Low Carbon New Buildings

Through the BC Energy Step Code, the Province sets minimum requirements for energy efficiency. Requirements are grouped into steps. Every few years the minimum step rises, guiding the industry towards net-zero energy-ready buildings by 2032.

The code allows local governments to adopt higher steps earlier than the provincial schedule to meet local climate goals and reduce emissions. 

The Zero Carbon Step Code regulates carbon emissions. It limits the amount of emissions a building can release in a year, depending on how big the building is and how the building is used.

The City of Victoria mandates the highest level of the Zero Carbon Step Code, emissions level 4: zero carbon performance, for all types of buildings. This requirement ensures that new buildings in Victoria will emit 75 per cent fewer emissions than the average recently constructed building in the city. Achieving this usually involves relying on electricity for energy use.

The BC Energy Step Code regulates energy efficiency (the total amount of energy used) in new buildings, while the Zero Carbon Step Code regulates and limits a building’s carbon emissions. By implementing these codes in Victoria, we’re making progress towards our climate goals.

The step codes only apply to new buildings. Existing buildings and retrofits are not required to meet step code requirements.

These regulations have been phased in over several years to help the construction industry implement the new requirements. As part of the development of the Zero Carbon Step Code, the Province completed a technical and costing analysis of common building types.

For single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes and small homes/garden suites (Part 9 buildings), the increase in cost to build was estimated at one per cent or less in Victoria's climate zone. 

For mid-rise/wood-frame residential buildings and high-rise/concrete residential buildings and commercial buildings (Part 3 buildings), it was estimated that the increase in cost to build was 2.2 per cent or less in Victoria's climate zone. 

Appliances like gas stoves, fireplaces and BBQs are not impacted by this regulation in single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes and small homes/garden suites.

Electricity demand is expected to increase by 15 per cent by 2030, according to projections from the Province of B.C. and BC Hydro. 

In the 2023 update of its Integrated Resource Plan, BC Hydro said they plan to meet this demand through several actions including acquiring about 3,000 gigawatt hours of new clean or renewable energy by 2030. In new buildings, modern design strategies and technology can reduce electrical demand. BC Hydro has also made changes to reduce electrical infrastructure upgrade costs by sharing them more evenly among all customers.

Renewable natural gas does not comply with the current step codes. Achieving the Zero Carbon Step Code requirements usually involves relying entirely on electricity for energy use.