Accessibility & Universal Design Guide
Since March 10, 2025, the BC Building Code 2024 requires at least one in every five single-storey homes reached from a shared indoor corridor to be an adaptable unit. A multiplex where each home has its own door to the outside is exempt, and the Province's Building Accessibility Handbook 2020 still describes the 2018 Code.
Key Takeaways
- ✓ BC Building Code 2024 requires 1 in 5 single-storey units served by a shared accessible indoor corridor to be adaptable. Units with their own outside door, or of more than two storeys, are exempt.
- ✓ Adaptable units need 850mm doorways, 1000mm hallways, controls between 400mm and 1200mm from the floor, and bathroom walls reinforced for grab bars.
- ✓ CMHC MLI Select offers up to 30% reduced insurance premiums for projects exceeding minimum accessibility standards.
- ✓ Universal design features (zero-step entries, wider hallways, lever handles) add only 1-3% to construction costs.
- ✓ Aging-in-place design is a major selling point for multigenerational multiplex buyers.
Why Accessibility Matters for Multiplex
Homes that work for a wheelchair, a walker or an aging parent suit more buyers and tenants, and multigenerational families often build a multiplex to keep parents close. The Province's bulletin B24-09-R4 says the SAFERhome Standards, which share features with adaptable units, add $1,100 to construction cost when planned at the design stage, and that renovating an existing home for the same features can cost more than $100,000.
Beyond demographics, there are strong financial incentives. CMHC’s MLI Select program offers meaningful insurance premium reductions for projects that exceed minimum accessibility standards — savings that can represent tens of thousands of dollars on a typical fourplex project. Properties with universal design features also command a resale premium, as they appeal to a broader pool of buyers across all age groups and ability levels.
Legally, the BC Building Code 2024 requires adaptable units only where homes are reached from a shared indoor corridor; the section below sets out which units count. The BC Human Rights Code also requires that housing providers make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Designing accessibility into your multiplex from the start costs less than adding it later.
What Does the BC Building Code 2024 Require for Accessibility?
The BC Building Code 2024 added adaptable dwelling units (Subsection 3.8.5. of Division B). The rules took effect on March 10, 2025, and Ministerial Order BA 2025-01 sets the share: at least one for every five single-storey units served by a common accessible interior corridor must be adaptable. In practice that means apartment-style buildings.
Which units are exempt: Article 3.8.5.1. leaves out a unit of more than two storeys, a unit with its own entrance and exit to the outside, and a unit not served by an interior corridor that has to be accessible. Most multiplexes give every home its own front door, so none of their units has to be adaptable.
Part 9 and Part 3 buildings: in a building that follows Part 9 of the Code, the one-in-five rule covers first-storey units off the shared corridor. Units on the second and third storeys count only when an elevator reaches them, and Part 9 does not require an elevator when those storeys hold only homes. A Part 3 building of three storeys needs an elevator, so one in five of all units off the accessible corridors must be adaptable. In both, an elevator is needed to reach shared spaces such as a common recreation room, garbage room or rooftop.
What an adaptable unit needs: an 850mm clear entrance door, 850mm doorways and 1000mm hallways on the path from the entrance to the living space, one adaptable bedroom, one adaptable bathroom and the kitchen, switches and outlets between 400mm and 1200mm from the floor, and bathroom walls reinforced so grab bars can be added later. The building's common entrances and the shared paths on the entry level must be accessible. The Building Code does not require parking; the city's bylaw may.
It is important to understand the distinction between “adaptable” and “accessible.” An adaptable unit is designed so that it can be easily modified to become fully accessible with minimal renovation: walls are reinforced for grab bars, but the bars do not have to be installed. A fully accessible unit has all features already installed and operational.
The handbook: the Province's Building Accessibility Handbook 2020 applies to the 2018 BC Building Code. For the 2024 Code, the Province published the Adaptable Dwelling Unit Illustrative Design Guide (March 2025) and bulletins B24-01-R2, B24-09-R4 and B25-01, all on the accessibility page of gov.bc.ca/buildingcodes. Sources read on October 20, 2026: that page, bulletin B24-09-R4 (March 10, 2025) and the design guide.
Adaptable Unit Requirements
The following table outlines minimum standards and best practices for adaptable unit features in BC multiplex construction, along with typical cost premiums over standard construction.
| Feature | Minimum Standard | Best Practice | Cost Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry door width | 850mm clear (3.8.5.4.(1)) | 920mm clear | $0 (standard framing) |
| Interior door widths | 850mm clear on the path to the living space, adaptable bedroom, bathroom and kitchen (3.8.5.4.(3)) | 900mm clear | $50 - $100/door |
| Hallway width | 1000mm clear (3.8.5.5.(1)) | 1200mm | $0 - $500 |
| Bathroom | Walls beside the toilet and shower or tub reinforced for grab bars (3.8.5.7.) | Walk-in shower + grab bars installed | $500 - $2,000 |
| Kitchen | Accessible counter height option | Adjustable counters + pull-out shelves | $1,000 - $3,000 |
| Flooring | Level thresholds | Zero-threshold throughout | $200 - $500 |
| Electrical | Controls, switches and outlets between 400mm and 1200mm from the floor (3.8.5.9.) | Rocker switches + USB outlets | $100 - $300 |
| Parking | None in the Building Code; check the city's parking bylaw | EV-ready accessible stall | $500 - $2,000 |
Universal Design Principles for Multiplex
Universal design goes beyond minimum code requirements to create spaces that work well for everyone — regardless of age, ability, or circumstance. The seven principles of universal design, when applied to multiplex construction, create homes that are more functional, more marketable, and more future-proof.
1. Equitable Use
Zero-step entries that work for strollers, wheelchairs, and delivery carts alike. Automatic lighting in common areas that eliminates the need to find switches in the dark.
2. Flexibility in Use
Open floor plans that accommodate different furniture layouts and living arrangements. Rooms that can serve as a bedroom, office, or den depending on the occupant’s needs.
3. Simple & Intuitive
Lever door handles that are easy to operate with limited grip strength. Rocker light switches that can be activated with an elbow or forearm.
4. Perceptible Information
High-contrast wayfinding signage in common areas. Visual and audible doorbells to accommodate hearing and vision impairments.
5. Tolerance for Error
Rounded countertop edges that prevent injuries from accidental bumps. Anti-scald faucets that limit water temperature to prevent burns.
6. Low Physical Effort
Lever faucets that require minimal wrist strength. Automatic garage doors with remote or smartphone control for effortless entry.
7. Size & Space for Approach and Use
Wider hallways (1200mm+) that allow comfortable passage for wheelchairs, walkers, and two people side by side. Adequate turning radius in kitchens and bathrooms (1500mm clear floor space) for wheelchair users to manoeuvre comfortably.
Universal Design Features & Costs
Most universal design features add minimal cost when incorporated during initial design and construction. The value impact column reflects the feature’s contribution to resale appeal and marketability.
| Feature | Description | Added Cost | Value Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zero-step entry | At-grade entry with covered threshold | $500 - $2,000 | High |
| Wider hallways (1200mm) | Allows wheelchair and walker passage | $0 - $1,000 | Medium |
| Walk-in shower | Curbless shower with linear drain | $800 - $2,500 | High |
| Lever door handles | Throughout unit | $200 - $400 | Low |
| Pull-out shelving | Kitchen and bathroom cabinets | $1,500 - $3,000 | Medium |
| Elevator rough-in | Stacked closet designed for future residential elevator | $3,000 - $8,000 | Very High |
| Smart home wiring | Pre-wired for automated lighting + door locks | $1,000 - $3,000 | High |
Aging-in-Place Design for Multigenerational Multiplex
Multigenerational living is one of the strongest use cases for multiplex housing in BC. Families are increasingly building multiplexes specifically to keep elderly parents close while maintaining independence for all generations. Thoughtful aging-in-place design makes this arrangement safe, dignified, and sustainable for decades.
Ground-Floor Suite Design
Designate the ground-floor unit for elderly family members with a walk-in curbless shower, pre-installed grab bars, an emergency pull cord in the bathroom and bedroom, and wider doorways throughout. Ensure the entire unit is on a single level with no steps or thresholds.
Independent Access with Connection
Provide a separate entrance for independence, combined with a visual connection to other units through an interior connecting door or video intercom system. This balances autonomy with the ability to check in easily.
Health & Safety Features
Include a medication management area with excellent task lighting, non-slip flooring throughout all rooms and hallways, and emergency response wiring with pull cords that connect to other units or a medical alert integration system.
Accessible Outdoor Space
Design an accessible patio or garden area directly connected to the ground-floor suite with a zero-step threshold. Raised garden beds, stable walking surfaces, and adequate outdoor lighting support continued enjoyment of outdoor living.
CMHC MLI Select Accessibility Incentives
CMHC’s Multi-Unit Mortgage Loan Insurance (MLI Select) program offers meaningful financial incentives for multiplex projects that exceed minimum accessibility standards. The program operates on a tiered system — the more accessible your project, the greater the insurance premium reduction.
These savings can be substantial. On a typical fourplex project, the difference between building to code minimum and achieving the highest accessibility tier can represent $25,000 to $80,000 or more in insurance premium savings over the life of the mortgage. When you consider that the additional construction cost to achieve higher accessibility is often just 1-3% of the total build, the return on investment is compelling.
Your lender applies to CMHC on your behalf during the financing process. Be sure to discuss accessibility targets with your lender early in the planning phase so you can design to the appropriate tier from the start.
| Tier | Adaptable Units Required | Insurance Premium Reduction | Estimated Savings (Fourplex) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC Code Minimum | 20% or ground floor | 0% | $0 |
| MLI Select Bronze | 30%+ | Up to 10% | $8K - $15K |
| MLI Select Silver | 50%+ | Up to 20% | $15K - $40K |
| MLI Select Gold | 100% + full common area | Up to 30% | $25K - $80K |
Visitability Standard
Visitability is a lower bar than full accessibility that ensures any person — including those using wheelchairs, walkers, or strollers — can visit a home comfortably. The visitability standard requires three basic features:
- At least one zero-step entrance to the home (front, side, or rear)
- 810mm+ door widths on the main floor for all interior doors
- One accessible bathroom on the main floor with adequate clearance for wheelchair users
While visitability is not yet mandated province-wide in BC, it is increasingly being adopted by progressive municipalities as a minimum standard for all new residential construction. Even where not required, visitability features add negligible cost during construction and significantly expand the pool of potential buyers and tenants — making it a smart investment for any multiplex project.
For multiplex builders, visitability is often a natural byproduct of good design. If you are already building to BC Building Code adaptable unit standards for your ground-floor units, you are likely meeting or exceeding visitability requirements.
See How Accessibility Impacts Your Project ROI
Enter any BC address into the VanPlex proforma calculator to get a detailed cost breakdown including accessibility upgrades, CMHC incentive projections, and ROI analysis tailored to your specific property.
Try the Proforma CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
Is accessibility required for all new multiplexes in BC? +
How much does universal design add to construction costs? +
What is the difference between adaptable and accessible? +
Is there a 2024 BC Building Code accessibility handbook? +
Can I get CMHC financing incentives for accessible design? +
What is visitability and is it required in BC? +
Ready to Analyze Your Property?
Enter any BC address to get a multiplex feasibility analysis with proforma projections.