Information and Resources
2024 Ontario Building Code
The 2024 Ontario Building Code came into effect on January 1, 2025. These significant updates impact building designs, safety standards and construction. The information below highlights some of the key changes to help you understand the requirements when planning your next project and applying for a building permit.
For more information and details on the new 2024 Ontario Building Code, please visit the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing website.
The 2024 Building Code comes into effect on January 1, 2025, with a three-month grace period until March 31, 2025 for certain designs that are already underway.
Transition Period Date
January 1, 2025 - March 31, 2025
- Permit applications may be submitted using the new 2024 Building Code.
- Permit applications may be submitted using the 2012 Building Code if the applicant demonstrates that their working drawings were substantially complete by December 31, 2024.
April 1, 2025
- Permit applications must be submitted using the 2024 Building Code.
The information listed is intended to highlight some of the recent changes. For more information, please review the 2024 Building Code.
Adfreezing means the adhesion of soil to a foundation unit resulting from the freezing of soil water. (Also referred to as “frost grip”)
Agricultural occupancy (Group G) means the occupancy of a building or part thereof that is located on land that is associated with and devoted to the practice of farming, and is used for the purpose of producing crops, raising farm animals, or preparing, marketing, storing or processing agricultural products.
Agricultural occupancy with no human occupants (Group G, Division 4) means an agricultural occupancy that is not intended to be occupied by persons under normal use and is generally used for the storage of agricultural materials and by-products.
Alloyed zinc means an alloy of zinc having the corrosion resistance and physical properties of an alloy containing 0.15% titanium, 0.74% copper and 99.11% zinc, and so tempered as to be capable of being formed into the shape required for watertight joint.
Back pressure means pressure higher than the supply pressure.
Braced wall panel means a portion of a wood-frame wall where bracing, sheathing, cladding or interior finish is designed and installed to provide the required resistance to lateral loads due to wind or earthquake.
Carbon monoxide alarm means a carbon monoxide detection device with an integral audible alarm device designed to sound an alarm within the room, suite or space in which it is located when the concentration of airborne carbon monoxide exceeds a pre-determined level and duration.
Combustible dusts means dusts and particles that are ignitable and liable to produce an explosion.
Demountable stage means a structure that
- consists of one or more platforms together with any wall, roof or other structures attached to or located on any of the platforms,
- is intended to be used for public or private performances or events, other than performances or events associated with movie or television productions,
- is intended to be erected, assembled or installed for a limited specified time.
- is capable of being dismantled at its location and moved to be reconstituted elsewhere or is erected for one-time use,
- is not located inside a fully enclosed building
- is primarily for use by performers and workers, and
- may or may not be mounted on wheels.
Demountable support structure means any structure that
- is capable of supporting banners, stage sets, props, sound equipment, lighting equipment or other equipment,
- is intended to be used for public or private performances or events, other than performances or events associated with movie or television productions,
- is intended to be erected, assembled or installed for a limited specified time,
- is capable of being dismantled at its location and moved to be reconstituted elsewhere or is erected for one-time use,
- is not attached to or located on a demountable stage,
- is not located inside a fully enclosed building,
- is primarily for use by performers and workers, and
- may or may not be mounted on wheels.
Greenhouse agricultural occupancy (Group G, Division 3) means an agricultural building or part thereof that is primarily constructed of roofs and walls designed to transmit natural light.
High-hazard agricultural occupancy (Group G, Division 1) means an agricultural occupancy containing sufficient quantities of highly combustible and flammable or explosive materials which, because of their inherent characteristics, constitute a special fire hazard.
Mechanically vented (as applying to a fuel-fired space-or water-heating appliance) means an appliance and its combustion venting system in which the products of combustion are entirely exhausted to the outdoors by a mechanical device, such as a fan, blower or aspirator, upstream or downstream from the combustion zone of the appliance, and the portion of the combustion venting system that is
downstream of the fan, blower or aspirator is sealed and does not include draft hoods or draft control devices.
Nominal pipe size (NPS) means the nominal diameter by which a pipe, fitting, trap or other similar item is commercially designated.
Protected floor space means that part of a floor area protected from the effects of fire and used as part of a means of egress from an interconnected floor space.
Ramp means a path of travel having a slope steeper than 1 in 20.
Rim joist means the outermost member in floor framing, other than blocking, be it parallel, perpendicular or on an angle to the floor joists.
Secondary Suite means a self-contained dwelling unit located in a building or portion of a building of only residential occupancy that contains only one other dwelling unit and common spaces, and where
both dwelling units constitute a single real estate entity.
Underpinning means the process of strengthening the foundation or lowering the level of a foundation of an existing building.
Pedestrian Entrances
- All entrances to barrier-free storeys must be barrier-free and connected to a barrier-free path of travel .
Floor Areas
- In two-storey buildings, floor areas above or below the entrance storey do not require a barrier-free path unless the building has an elevator, large assembly areas, or a floor area exceeding 600m².
Access to Parking
- Changes now require barrier-free paths of travel to building entrances, exterior passenger loading zones, and parking areas, including storage garages.
Signage
- Signs must indicate the location of barrier-free entrances, ramps, washrooms, elevators, parking spaces, and assistive listening systems.
- Tactile (Braille) signage is required.
Water Bottle Filling Stations
- At least one water bottle filling station must be barrier-free, with automatic controls, accessible height, and proper clearance for operation.
Power Door Operators
- Doors with self-closing devices must also be equipped with power door operators.
Service Counters
- At least one service counter in public areas must be equipped with an assistive listening system or adaptive technology, and an amplification system if there's a barrier to communication, such as a glass screen.
Shower and Dressing Rooms
- At least one universal dressing and shower room must be provided in areas with public or customer use, or in common-use employee areas.
Elevator Requirements
The elevator's clear floor area must be 1.5m x 1.0m, with defined entry doors and gate sizes.
The information listed is intended to highlight some of the recent changes. For more information, please review the 2024 Building Code.
Change of Use
Farm Buildings
- Part 10 and 11 have been updated to include a Group G classification for farm buildings and houses with secondary suites.
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
- New provisions for heating and air conditioning systems in buildings with up to four residential units.
- Additional provisions for HVAC systems in Group B2 buildings with a change of major occupancy, referencing Part 6.
Division C
Underpinning
- A new requirement states that underpinning must be designed by a Professional Engineer. "Underpinning" is now defined as the process of strengthening or lowering the foundation of an existing building.
General Review
- New requirements have been added for the general review of agricultural buildings.
Demolition
- The exemption requirements revised to only exempt farm buildings on farms, rather than all buildings on farms.
Occupancy Requirements
- An occupancy permit cannot be issued unless the building complies with section 168.3.1 of the Environmental Protection Act.
The information listed is intended to highlight some of the recent changes. For more information, please review the 2024 Building Code.
Environmental
Airtightness
- New requirements and details added related to the installation of air barriers and requirements for airtightness. Below grade airtightness requirements updated to include radon and soil gases.
HVAC
New Setbacks
- Outdoor air intakes shall be installed not less than 0.3m above roofs, landscape grades or other surfaces, taking into account anticipated snow accumulation levels. Provisions added for required setbacks for vented products of combustion.
Evaporative Heat Rejection System
- This has been added to minimize the potential proliferation and transmission of disease-causing
micro-organisms
Air Handling System
- Air handling systems shall incorporate smoke detectors.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm
- A carbon monoxide alarm must now be installed in a suite of residential occupancy or care occupancy
where:- there is a fuel burning appliance or flue installed,
- a forced air fuel burning appliance provides heated air directly to the suite,
- is located in a room or suite or area that share a common wall or floor or ceiling assembly,
- or a storage garage shares a common wall or floor to ceiling assembly with the suite.
- When a carbon monoxide alarm is required to be installed, it should be installed in service rooms, each sleeping room, in public corridors serving suite of residential occupancy. Where carbon monoxide alarms are required in a public corridor, it shall be installed.
The information listed is intended to highlight some of the recent changes. For more information, please review the 2024 Building Code.
Farm buildings with low human occupancy (one person per 40 m² or less during normal use) must follow the 2024 OBC if they are:
- Larger than 600 m² in building area
- Taller than three storeys or
- Any size and classified as Group G, Division 4
Small farm buildings remain under the National Farm Building Code if they:
- Are no more than three storeys tall
- Are no larger than 600 m²
- Are used for Group G, Division 1, 2, or 3 agricultural occupancies
Additional Changes to Highlight
Fire alarm provisions, firefighting provisions, emergency exists and lighting, exhaust ventilation and explosion ventilation requirements, storage of pesticides, load requirements due to use and occupancy, snow and earthquake loading, ventilation for greenhouses, silos and grain storage.
The information listed is intended to highlight some of the recent changes. For more information, please review the 2024 Building Code.
Combustible Dust
- Relates to standpipe requirements for grain handling and storage facilities as well as design of hazardous areas.
- Definition for Combustible Dusts added to Div. A 1.4.1.2 Dusts and particles that are ignitable and liable to produce an explosion.
Sprinkler System
- If a building, storey in a building or a floor area is required to have an automatic sprinkler system installed throughout, the automatic sprinkler system shall also be installed throughout all lower storeys in the building.
- Additional assembly occupancies must now be sprinklered.
- Buildings classified as B3 and Group D, any height, any area, are now required to be sprinklered.
Fire Alarm and Detection System
- A fire alarm system shall be installed in buildings in which an automatic sprinkler system is installed, with the exception of a building containing fewer than 9 sprinklers. Key requirements include:
- Waterflow detection must trigger separate indicators on the alarm system.
- A manually operated alarm station must be on the roof of the buildings with helicopter landing areas.
- Audible alarms in sleeping areas of residential or are buildings must use low-frequency signals.
Hose Stations
- Hose connections shall be located within 5 meters of exits in unsprinklered areas in accordance with NFPA 14, and shall be provided with sufficient clearance to permit the use of a standard fire department hose key.
- Hose stations shall be located in the floor area within 5m (used to be 3m) of exits and at other locations to provide coverage of the entire floor area.
- Where a building or part thereof is used as a distillery and the building is sprinklered, a small hose (38 mm) stations are permitted to be supplied from interior sprinkler piping.
- Where a hose station is provided in grain handling and storage facilities in which combustible dusts are produced in quantities or concentrations that create an explosion or fire hazard, fog and fine spray nozzles shall be used instead of nozzles that discharge a solid stream of water to prevent combustible dusts from being raised into suspension.
Lighting & Power Minimum Level of Illumination
- The minimum level of illumination is now required for the entire length of escalators and moving walks, controls, signs displaying visual information, locations where doors are equipped with an electromagnetic lock, universal washrooms and showers.
Emergency Power
- Buildings must now have two (2) hours of emergency power for water-supplied fire suppression systems that rely solely on electricity.
Stairs
- Changes to stair design include:
- Nosing size adjustments
- New requirements for open stair risers
- Balusters must resist openings larger than 100 mm under a 0.1kN load
- The triangular space between the guard and step is now restricted to a 150 mm diameter opening
Windows
- Windows on the second storey or higher in dwelling units must now have a guard, limiter, or be placed 900 mm above the floor.
Fire Safety
- New provisions for fire separations and smoke-tight barriers, including: requirements for smoke passage, testing, and firestops. New decibel level requirements for smoke alarm signals.
ICF Foundation Systems
- Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) foundation walls now apply to buildings up to two storeys high with a maximum floor-to-floor height of 3 m.
Wood Frame Construction
- New requirements for connections to preservative-treated wood
- Updated fastening and anchorage requirements
- Increased seismic and high-wind area considerations
- New provisions for rafters, ceiling joists, and braced wall panels The rafter-to-joist nailing chart has been updated with new spacing and increased nailing requirements
Insulation and Vapour Barrier
- Insulation extending to full height of foundation and crawl space walls
- Additional vapour barrier materials allowed in foundations
- New testing and protection requirements for vapour barriers
Cladding
- New rules for attaching siding to ICF forms and sheathing. Insulated vinyl and polypropylene siding are now permitted.
Snow Loads
- Snow load calculations are now required for roof steps over 2 m where the upper roof is 1 in 6 or less and exceeds 600 m².
Ventilation and Vents
- New requirements for the distance between vent pipes and property lines, and below vented soffits (1.8 m)
- Ventilation is now required for storage garages with more than 4 vehicles (previously 5 vehicles)
Carports
- Revised to allow only one unit for carports and removed the provision for houses with two units.
Basement Temperature
- The indoor design temperature for unfinished basements has been lowered from 22°C to 18°C.
The information listed is intended to highlight some of the recent changes. For more information, please review the 2024 Building Code..
Midrise Wood Frame Construction (over 4 storeys)
- Designers can now use combustible cladding on midrise wood-frame buildings, which previously required noncombustible cladding under the 2012 OBC.
- The six-storey limit for combustible cladding and wall components has been removed. Combustible materials protected by masonry or concrete are now allowed for unlimited storeys.
Mezzanines and Interconnected Floor Space
- Low-occupancy mezzanines and platforms in noncombustible F2 or F3 buildings are now counted as storeys.
- Buildings with interconnected floor space must be fully sprinklered, rather than partially.
- New requirements specify protected floor space, draft stops on each floor, and limits on combustible content in interconnected spaces.
- B3 occupancies can now include interconnected floor spaces.
- Mezzanines over 500 m² must end at vertical fire separations, with updated egress requirements.
- Added requirements for connecting preservative-treated wood.
- New tables define fastening and anchoring for sheathing, subflooring, and seismic areas.
- Increased anchorage requirements for high-wind and seismic zones.
- Steel beams must now be primed.
- Updated braced wall panel support and new requirements for wood frame bracing, rafter installation, and ceiling joists.
- Rafter-to-joist nailing chart updated to include 300 mm spacing with increased nailing.
Safety within Floor Areas
- Reduced maximum travel distance for unsprinklered floor areas from 25 m to 15 m.
- Tactile indicators are now required at the top of unenclosed stairs and drop-offs over 300 mm without guards.
- Doorways in classifications A, B-1, C, D, E, and F must have a minimum width of 850 mm.
- Exit doors must now have tactile "EXIT" signs on the approach side in the direction of travel.
Building Facing a Street
- Group D buildings (up to 6 storeys, sprinklered, and noncombustible) and Group E buildings (up to 3 storeys, sprinklered) must now have 25% of their perimeter within 15 m of a street (up from 10%).
Roof Assembly Fire Resistance Rating
- Roof assembly fire resistance ratings can only be waived for gymnasiums, swimming pools, arenas, and rinks if specific conditions are met.
- Previously, this waiver applied to all sprinklered buildings with certain monitoring and signaling requirements.
The information listed is intended to highlight some of the recent changes. For more information, please review the 2024 Building Code.
Seismic Forces
- Plumbing systems in Part 3 buildings must now be designed to handle seismic forces.
Pipe Sizing
- The sizing of pipes has changed to Nominal Pipe Size (NPS), which refers to the commercially designated diameter of pipes, fittings, traps, and similar items.
Shut - Off Valves
- Pipes from a gravity water tank or private water supply must have a shut-off valve at the source.
- In all other buildings, shut-off valves are now required for the water supply to each fixture or group of fixtures in the same room.
Maximum Flush Cycle
- New restrictions on the amount of water used in flush cycles for water closets and urinals. A table for maximum water flow rates has been added.
Rainwater Harvesting
- New provisions for non-potable rainwater harvesting systems:
- these systems can now be used for water closets, urinals, clothes washers, floor-mounted sinks, irrigation, hydronic systems, and more.
- Rainwater systems must be designed and installed according to good engineering practices.
Catch Basins
- New requirements for maintenance holes and catch basins. Increased developed length between building and first manhole from 30m to 75m.
Traps
- Interceptors can now be used as traps under certain conditions
- A floor drain that connects to a storm drainage system must be protected by a trap
Sumps and Tanks
- Provisions for sumps or tanks receiving subsurface water must now have a water- and air-tight cover.
Make-up Water Connections
- These connections must be equipped with backflow prevention devices.
Hot Water Temperature Control
- Temperature control in hot water systems for care and childcare facilities reduced from 49 to 43 degrees Celsius.
Septic Systems
- New standards for prefabricated septic and sewage holding tanks, including a safety screen below cleanout covers.
- Changes for Type A Dispersal Beds to clarify materials used for the ‘mantle.’
The information listed is intended to highlight some of the recent changes. For more information, please review the 2024 Building Code.
- All new houses must include a rough-in for a subfloor depressurization system, ensuring readiness for future radon mitigation if needed.
- Changes also clarify that buildings occupied for less than four hours a day may be exempt, with updates to Supplementary Standard SB-9 and a new Appendix Note.
- Most new residential buildings now require radon control rough-ins.
- Non-residential buildings must plan for potential radon entry.
- Prescriptive requirements for these rough-ins have been introduced.
The information listed is intended to highlight some of the recent changes. For more information, please review the 2024 Building Code.
New Calculation Requirements
- Calculating vibration when machinery or equipment will be operated in a building and calculations for
serviceability limit states.
Additional Requirements Added
- Additional requirements added for vehicle loading areas, roofs with solar panels, attached canopies, seismic category table, and requirements for care of treated wood
Storage Racks
- New subsection added for the design of storage racks.
Subsurface Investigations
- An engineer is now required for subsurface investigation, including groundwater conditions
The information listed is intended to highlight some of the recent changes. For more information, please review the 2024 Building Code.
Harmonized with the National Code
- Ontario's two-unit house provisions have mostly harmonized with the National Building Code's (NBC’s)
requirements for secondary suites, except for overall suite size provisions.
Definitions Revised
- Definition of a house has been removed from Divisions A 1.4.1.2.
- Secondary Suite has been added: A self-contained dwelling unit located in a building or portion of a building of only residential occupancy that contains only one other dwelling unit and common spaces, and where both dwelling units constitute a single real estate entity.
Lower Ceiling Heights
- Currently ceiling heights in residential occupancies are a minimum of 2.3m and 2.1m in the basement, secondary suites are permitted to have not less than 1.95m. Lower ceiling heights over stairs located under beams serving a secondary suite, not less than 1.85m.
Egress
- A new egress exception has been added for houses with secondary suites.
Smoke Alarms
- New provisions requiring smoke alarms in secondary suites with houses to be interconnected throughout the entire building.
Additional Residential Units (ARU)
ARUs are smaller, self-contained dwelling units (i.e., with their own kitchen, bathroom and sleeping areas) that are inside, attached to, or in detached accessory building on same property as a single detached house, semi-detached house or street fronting townhouse. ARUs can take many forms, such as basement apartments, attached suites, tiny homes and coach houses, but they must be smaller than the primary residential unit, within a permanent building (i.e., not a mobile home or recreational vehicle), and connected to municipal water and sewage services, where available.
Getting Started
There are a few steps you will need to take before applying for an additional residential unit building permit.
- Early consultation with the Building Department is recommended.
- Please contact the Building Department to arrange a time to discuss.
- Is your property zoned for an ARU?
- Review the list of permitted uses for the zoning of the property. ARUs are permitted in R1, R2, R3, CC, V, RE, RR, A1 and A2 Zones, see the Township of Zorra Zoning By-Law Amendment No. 30-23.
- Does your property meet the Township of Zorra zoning provisions outlined in the below charts?
- Note: An additional residential unit in a detached accessory building shall comply with the provisions of Table 5.4.2.3 and Table 5.4.2.4, where a conflict exists, the provisions in Table 5.4.2.4 will prevail.
PROVISIONS FOR ALL ADDITIONAL RESIDENTIAL UNITS
- Water and Sewer Capacity?
- Where municipal water and/or sewer systems are available, you are required to complete a Form F060 ARU Sewage and Water System Capacity Confirmation Form available on the County of Oxford website and submit it to Oxford County Public Works. You will need to submit this form to the Township as part of your Building Permit Application. *This is only required for ARUs in fully and partially serviced settlements.
- Upper Thames River Conservation Authority Approval (if applicable)
- Check to see if you will require a permit or written permission from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. You can use the Online Interactive Mapping System to identify regulated areas.
- MDS (if applicable)
- If your property is outside of a settlement area, contact the Chief Building Official (CBO) to complete a Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) calculation. Information on MDS and the formulae used can be found here.
Important Notes:
-
Fees will be collected at the time of permit issuance.
- You may be required to obtain an second 911 or civic number.
-
Information about ARU building fees and required documents for your building permit application can be found in the Building Permit Fee section on the website or in the Township of Zorra Building Fee By-Law.
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If your proposed project does not meet all the requirements of an ARU, you will be subject to development charges. More information on Development Charges can be found here.
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Adding residential units may change the assessed value of a property, visit the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation website.
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Funding for your project may be available through County of Oxford Human Services. Visit their website for more information about Housing Funding Programs.
For more information about ARUs, please visit the County of Oxford’s website or contact:
Mike Hughes, Chief Building Official at 519-485-2490 Ext. 7224
Spencer McDonald, Development Planner at 519-539-9800 Ext. 3205
Association of Ontario Land Surveyors (AOLS)
Is the governing body for Ontario Land Surveyors and Ontario Land Information Professionals.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
Contribute to the well-being of the housing system by providing housing finance solutions. Provide essential, impartial research, data and expertise to inform the housing system. Help the Government of Canada deliver on its commitment to make housing more affordable.
Electrical Safety Authority
If you are planning a renovation that involves new electrical wiring or devices or repairing/replacing old ones, follow the law and do it safely. The Ontario Electrical Safety Code requires almost all electrical work to be reported to the ESA by completing a notification of work. This creates a permanent record of the electrical work that has been done in your home and it triggers a review process by the ESA.
Having a building permit is not the same as filing an electrical notification. You need both.
Hydro One
Information regarding electrical power and building near power lines.
Land Registry Office
Search land ownership documents, including deeds, mortgages and plans of survey for title. This is Ontario's official record of land property (or land registration system).
Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs
Works with local governments and partners across Ontario to build safe and strong urban and rural communities with dynamic local economies, a quality of life and affordable and suitable homes for everyone.
Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC)
Responsible for the assessment values of properties across Ontario.
Ontario One Call
If you are planning to dig, build, or excavate on your property, it is important you locate all of your utilities first. In case, under Ontario regulations, it is the law.
Oxford County
Information about services, business and government.
Tarion
Information on the Tarion Warranty Corporation and their services for new home buyers/builders
Technical, Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA)
Since 1997, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority has delivered public safety services on behalf of the government of Ontario.
Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA)
Anyone planning to undertake development activities in or near a regulated area, including flood plains, valley lands, and wetlands is still required to apply for a permit.
Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB)
If you work in construction, the rules for mandatory WSIB coverage have changed. Do you run your own construction business? Big or small, with workers or without, you still need to know what's changed. Find out what it means for you.
What is Cloudpermit?
How to Submit a Building Permit Application
How to Request Inspections
Cloudpermit Support Center
In addition to obtaining proper building permits, it is your responsibility to get all the proper utility locates before you dig - it is the law. Protect yourself and loved ones from serious injury, avoid causing utility outage in your neighborhood, and prevent costly repairs.
Contact Ontario One Call to request a free locate a minimum of one week prior to your start date. This will ensure you get all of the proper information before you dig.
Deck Design
This deck design guide is intended to streamline the design and approval process for the installation of a new residential deck. The information and details within the guide have been vetted by Building Officials and Tacoma Engineers Inc. to ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code. Click here to view the deck design guide.
The Township of Zorra requires property owners to have a 911 sign or a civic number visible so that they can be easily identified by emergency services.
911 Signs - as assigned by the Township
- It is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure their 911 sign is visible at the end of their laneway.
- Property owners are responsible for maintaining their 911 signs.
Civic Address Signs - means a sign which identifies by numbers and/or letters the civic address of the
For the purpose of displaying the civic number of the building or lot to which the sign relates and adheres to the following conditions:
- Be visible at all times from the private road or highway in either directions and clear of obstructions;
- If posted on a building, the sign must be of solid, contrasting colours for the character and background of the building;
- Be displayed right side up; and
- Must be of durable material, installed and sufficiently stabilized to retain its vertical orientation.
More information can be found in the Zorra Township Sign By-Law.
Need a New 911 number or Civic Address?
If you require a new municipal number generated (911 or civic number), please reach out to the office.
Ordering a 911 Sign
If you are in need of a new municipal addressing sign, please contact the office at 519-485-2490 or complete this online form.
Sign Costs
First 911 Sign and installation - free
Replacement sign - cost - please reach out to the office for current pricing.
Replacement installation - $80.00
The owner is responsible for all costs associated with maintenance and/or replacement when necessary.