Ontario to Amend Its Building Code to Permit Mass Timber Construction Up to 18 Stories

Ontario intends to amend its building code in the coming months to permit encapsulated mass timber construction up to 18 stories, an increase from the current 12 stories, the Daily Commercial News by ConstructConnect reported on Monday.

In a news release the province stated that expanding the use of mass timber would help build homes more quickly and more quietly and reduce construction times “with the same fire and structural protection as other building methods.”

Provincial initiatives that support advanced wood construction, such as Ontario’s Forest Sector Strategy, promote initiatives to shift housing construction offsite, “supporting more efficient and rapid construction from renewable forestry resources,” the release added.

In January and February, Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec participated in a national consultation on potential building code changes that would allow for expanded use of mass timber in the province.

In remarks accompanying the announcement, Ontario Forest Industries Association CEO Ian Dunn said:

“The Ontario Forest Industries Association applauds the government’s decision to expand the use of advanced wood construction, like mass timber, allowing for buildings up to 18 stories. This move will not only accelerate home construction and reduce costs but also support forestry, technology, engineering, and manufacturing sectors.”