Should New Homes Have Maximum Indoor Temperature Limits?

Official title: Public review on proposed changes to the 2020 National Model Codes – Winter 2025

Closed Regulations & Permits Housing & Communities
Canada's building code board asked whether new homes should have a maximum indoor air temperature to prevent overheating. This would affect Parts 1, 6, and 9 of the National Building Code. The public review ran from January 20 to February 24, 2025, and is now closed.

Why This Matters

Buying a new condo or house? This could affect how comfortable it stays during heat waves. With summers getting hotter, overheating in homes is becoming a real health risk—especially for seniors and young children. New building rules could mean your next home stays cooler without cranking the AC.

What Could Change

The National Building Code could set a maximum indoor air temperature for new dwelling units. Builders might need to include better insulation, shading, or ventilation to meet the standard. The CBHCC will decide whether to approve, revise, defer, or withdraw this proposed change.

Key Issues

  • Should the building code set a maximum indoor air temperature for new homes?
  • Should this proposed change be approved, altered, or withdrawn?

How to Participate

  1. This consultation is now closed. Review the proposed change document and supporting documents to see what was proposed.

What Happened

The public review period has ended. The CBHCC will review all comments received and decide whether to approve the proposed change for publication, revise it, defer it for further development, or withdraw it.

Key Documents