Building Bylaw Amendment Removes Section 28 (Fire Limits)
Nanaimo City Council passed an amendment to Building Bylaw 2016 No. 7224 removing Section 28 (Fire Limits), ending a local requirement that certain buildings be sprinklered beyond BC Building Code requirements. Building permits will now be reviewed under the provincial code alone.
On October 5, 2026, City Council gave fourth reading to an amendment to Building Bylaw 2016 No. 7224 removing Section 28 (Fire Limits).
Section 28 required sprinkler protection for certain buildings that would otherwise not have been required to be sprinklered under the BC Building Code. With the removal of Section 28, building permit applications will be reviewed based on the sprinkler requirements of the BC Building Code.
The amendment is now in effect.