Alternative Compliance Methods for Secondary Suites and Heritage Buildings

When constructing secondary suites in existing homes or renovating heritage buildings, the BC Building Code offers Alternative Compliance Methods. These are designed to address situations where existing construction makes it difficult to meet the standard requirements of Part 9 of the Code.

The Building Code is primarily written for new construction and often sets performance standards that exceed what is feasible in older buildings. Applying modern standards to these structures can be impractical, prohibitively expensive, or may compromise the historical integrity of heritage buildings.

Alternative Compliance Methods provide flexibility in areas such as:

  • Room heights
  • Door and stair dimensions
  • Exit exposure
  • Sound and fire-resistance assemblies
  • Fire-resistance ratings for structural elements supporting fire separations

Use of these methods is optional, not mandatory. For heritage buildings, these alternatives apply only to those listed on the Community Heritage Register.

Owners are encouraged to review the Alternative Compliance Methods early in the design phase of their project. If a proposed solution falls outside of Part 9 or the Alternative Compliance Method sections (1.1.1.1 (5) and (6)), owners may engage professionals—such as architects, structural engineers, or fire protection engineers—to develop alternative solutions not prescriptively permitted under the Code.

Regardless of the approach, any renovation, alteration, or change in occupancy must not reduce the existing level of life safety or building performance.

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