Modular building construction in Canada – Regulatory and certification requirements

Modular home production is emerging as a key solution to Canada’s housing affordability crisis, with policymakers and industry leaders exploring its potential benefits.

The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Group estimates that 3.5 million new housing units will be required by 2030, and modular construction—where building components are fabricated off-site and assembled on-site—offers significant advantages. These include reduced construction time, cost-effectiveness, and lower waste production. However, despite these benefits, broader adoption is hindered by limited awareness, industry experience, and regulatory complexities.

One of the primary regulatory challenges lies in the CSA A277 certification, which outlines standards for prefabricated building modules. While the National Building Code of Canada references CSA A277, its enforcement varies across provinces, creating inconsistencies in adoption and permitting. Additional standards, such as CSA Z250 and CSA Z240, further define manufacturing and installation processes. As modular housing gains traction, policymakers and industry professionals must navigate these regulatory frameworks to ensure safety, compliance, and efficiency. Addressing these barriers will be crucial for Canada to fully capitalize on modular construction’s potential to meet its growing housing demand.

In the March issue of Canadian Fabricating & Welding, the CWB Group outlines the regulatory and certification requirements needed for the construction of modular buildings in Canada. Read the full article: “Managing the production of modular homes”

Aysha Raad , Communications Lead, CWB Group

Mark Fernandes , EPC Manager, Government Relations

The CWB Group is an industry-supported private sector organization providing welding certification, management systems registration and training services to over 10,000 companies in over 60 countries globally. Headquartered in Ontario, Canada, with staff and offices across the country and around the world, CWB is recognized as one of the largest and most innovative welding organizations in the world. For more information, please visit: https://www.cwbgroup.org/