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Buildings and Climate Action

The Province has included the BC Energy Step Code and the BC Zero Carbon Step Code in the BC Building Code as opt-in tools for Local Governments to advance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in their communities ahead of the Provincial timeline for Implementation.

New Requirements in New Westminster for building permits filed on January 1, 2024

City staff are bringing forward for Council’s consideration amendments to the Building Bylaw that will implement a two option framework for Part 9 buildings and a measure only carbon performance for Part 3 buildings beginning January 1, 2024.

For building permits filed on or after January 1, 2024.

Part 9 buildings are required to build to one of two options:

  • Step 5 of the BC Energy Step Code; or
  • Step 3 with Emissions Level 4 (Zero Carbon Ready) of the BC Zero Carbon Step Code

Part 3 building are required to build to:

  • Step 3 of the BC Energy Step Code with Emissions Level 1 (measure only) of the BC Zero Carbon Step Code

Click on the links for further information on the BC Energy Step Code and the Zero Carbon Step Code.

What is New West’s timeline to implement the highest steps of the Energy Step Code and the Zero Carbon Step Code?

The City of New Westminster has developed a proposed timeline to reach the highest steps of both the BC Energy Step Code and the Zero Carbon Step Code. 

The proposed timeline, subject to City Council approval, provides a two option framework with the Zero Carbon Step Code concurrently with the Energy Step Code ahead of the provincial timeline. This approach will serve two functions: 1) long term reduction of carbon emissions (Zero Carbon Step Code); and, 2) reduction of energy consumption (Energy Step Code). 

The proposed timeline is in alignment with the required action needed to meet the City’s Climate Emergency Declaration targets for emission reductions outlined in the Community Energy and Emissions Plan 2050. 

There are projects that have already been completed in New Westminster that meet high energy-efficiency and low carbon standards. To view completed projects check out the case studies at Energy Save New West High Performance New Home program.

Building Type
Part 9 Residential		 May 1, 2023 Effective
Jan 1, 2024		 Proposed
Jan 1, 2025		 Proposed
Jan 1, 2027

Single or Two Family Dwellings

 Step 3 Step 5
EL-1 Measure or
Step 3 EL-4 Zero
Carbon Ready		 Step 5
EL-2 Moderate Carbon or
Step 4 EL-4 Zero
Carbon Ready		 Step 5
EL-4 Zero Carbon Ready
Laneway and Carriage Dwellings
Townhomes and Apartment Buildings up to three stories
Part 3 Multi-Family Residential May 1, 2023 Effective
Jan 1, 2024

Proposed
Jan 1, 2025

 Proposed
Jan 1, 2027
Group C Residential Occupancies 6 stories or less and combustible construction Step 3 Step 3
EL-1 Measure		 Step 4
EL-1 Measure
or
Step 3
EL-4 Zero Carbon Ready		 Step 4
EL-4 Zero Carbon Ready
Group C Residential Occupancies over 6 stories or non-construction
Hotels/Motels
Part 3 Commercial May 1, 2023 Effective
Jan 1, 2024

Proposed
Jan 1, 2025

 Proposed
Jan 1, 2027
Group D Offices (Business and Personal Services) Step 2 Step 2
EL-1 Measure		 Step 3
EL-1 Measure or Step 2 EL-4 Zero Carbon Ready		 Step 3 EL-4 Zero
Carbon Ready
Other Group D and Group E (Mercantile) Occupancies

 

The City will be hosting builder breakfasts, webinars and a survey this Fall to gather feedback on the supports needed to implement the proposed targets in 2025 and 2027 to reach the highest steps in both the Energy Step Code and the Zero Carbon Step Code.

*Let us know what you think, by completing a survey by October 15th!

The purpose of the survey is to gain input from the building community on how the City of New Westminster can support and reduce barriers or challenges to reach the highest steps of the BC Energy Step Code and the BC Zero Carbon Step Code. Results from the survey will be used to inform a report to City Council and future City programming and training opportunities for the New Westminster Builder and Designer community. 
 
If you have questions or need more information please contact Penny Page-Brittin, Community Energy and Emissions specialist, Climate Action at
 

  • Working with an Energy Advisor

    Energy Advisors are third-party consultants who have been registered by Service Organizations licensed by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to deliver NRCan’s EnerGuide Rating System (ERS). An Energy Advisor can provide both energy modelling and airtightness testing – the two compliance services needed to demonstrate compliance under the BC Energy Step Code for Part 9 buildings. For more information on energy advisors, including guidance for finding and energy advisor for your project, visit Canadian Association of Consulting Energy Advisors (CACEA) or Energy Step Code Energy Advisor webpage.

  • Community Energy & Emissions Plan (CEEP 2050)

    As part of the City’s ongoing efforts to reduce its impact on climate change the City endorsed an updated Community energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP 2050) in 2022. Reducing energy and emissions in Buildings is one of the five key action areas.

    The operation of buildings accounted for approximately 53% of total energy use and 43% of total GHG emission in New Westminster in 2016. The CEEP indicated that as the city continues to grow, it is essential that new buildings are constructed to the highest energy efficiency standards and to be able to adapt quickly as new technologies develop and energy standards change. Energy and greenhouse gas emissions modelling to reach the City’s Climate Action goals shows that significant emission reductions can be achieved over the mid- to long-term by accelerating requirements for higher Step Code levels in new construction and requiring that new buildings do not use fossil fuel energy sources. The CEEP recommends that all new buildings meet the highest tier of the BC Energy Step Code and use low-carbon energy systems by 2030.

    The CEEP provides a roadmap to approaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The complete CEEP can be reviewed here.