Nova Scotia’s proposed Built Environment Accessibility Standard work is now available for review and comment! 

This is an important milestone in the development of Nova Scotia’s first accessibility standard.  The goal of this standard is to address barriers to accessibility in buildings and outdoor spaces.

Key Points: 

  • The Accessibility Advisory Board made recommendations for accessibility standard regulations to be enacted under the Accessibility Act, recommendations for amendments to the Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations, recommendations for amendments to the Nova Scotia Fire Safety Regulations and recommendations for guidelines. See all materials here: https://novascotia.ca/accessibility/
  • There is a legislated requirement to make proposed accessibility standards available for feedback for 60 days. This provides you with an opportunity to review and respond to these proposed standards directly. To provide feedback, visit novascotia.ca/built-environment-public-review.
  • The target for enactment of the Built Environment Accessibility Standard Regulations is early 2024. Except as otherwise specified, these regulations apply to aspects of the built environment that are newly constructed or redeveloped on or after April 1, 2026.
  • The Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations follow a separate enforcement process. Once a new set of Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations is released, all new building permits would be required to meet the updated Building Code requirements. See Article 6 on Scope and Application for implications for existing buildings.
  • No later than April 1, 2026, Accessibility Plans required to be prepared under the Act must include a plan for addressing the availability of accessible washrooms in buildings. See Section 39 (1) and section 42 of the Accessibility Act for Accessibility Plan requirements for municipalities.

Provide your feedback!  Please review the proposed standard work and send us your input.

Your input is important
This public review will ensure Nova Scotians have opportunities to share feedback on the proposed standard work. The Accessibility Act requires the involvement of persons with disabilities, the public and private sectors, and other community members in the development of accessibility standards.

The feedback from the public review will be provided to the Minister of Justice and the Accessibility Advisory Board for consideration before the standard work is finalized.

Deadline to provide feedback
The public review will run until October 30, 2023.

How to provide feedback
You are invited to review the information about the proposed standard work before you provide feedback. An overview of the proposed standard work are available in English  and  French

You can find information about the proposed standard work and provide your feedback online or via email, letter, or phone. More information is available here: novascotia.ca/built-environment-public-review

Need assistance?
If you need any assistance with this public review process or have questions, please email: .

Want to know more about our accessibility work?
To learn more about the work of the Accessibility Directorate, please visit: novascotia.ca/accessibility