Area for input: Unrestricted matters
Unrestricted matters, which are matters regulated in the BC Building Code (or other provincial building regulations) for which local governments have the authority to set their own technical building requirements in bylaws.
Whistler can determine which (if any) of the following unrestricted matters are applicable and should be included in the building bylaw:
* denotes a temporary unrestricted matter
| Unrestricted matters | Inclusion/exclusion rationale |
|---|---|
| Fire access route
design Fire access route
design refers to requirements that ensure that emergency response vehicles like
fire trucks can use a roadway or yard to reach a building. The BC Building Code
provides requirements for fire access route design for Part 3 (complex)
buildings and Part 9 (small residential and commercial) buildings. | Proposed to include There are properties
in Whistler where fire access is challenging with steepness and topography. Whistler Fire Rescue
Service may wish to specify requirements related to local topography in the
building bylaw to address access concerns. |
| Parking spaces for
use by persons with disabilities This allows local governments to define additional requirements in the building bylaw to add more parking spaces designated for persons with disabilities. | Proposed to exclude This is included in Whistler’s current zoning and parking bylaw and will be addressed in BC Building Code updates related to accessibility and adaptability, which come into effect in March 2025. Staff do not believe it is necessary to go above and beyond with this requirement. |
District energy
systems and connections District energy
systems produce centralized heating or cooling and typically serve a
neighbourhood or community rather than a single building. While the system
itself is external to the building, there may be a need for requirements related
to the building’s internal mechanical systems. | Proposed to exclude This is covered in Whistler’s engineering bylaw and takes place at a subdivision level. Whistler’s only district energy system is in the Cheakamus Crossing neighbourhood. Whistler does not need additional district energy system requirements in the building bylaw. |
Protection of
designated heritage properties | Proposed to exclude This is not applicable, as Whistler does not have heritage designations for buildings. |
| Backflow prevention device testing Many local authorities have bylaws requiring the installation of water meters between the public infrastructure and service connection to a building. Water meters installed within the public right of way are not subject to the BC Building Code; however, meters installed on private property or inside buildings to prevent frost damage in colder climates are considered part of the plumbing infrastructure for the purposes of the Code. The only requirement in the Code for water meters is that they be installed by a qualified plumber. This requirement prevented local governments from using their public works department to install water meters on private property. For these reasons, local building requirements for the installation of water meters on private property are unrestricted. | Proposed to exclude Whistler has a backflow prevention program administered by Engineering, and a cross-connection bylaw, which involves the Building team. Whistler does not need additional backflow prevention requirements in the building bylaw. |
| Electric vehicle charging stations/ plug-ins This concerns the number, location, and type of charging stations (and related matters such as signage) required in a building or facility to charge electric vehicles that use the building for parking. This includes wiring or pre-ducting for electric vehicle plug-ins. | Proposed to exclude Whistler’s zoning (land use) bylaw specifies what is required. It makes more sense to consider this requirement during subdivision or rezoning. The RMOW’s Environmental team has confirmed that with emerging technology adoption, Whistler does not need additional electric vehicle charging station/ plug-in requirements in the building bylaw. |
Screening equipment
on roofs or other structures This refers to
materials placed on rooftops to screen or mask the appearance of equipment that
may be considered unattractive, such as HVAC units, chillers or condensers
(when such screening does not affect their performance). | Proposed to exclude This is most
applicable to industrial zones and potentially mixed residential and industrial
areas, which are not prevalent in Whistler. |
| Noise mitigation/ transmission of sound into a building from external sources* While the BC Building Code does not have specific requirements to minimize sound from external sources, such as airports, transportation corridors or industrial uses, it does have requirements to minimize sound transfer between spaces within a building. If residential development occurs near high-noise areas, noise reductions requirements may be necessary to ensure the health of occupants. As this matter could be slated for future Code development or be the subject of a request for variation, it is temporarily unrestricted. | Proposed to exclude This is intended for
large industrial areas or airports (for example cities like Richmond) and
is not applicable to Whistler. |
| In-building radio repeaters* In-building radio repeaters are intended to enhance radio communications within buildings. Some local governments have a requirement for this in their bylaws to support the safety of emergency responders. Although the BC Building Code does not have a specific requirement for in-building radio repeaters, voice communication for emergency responders is a matter addressed in the Code. Local governments may wish to request a variation for in-building radio repeaters, so this matter is temporarily unrestricted. | Proposed to exclude It makes more sense to include this requirement in a fire regulation bylaw developed by the Fire team. |
Wildfire hazard requirements* Local governments can establish requirements for the exterior design and finish of buildings for wildfire hazard management within a development permit area. Such requirements typically relate to matters regulated in the BC Building Code, such as cladding or the use of non-combustible materials.Revisions to the Code to include requirements to minimize the spread of wildfire are being considered. This matter is temporarily unrestricted. | Proposed for consideration These are additional items to consider in terms of preparing for wildfires and making Whistler more FireSmart. It might make more sense to include these requirements in the zoning bylaw with the wildfire development permit area requirements. The RMOW is seeking feedback from the community to inform the best approach for this. |
| Firefighting water supply requirements * The BC Building Code requires that an adequate water supply for firefighting be readily available with sufficient volume and pressure to prevent fires from spreading. Three standards are referenced in the BC Building Code to calculate an adequate water supply, but these standards are not technical building requirements. Designers of buildings that do not have sprinklers or standpipe systems may need additional guidance from local governments to ensure fire flow is adequate. Temporarily unrestricting this matter allows local governments to continue to provide specific requirements by bylaw for buildings not described in the Code, until this matter has received further review. | Proposed to include The Fire and Engineering teams will be including specifications for water supply calculations in the building bylaw. |
| Fire sprinkler
suppression * Currently, around 30 local governments in B.C. have bylaws that include fire sprinkler requirements that vary from those in the BC Building Code, and other local governments have expressed an interest in establishing similar requirements. A provincial working
group has recommended creating a provincial fire sprinkler regulation, which is
currently under review. | Proposed to exclude Whistler currently has several subdivisions with a covenant on title that requires fire sprinklers. Whistler does not need additional fire sprinkler requirements included in the building bylaw |
| Accessibility and adaptable design requirements* The BC Building Code requires most public buildings and the public areas of multi-unit residential buildings to have a minimum level of accessibility. The Code also contains requirements for the design and construction of adaptable dwelling units, which include features that can later be modified to improve accessibility for minimal cost to meet the changing needs of occupants. Several local governments have enacted technical building requirements for accessible and adaptable dwelling units that exceed the requirements in the Code. Some local governments have also applied the existing Code requirements for adaptable dwelling units to buildings other than those referenced in the Code. The Province is working with local governments and other interested parties to develop consistent accessibility and adaptability requirements that go beyond the current minimum requirements in the Code. These matters are temporarily unrestricted. | Proposed to exclude The 2024 BC Building Code, which comes into effect in March 2025, includes new accessibility and adaptability requirements. Staff do not see a need currently to go above and beyond the Code requirements. |
