Building Safety Month: Oakville celebrates 50 years of safety, standards, and progress

The town marks the golden anniversary of the Ontario Building Code

In May, the Town of Oakville is recognizing Building Safety Month and the 50th anniversary of the Ontario Building Code (OBC). 

The OBC was introduced in 1975 by the Ontario government to promote public safety through the application of uniform building standards. It established technical requirements for all building construction and demolition in Ontario and has evolved significantly since its introduction with major updates incorporating new technologies and safety standards.

Key changes to the OBC over the last 50 years have included: barrier-free accessibility requirements, enhanced fire safety measures, energy efficiency standards, and climate resilience measures, among other advancements.

Building officials enforce the building code, and ensure construction and renovation meet safety and quality standards. The increasingly complex role of building officials now includes: plan reviews, zoning compliance, fire and safety enforcement, and more.

As the town observes Building Safety Month, we acknowledge the evolution of the OBC, and its role in keeping communities safe.

If you have a building project planned for this year, before you begin, Building Services staff are reminding you to:

• Check regulations: Most construction and demolition projects in Oakville require a building permit to ensure they comply with the Ontario Building Code and the Town of Oakville’s Zoning By-law. This includes secondary units, additions, decks, pools, sheds, cabanas and gazebos.
• Ask for help: Town staff are here to assist property owners – reach out to them before beginning any work to ensure it is all done legally and doesn’t result in penalties. Contact ServiceOakville at service@oakville.ca or 905-845-6601. 
• Prepare for inspection: The town’s building officials enforce the OBC to ensure all construction meets requirements for fire safety, accessibility, structural sturdiness, and water and energy conservation. Property owners are required to book an inspection by the town.

In 2024, the Town of Oakville conducted 28,966 safety inspections, and issued 3,062 building permits with a construction value of $2.1 billion. So far, in 2025, approximately 537 building permits have been issued with 325 (applied for as of January 1, 2025) currently under review.

The town’s new ePlan online service has streamlined the building permit process through a system that combines an application’s intake, review and approval into a single platform. In addition, the town’s Building Services videos for planning a rental unit, additions and building projects are a quick and easy way for the community to learn more about Building Services, safety and permits. 

As we observe Building Safety Month this May, we acknowledge the evolution of the OBC over the last 50 years and its role in keeping Ontario safe. Learn more at the Ontario Building Officials Association website.

Background

• In the early days of building officials in Ontario, building enforcement was informal and handled by local by-law officers with little training. Without standardized codes, inspections were conducted based on basic safety concerns. With the introduction of the OBC, professional building inspectors became necessary, and their roles have evolved over time.