Built Environment Accessibility Standard

The Built Environment Accessibility Standard outlines requirements that organizations need to follow to prevent and remove barriers to accessibility in the built environment. The built environment includes the spaces where people live, work, learn and play across Nova Scotia.

Accessibility standard

• Built Environment Accessibility Standard Regulations (PDF)
• Built Environment Accessibility Standard Regulations – Overview (PDF)
• Built Environment Accessibility Standard Regulations – Plain language (PDF)
• Built Environment Accessibility Standard Regulations – Plain language – American Sign Language (ASL) (Vimeo video)
• Built Environment Accessibility Standard – Information Session (Vimeo video)
• Built Environment Accessibility Standard – Information Session with ASL (Vimeo video)

Compliance

Organizations must comply with the Built Environment Accessibility Standard Regulations beginning 1 April 2026.

• Accessibility Act: compliance and enforcement framework  

Resources

• Information about the Built Environment Accessibility Standard (YouTube video)
• What are Accessibility Standards? (YouTube video)
• What is the built environment? (YouTube video)

The standard includes planning requirements for organizations to develop maintenance plans for accessible entrances and parking spaces, as well as standards for snow and ice control of pedestrian facilities and fire emergency evacuation plans for small apartments. The following plan templates are optional and can be used as general reference tools to support implementation of the Built Environment Accessibility Standard Regulations.

• Accessible Entrance Maintenance Plan Template (WORD)
• Accessible Parking Maintenance Plan Template (WORD)
• Snow and Ice Control Standards Template (WORD)

How the standard was developed

The Accessibility Advisory Board established a committee to help the board make recommendations on the content and implementation of an accessibility standard in the built environment. Committee members included representatives from sectors impacted by the standard and government. The majority of committee members identified as having a disability.

The recommendations were used to prepare Nova Scotia’s accessibility standard for the built environment.