are already familiar with.
In-Stream Protections
The Province has granted in-stream protection for projects that meet exemption requirements if a building permit application is made before March 8, 2027.
For more information, review our In-Stream Protection for
Adaptable Unit Provisions information sheet.
Information Sheet: In-Stream Protection for Adaptable Unit Provisions