BC Prompt Payment Act: Deadlines & Adjudication
British Columbia passed the Construction Prompt Payment Act in 2025. It received Royal Assent on November 27, 2025 but is not yet proclaimed in force, and the prescribed forms are pending in regulation. BC's current Builders Lien Act continues to govern lien and holdback rights. The uncommenced prompt-payment rules are preparation guidance, not operative payment obligations.
BC remains available in Tiercord with pending prompt-payment dates clearly identified. Its in-force lien and holdback rules remain distinct from the uncommenced prompt-payment legislation.
Construction Prompt Payment Act
SBC 2025, c. 24
Not yet proclaimed
Enacted, awaiting regulations
To be designated
British Columbia prompt-payment deadlines at a glance
Each clock below runs from the event its own section names, computed in British Columbia's local time with statutory rollover for the province's holidays. Every row cites the section it comes from, where the province has one.
| Clock | Value | Statute |
|---|---|---|
Owner payment due Days from a proper invoice until the owner must pay or deliver a notice of non-payment. BC CPPA Section 9 | 28 days | BC CPPA Section 9 |
Notice of non-payment window Window to dispute an invoice. Miss it and the amount is generally payable in full. BC CPPA Section 11 | 14 days | BC CPPA Section 11 |
Deemed-proper review window If the payer does not flag a defect in the invoice, it is deemed a proper invoice. BC CPPA Section 7 | 7 days | BC CPPA Section 7 |
Pay your subcontractors After being paid, days to pass payment down to subcontractors. BC CPPA Section 9 | 7 days | BC CPPA Section 9 |
Pay subs even if unpaid If the owner has not paid, subs must still be paid by this day when you are the contractor billing the owner, or 42 days when you are a subcontractor paying your own subcontractor, or the matter referred to adjudication. BC CPPA Section 9 | 35 days | BC CPPA Section 9 |
Undertaking to adjudicate When refusing to pass payment down, the payer must undertake to refer the dispute to adjudication within this window. BC CPPA Section 11 | 21 days | BC CPPA Section 11 |
Adjudication referral window Time after the contract is complete to refer a dispute to adjudication. Refer later and the referral is a nullity. BC CPPA Section 19 | 90 days after completion | BC CPPA Section 19 |
Adjudicator determination Days for the adjudicator to issue a binding determination after receiving the claimant's documents. BC CPPA Section 30 | 30 days | BC CPPA Section 30 |
Comply with determination Days to pay an amount ordered by an adjudicator. BC CPPA Section 34 (enacted, not in force) | 15 days | BC CPPA Section 34 (enacted, not in force) |
Holdback retained Percentage of each payment retained as statutory holdback to protect lien claimants. BC Builders Lien Act Section 8 | 10% | BC Builders Lien Act Section 8 |
Holdback release period Period that must run before holdback may be released. BC Builders Lien Act Section 8 | 55 days | BC Builders Lien Act Section 8 |
Lien filing window Days to preserve or register a construction lien before the right expires. BC Builders Lien Act Section 20 | 45 days | BC Builders Lien Act Section 20 |
Go deeper on British Columbia
British Columbia prompt-payment FAQ
Is the BC Construction Prompt Payment Act in force?
Not yet. The CPPA (SBC 2025, c. 24) received Royal Assent on November 27, 2025 but has not been proclaimed in force, and the regulations defining the prescribed forms are still pending. Its uncommenced prompt-payment dates must not be treated as current statutory payment obligations.
What should BC contractors do now?
Keep proper invoice and service records, follow your current contract, and preserve rights under the in-force Builders Lien Act while preparing for commencement.
When does the prompt-payment clock start?
It starts when a proper invoice is received by the payer. If the invoice is missing required information, it may not qualify as a proper invoice and the clock may not start until the defect is cured.
What happens if a notice of non-payment is late?
A late notice is generally treated as if no notice was given, so the full invoiced amount becomes payable, usually with interest from the date payment was due.
Track British Columbia deadlines automatically
Track reviewed British Columbia payment and security dates, prepare the applicable documents, and keep the supporting records together.