Québec Building Safety Regulations

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Québec Building Safety Regulations Overview

Québec is the only Canadian province with a province-wide regulatory framework requiring periodic façade inspections of existing buildings. Under the Building Chapter of the Québec Building Board (RBQ) Safety Code, owners of buildings 5 storeys or more must obtain a façade verification report from a licensed engineer or architect every 5 years, beginning no later than the 10th anniversary of construction.

The Building Act (CQLR, c. B-1.1), also known as Bill 122, has been in force since March 18, 2013 and includes fines for non-compliance. Building owners are responsible for ensuring inspections are performed and remedial work is completed. Multi-level parking structures are subject to separate but parallel requirements.

Source: RBQ Safety Code, Building Chapter; Building Act (CQLR, c. B-1.1)

Québec Building Safety Regulations at a Glance

Requirement

Applies To

First Inspection

Frequency

Professional Required

Façade Verification Report

Buildings of 5 or more storeys above ground falling within the occupancy categories covered by the RBQ Safety Code, Building Chapter (including residential, commercial, institutional, and co-ownership buildings)

By the 10th anniversary of construction

Every 5 years

Architect or engineer (OIQ or OAQ member)

Parking Structure Inspection

Underground or aboveground multistorey garages whose drivable portion is not laid directly on the ground

12 to 18 months after construction

Every 5 years

Professional engineer (OIQ member only)

Maintenance Register

All buildings subject to façade or parking structure requirements

At time of first inspection

Ongoing

Maintained by owner; available to RBQ on request

Bill 122: Requirements, Deadlines, and Dangerous Condition Protocol

Key Definitions Used

Building Height

  • A building with at least one façade of 5 storeys or more above ground, falling within the occupancy categories covered by the Building Chapter of the RBQ Safety Code
  • Applies regardless of construction year or age

Verification Report

  • A report signed by a licensed engineer or architect certifying that façades show no dangerous conditions
  • The physical examination must occur no earlier than 6 months before the report date

Qualified Professional for Façade Reports

  • A licensed architect (OAQ member) or licensed engineer (OIQ member)
    • OAQ: Order of Architects of Québec
    • OIQ: Order of Engineers of Québec

Qualified Professional for Parking Inspections

  • A licensed professional engineer (OIQ member) only
  • Architects are not qualified for parking structure inspections under Bill 122

Occupancy Categories

  • Residential multi-unit buildings, commercial buildings, institutional buildings, co-ownership (condominium) buildings, and heritage buildings meeting the applicable occupancy thresholds

Verification Report Requirements

  • Name, signature, and contact information of the professional who performed the inspection
  • Description of inspection methods and scope
  • Location and description of defects identified, and their probable causes
  • Assessment of connectors, ties, and anchoring systems
  • Summary confirming the absence of dangerous conditions, or recommendations for remedial work
  • Photographs and supporting documentation

The verification report must be filed in the building’s maintenance register and kept on the premises, available to the RBQ on request. The register must also contain the results of all periodic inspections, repair documentation, and any records relating to dangerous conditions.

Source: RBQ Safety Code, Building Chapter

Dangerous Condition Protocol

A ‘dangerous condition’ is any defect or situation that could compromise the safety of occupants or the public. The RBQ has authority to order emergency measures and compel remediation under the Building Act (CQLR, c. B-1.1). When a professional identifies a dangerous condition during an inspection, the following protocol applies to both façade and parking structure inspections.

Timeline

Trigger

Required Action

Immediate

Professional identifies dangerous condition

Must notify the building owner and the RBQ immediately

Immediate

Owner receives notification

Set up emergency safety measures and notify the RBQ immediately

Within 30 days

Owner files with RBQ

Complete RBQ ‘Reporting a Dangerous Condition’ form; provide written description of remedial action and completion schedule, subject to RBQ approval

Ongoing

Owner carries out remedial work

RBQ may order additional measures if remediation plan is deemed insufficient

Penalties and Consequences

Non-compliance with Bill 122

  • Fines and enforcement measures under the Building Act (CQLR, c. B-1.1), administered by the RBQ
  • The RBQ may order emergency measures and compel remediation at the owner’s expense if a dangerous condition is not addressed
  • Owners who fail to maintain the required register or obtain the required reports are subject to RBQ enforcement action
  • Civil liability exposure
    • Building owners have a duty of care toward occupants and the public
    • Failure to comply with mandatory inspection requirements is relevant to any liability claim arising from a façade or structural failure
  • Insurance implications
    • Carriers increasingly review inspection compliance records during policy renewal

Québec’s Bill 122 Deadlines are Tied to Your Building’s Construction Date

Rimkus’ licensed engineers and architects serve building owners, property managers, and condominium syndicates across Québec. Whether your inspection deadline is approaching or you need guidance on register and report requirements, the Rimkus Montreal team is ready to help.

How Rimkus Can Help

  • Façade verification inspections and reports under the RBQ Safety Code, Building Chapter
  • Parking structure inspections for multi-level structures with elevated concrete slabs
  • Maintenance register documentation and capital planning guidance
  • Dangerous condition assessment and emergency remediation support
  • Restoration design and repair specifications

Schedule a Québec Building Safety Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

Buildings of 5 or more storeys aboveground that fall within the occupancy categories covered by the Building Chapter of the RBQ Safety Code, regardless of construction year or age. This includes residential multi-unit buildings, commercial buildings, institutional buildings, co-ownership (condominium) buildings, and heritage buildings meeting the applicable occupancy thresholds. Source: RBQ Safety Code, Building Chapter; Building Act (CQLR, c. B-1.1).

No later than the 10th anniversary of the building’s construction. For example, a building constructed in 2010 required its first inspection by 2020. There is no grace period for buildings that have not yet been inspected. Source: RBQ Safety Code, Building Chapter; rbq.gouv.qc.ca.

Every 5 years following the initial inspection. The physical examination must be conducted no earlier than 6 months before the date of the verification report. Source: RBQ Safety Code, Building Chapter.

A licensed engineer (OIQ member) or licensed architect (OAQ member) for façade inspections. For parking structure inspections, only a licensed professional engineer (OIQ member) qualifies. Source: RBQ Safety Code, Building Chapter.

The professional’s name, signature, and contact information; description of inspection methods and scope; location and description of any defects and their probable causes; assessment of connectors and ties; a summary confirming no dangerous conditions or recommendations for remedial work; photographs and supporting documentation. The report must be kept on premises and available to the RBQ on request. Source: RBQ Safety Code, Building Chapter.

Yes. Underground or aboveground multistorey garages whose drivable portion is not laid directly on the ground require a first inspection between 12 and 18 months after construction, then every 5 years. Only a licensed professional engineer (OIQ member) can perform these inspections. Source: RBQ Safety Code, Building Chapter.

The professional must immediately notify both the building owner and the RBQ. The owner must set up emergency safety measures immediately and notify the RBQ. Within 30 days, the owner must file the RBQ ‘Reporting a Dangerous Condition’ form and provide a written description of remedial action and a completion schedule, subject to RBQ approval. Source: RBQ Safety Code, Building Chapter.

Yes. Rimkus’ licensed engineers and architects in Montreal perform façade verification inspections and parking structure inspections in compliance with the RBQ Safety Code. We prepare compliant verification reports, assist with maintenance register documentation, and provide repair and restoration guidance. Montreal office: +1 514 439 6465 | Toll free: +1 888 607 5245 | [email protected].

Need Help? Contact Rimkus

Bill 122 deadlines are tied to your building’s construction date and cannot be deferred. Rimkus’ Montreal engineers and architects are ready to assess your building, produce the required verification report, and help you stay ahead of your obligations under the RBQ Safety Code.

Schedule a Consultation

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978 Montee de Liesse
St-Laurent, Québec H4T 1W7, Canada

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