New Electrical Requirements for Buildings with 5 or More Units

Proposed Regulation: New Electrical Requirements for Buildings with 5 or More Units

The Government of Quebec is proposing significant updates to Chapter V (Electricity) of the Construction Code and Chapter II (Electricity) of the Safety Code. These changes aim to incorporate the 2021 edition of the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) and modernize current standards.

Key updates that affect multi-unit buildings include:

• Electric vehicle charging infrastructure: New residential buildings with 5 or more units will need to be equipped with basic infrastructure to support electric vehicle charging equipment (EVCE).

• Electrical load calculation: When installing EVCE in an existing building, the total load — including future installations — must be considered during the initial setup.

• Enhanced standards for humid environments: In specific building types (e.g., farms), electrical equipment, lighting fixtures, and wiring methods must be resistant to humidity and corrosive vapors.

The updates to the Safety Code mainly aim to clarify certain requirements and adjust references to the appropriate editions of the CEC based on the year of construction.

Deadline to submit comments: April 18, 2025.

Why it matters for multi-unit buildings
These new requirements could lead to additional costs during renovation projects or when installing electric vehicle chargers. Building owners and managers are encouraged to review the proposed changes and plan accordingly.

To consult the official documents:

• Proposed Regulation Amending the Construction Code

• Proposed Regulation Amending the Safety Code

• Regulatory Impact Analysis – PDF (787 KB)