As reported via Code News  in early October, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) has made amendments to the Ontario’s 2024 Building Code (OBC) with respect to sleeping area requirements for provincial adult correctional institutions, and with respect to the codification of combined treatment and dispersal sewage systems.

Sleeping Area Requirements for Provincial Adult Correctional Institutions

MMAH has amended the OBC to remove minimum sleeping area requirements as set out in Sentence 3.7.1.4.(1) of Division B for provincial adult correctional institutions. Other health, safety, and accessibility requirements for provincial adult correctional institutions remain unchanged.

Codification of Combined Treatment and Dispersal Systems

MMAH has amended Part 8 “Sewage Systems” of the OBC to incorporate design, construction, maintenance, and operational requirements for combined treatment and dispersal systems. The changes include new definitions, a new subsection establishing requirements for these systems, and updates to related design, leaching beds, and maintenance provisions. These changes will come into effect on January 1, 2027.

These changes are now included in an updated Ontario Amendment Document, which serves as the official document that contains the above changes. Members can email ontario.amendment.document@ontario.ca to obtain the Ontario Amendment Document.