If your last construction project was more than a couple of years ago, the code your builder is working under today isn’t the one you remember. Manitoba’s building, plumbing, energy, and electrical codes have all been updated recently, and another round of changes is already on the way.
Where Things Stand Right Now
Since January 1, 2024, new construction in Manitoba has been governed by the 2020 national model codes, including the Manitoba Energy Code for Buildings (MECB). On the energy side, Manitoba adopted “Tier 1” performance — roughly a 20% efficiency improvement over the previous standard for large and complex buildings. The 2020 code cycle also introduced technical requirements for large farm buildings, updated accessibility rules, and opened the door to encapsulated mass timber construction up to 12 storeys.
More recently, the 2024 edition of the Canadian Electrical Code came into force in Manitoba this past April.
What’s Coming Next
The National Research Council published the newest editions of the national model construction codes — building, plumbing, energy, and fire — this past December. Manitoba now has up to 18 months to review, consult on, and adopt them provincially. An exact effective date hasn’t been set yet, but owners with projects on the horizon should expect another shift in requirements before their build reaches permitting.
Why This Matters for Your Project Timeline
Codes aren’t adopted the moment they’re published — there’s a consultation window, and permits are typically evaluated against whichever code version was in force when the application was submitted. That timing detail can matter a lot:
- Submitting before a new code takes effect may let you build to current requirements rather than a stricter upcoming standard.
- Energy performance tiers are structured to escalate over time — some provinces are already building past Tier 1 voluntarily, anticipating where the baseline is headed.
- Mechanical, electrical, and envelope requirements tend to see the most frequent updates, which affects HVAC sizing, insulation specs, and lighting design on every new project.
The Practical Takeaway
Code compliance isn’t just a permitting checkbox — it shapes material choices, mechanical system sizing, and sometimes overall project cost. An experienced builder tracks these changes as a matter of course, but if you’re planning a project in the next 12–18 months, it’s worth asking your contractor directly which code cycle your project will be designed and permitted under.
Have a project on the horizon? Three Way Builders designs and builds to current Manitoba code across industrial, institutional, commercial, and residential projects — and keeps a close eye on what’s coming next so your project isn’t caught off guard.