Building Envelope Renovations

The Building Envelope Renovation Regulation defines a building envelope renovation as construction work on a residential building:

  • To repair defects in the building envelope that allow unintended water penetration, or
  • To repair damage caused by unintended water penetration

This means fixing problems that let water into the building or repairing damage caused by water getting in. It usually involves exterior components such as walls, windows, doors, and roofs—the barrier between the inside and the elements.

Licence requirements

If your renovation meets the criteria in the regulation, you must:

  • Be licensed as a Building Envelope Renovator (BER)
  • Have home warranty insurance in place before work begins

These requirements apply only when your renovation should meet all the following conditions:

  • Affects 60% or more of any cladding surface (on the entire building or one face)
  • Costs $10,000 or more, or $2,000 per unit in multi-unit buildings

Common exemptions

The regulation does not apply to:

  • Buildings with only one or two units
  • Care facilities, dormitories, hotels
  • Multi-unit rental buildings
  • Buildings more than 25 years old (based on first occupancy)
  • Renovations under existing home warranty insurance
  • Renovations below the cost threshold listed above

This is not a complete list—contact BC Housing to confirm if licensing and warranty apply.

Warranty insurance

If your renovation meets the criteria above, you must provide warranty coverage that meets minimum standards set by regulation:

  • 2 years on labour and materials
  • 5 years on the building envelope, including water penetration (only for renovated areas)

Building envelope renovation schedule

Before starting work, you must complete a Building Envelope Renovation Schedule. This schedule:

  • Proves your licensing and warranty coverage
  • Is required to get a building permit
  • Requires you to name a building envelope consultant involved in the renovation

To request the BER Schedule or get more information contact us by phone at 604-646-7050 or 1-800-407-7757 or by email at [email protected].

Completing the schedule

The schedule includes several sections. Make sure you provide:

  • Copies of documents and reports for Sections 4–7
  • Signature of the building envelope consultant
  • Signature of the licensed building envelope renovator
  • Signature of the strata corporation or owner
  • Approval for home warranty insurance coverage
    • The warranty provider fills out Section 8 (Warranty Information)

Submitting the schedule 

After completing the schedule, submit it with all supporting documents and reports:

  • If a building permit is required:  Provide the package to your municipality or regional district
  • If no building permit is required: Send the schedule and supporting documents to one of the following:
    • Mail: BC Housing, Licensing & Consumer Services, 203-4555 Kingsway. Burnaby, BC V5H 4T8, or
    • Fax: 604-646-7051, or
    • Email: [email protected]

Keep the pink copy of the schedule for your records.

Fees

You must pay a $25-per-unit licensing fee for the applicable building envelope renovation.  

  • Cheques: Make payable to BC Housing and remit to the address above
  • Credit card: Email [email protected] to request a payment form