The energy we use to heat, power and cool our homes and other buildings makes up over half of Victoria’s carbon emissions. Most of these emissions come from using natural gas, which is 16 times more polluting than electricity in B.C.
The City of Victoria is committed to becoming a low carbon city, adopting innovative approaches to reduce emissions.
Victoria is one of the first local governments to adopt the highest level of B.C.'s Zero Carbon Step Code, limiting carbon emissions in new buildings. We also require most new buildings to meet the base code level for energy efficiency set by the BC Energy Step Code. To support the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), residential and commercial developments must be equipped for the installation of EV chargers.
Requirements for New Buildings
To reduce emissions, all new residential and commercial buildings must comply with emission level 4 of the Zero Carbon Step Code following the Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw.
To improve energy efficiency, all new residential and commercial buildings in Victoria must comply with the relevant BC Energy Step Code steps:
- Step 3 for single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes and small homes/garden suites (Part 9 buildings)
- Step 3 for mid-rise/wood-frame residential buildings (Part 3 buildings)
- Step 2 for high-rise/concrete residential buildings and commercial buildings (Part 3 buildings)
The adoption of higher steps of the BC Energy Step Code will follow the provincial schedule.
For information on the BC Energy Step Code and the Zero Carbon Step Code, visit energystepcode.ca.