RBQ and you

Whether you are a general or specialized owner-builder, the activities of the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) centre on you.

What is an owner-builder?

An owner-builder may be a natural person, a partnership, a legal person or a public legal person. Every owner of a building, an equipment intended for public use, a facility which is not attached to a building, a petroleum equipment installation or a civil engineering structure, who performs or calls upon someone else to perform construction work on the owner’s property acts an owner-builder. Here are some examples of potential owner-builders within the meaning of the
Building Act:

• public bodies (government bodies that are not mandataries of the State, municipal and paramunicipal bodies, school agencies, health or social service agencies, or religious organizations);
• the owners of public buildings (offices towers, residential buildings, and so on);
• the owners of industries;
• the owners of duplexes, triplexes, and so on;
• the owners of shopping centres and the lessees of commercial premises;
• other owners, such as cooperatives, condominium owners’ associations, and so on;
• owner-builders using electricity (former holders of licence A-2).

We are pursuing the same objectives

You are committed to complying with the Québec Construction Code to ensure the safety of the individuals residing in the building or the facility that you own or who use it for other purposes. We are committed to ensuring compliance with the standards and regulations that apply to ensure the safety and protection of individuals.

You can rely on us

The RBQ’s activities concern you directly. The RBQ:

• issues the category of licence that allows you to engage in your activity;
• ensures that your work is executed in accordance with the Building Act and the codes and regulations applicable to your field of activity;
• responds to your requests for interpretation of sections of the Québec Construction Code and sections of the Québec Safety Code;
• informs you of amendments to the regulations.

A new licence holder has a duty to take all of the steps necessary to offer quality products and services that ensure the safety of the sites and facilities to which the public has access. The licence confers the right to carry out certain work but also confers the obligation to do so in a spirit of respect for the construction standards in force and generally accepted practices. Documentation is available to properly inform new licence holders of their rights and obligations and to publicize the role of the RBQ and the services that it offers. Moreover, RBQ representatives will distribute the documentation at a welcoming session.