What changed in Alberta's building codes in 2026 for renovations and new homes

The 2023 Alberta building code

The National Building Code, 2023 Alberta Edition has applied since May 1, 2024. Permit applications submitted from that date are reviewed under the 2023 code; earlier applications stayed under the 2019 edition.

For additions and major renovations, the code that applies is generally the one in force when your permit application goes in, so the timing of an application can matter.

Energy efficiency and Tier 1

The code introduced tiered energy performance requirements. Alberta adopted Tier 1 as the provincial standard for new homes from May 1, 2024, and has not set a timeline for higher tiers. In practice that shapes insulation, windows, airtightness and mechanical choices on a custom home.

The 2024 Canadian Electrical Code

Electrical installations permitted in Alberta on or after April 1, 2025 must meet the 2024 Canadian Electrical Code. Work permitted earlier under the 2021 code stays compliant.

Hail-resistant construction is not yet required

After the August 2024 hailstorm, insurers have pushed for impact-resistant roofing and siding requirements in high-risk areas. As of 2026, Alberta has not added them to the building code. You can still choose Class 4 roofing and impact-resistant siding, and many Calgary homeowners now do.

New homes, warranty and owner-builders

• New homes must carry warranty coverage from a licensed builder, for up to 10 years on key components. Renovations don't require it, unless more than 75% of the finished home is new construction.
• Owner-builders can build with or without warranty. Since December 1, 2025, building without warranty puts a caveat on the land title, and the home can't be sold to consumers during the protection period.

What comes next with the 2025 National Building Code

The National Research Council published the 2025 edition of the National Building Code in December 2025. It is a model code, so it only becomes law in Alberta once the province adopts it, and Alberta has not yet said when that will happen or which parts it will take on. None of it applies to permits yet.

A few changes stand out for homeowners. The accessibility objective now covers all types of dwelling units, with room for each province to decide how far to apply it. New homes will need a passive radon stack, a vertical pipe that lets soil gas escape through the roof. The code also uses projected climate data for the next 50 years and adds a framework for the greenhouse gas emissions a home produces while it is lived in.

Much of this is written with new homes in mind, and it is not yet clear how it would apply to renovations. If you are planning a custom home or a large addition, it is worth asking which edition of the code your permit will fall under.

Why it matters when you hire

Codes change faster than most homeowners renovate. Kay2 prepares the drawings and permit applications for its projects, so the current Alberta codes are built into the design from the start. Ask us how the current rules apply to your project.