The Ontario Building Code | Foundation Walls Above Ground
9.15.6.2. foundation Walls Above Ground
(1) exterior surfaces of concrete block foundation walls above ground level shall have tooled joints, or shall be rendered, parged or otherwise suitably finished.
In Plain Language
The above-ground portion of a foundation wall must meet the requirements set out in this article, differing somewhat from the below-ground portion given reduced soil pressure.
This is a plain-language summary of the 2012/2017 Ontario Building Code text above, for general understanding only and not a substitute for the Code. Always confirm current requirements against the 2024 edition (O.Reg. 163/24) or a qualified professional before construction.