BC Step Code & Building Bylaw
Summerland, British Columbia
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Planning & Building
# Building Bylaw - BC Energy Step Code
Following the completion of community engagement, feedback with Council's committees such as the Development Process Improvement Advisory Committee, District staff has prepared new Building Bylaw 2022-002 for Council's consideration. Included in the bylaw is the adoption of the BC Energy Step Code with the following schedule:
* March 15, 2022 - **Step 1 for Part 9 Residential Buildings**
* September 1, 2022 - **Step 3 for Part 9 Residential Buildings**
In addition, fee incentives are proposed for the completion of mid-construction blower door tests, and to reach the higher level steps (Steps 4 and 5) of the Energy Step Code. Please find below links to the approved Building Bylaw No. 2022-002 and fee changes, and staff's information report from February 14, 2022.
Building Bylaw No. 2022-002
Staff Report - February 14, 2022
# Zero Carbon Step Code
## Zero Carbon Step Code Public Engagement Sessions
On April 8th 2025 the District hosted a builder engagement at TimberMart in Summerland to inform on the updates of the Zero Carbon Step Code, Provincial requirements, and the current housing in Summerland and its ties to Zero Carbon Step Code. If you missed the event please see the link below to see the slide deck!
Builder Engagement Slide Deck (2025)
More information about Zero Carbon Step Code can be found here
The District hosted several engagement sessions and opportunities over the month of August 2024 to inform and education residents, home and building owners, and the wider building community on the Zero Carbon Step Code.
The following resources were shared at these engagements:
Open House poster boards
Builder Information
*(Updated March 28th 2025)
On March 10 2025, following a Ministerial Order, new buildings must meet at least EL-1 of the Zero Carbon Step Code. This means that applicable buildings will be required to measure and disclose operational greenhouse gas emissions.
You can find all revisions to the BCBC here*
The Zero Carbon Step Code was first introduced as part of a May 1, 2023 update of the BC Building Code. It provides several options to reduce the amount of operational carbon emissions from a building by requiring lower emissions from space and water heating systems. The Zero Carbon Step Code applies to both Part 9 (residential) and Part 3 (large residential and complex buildings).
The Zero Carbon Step Code has the objective to reach zero emissions from all new buildings by 2030, which is intended to align with the Provinces CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 objectives. It complements the BC Energy Step Code by reducing emissions while improving energy efficiency.
Similar to the BC Energy Step Code, the Zero Carbon Step Code is based on different, measurable Steps. In general terms, these Carbon Steps can be referred to as:
* **Measure-only (GHG Emission Level 1)** - requires measurement of a building's emissions without reductions;
* **Moderate carbon (GHG Emission Level 2)** - in most cases, will require electrification of either space heating or domestic hot water systems;
* **Strong carbon (GHG Emission Level 3)** - in most cases, will require electrification of both space heating and domestic hot water systems; and
* **Zero Carbon (GHG Emission Level 4)** - in most cases, will require the full electrification of a building.
Local governments and other authorities having jurisdiction may choose to incentivize or require builders to meet any Carbon Step of the Zero Carbon Step Code, including a "measure only" level. At this point in time local governments may 'opt into' implementing the Zero Carbon Step Code until the Province announces specific Carbon Steps that local governments would need to meet.
The video below provides a quick summary of the Zero Carbon Step Code:
## Implementation of the Zero Carbon Step Code
The District of Summerland has not yet implemented the Zero Carbon Step Code into Building Bylaw 2022-002. To date staff have engaged with the Community Climate Action Advisory Committee on November 29 2023, where the committee provided support to staff and Council to pursue implementation of the Zero Carbon Step Code at the District.
In addition, staff went to Council on April 9th 2024 with a staff report summarizing the Zero Carbon Step Code, and provided a recommendation to pursue engagement over the summer prior to coming back to Council with another Staff report that would provide informed recommendations for implementation based on engagement. The Staff report and slides can be found below for reference.
.RFD -Zero Carbon Step Code
2. ZCSC slides
To date (July 2024) the following communities across BC have implemented the Zero Carbon Step Code:
**Total # of ZCSC jurisdictions (27):** 23 municipalities, 2 regional districts, 1 First Nation, UBC
**Local Governments:** Victoria, Saanich, Central Saanich, View Royal, Esquimalt, North Cowichan, Nanaimo, District of North Vancouver, City of North Vancouver, District of West Vancouver, New Westminster, Richmond, Squamish, Whistler, Nelson, Rossland, Township of Langley, Burnaby, Colwood, Penticton, Duncan, Vernon, Oak Bay
**Regional Governments:** Cowichan Valley Regional District, Capital Regional District
**ZCSC-like policies:** Vancouver, Highlands, Port Moody
If you have any questions or comments please contact:
Odessa Cohen
Manager of Planning and Sustainability
[email protected] or 250 404 4068
# Energy Step Code & Building Bylaw
The BC Energy Step Code aims to reduce the amount of energy required for all new buildings being constructed. The regulation sets performance targets for new construction and groups them into "steps" that apply across various building types. The lower steps are relatively straightforward to meet; the upper steps are more ambitious. Through this program, local governments can choose to mandate that new buildings in their jurisdiction meet specific levels of the Energy Step Code. The District of Summerland aims to facilitate an engagement process with our local community to see how we can implement this in a updated and amended Building Bylaw for the District.
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# Quick Definitions
Here are some definitions of common terms associated with BC Energy Step Code, for clarity and ease of understanding.
**Part 3 Buildings:**
Part 3 Buildings are classified as Group A, B, or F-1; or exceeding 600m2in building area, or exceeding three storeys in building height and have major occupancies: Group C (multi-family residential), Group D (office/service), Group E (retail), or Group F-2, F-3 (medium and high-hazard industrial).
**Part 9 Buildings:**
Part 9 Buildings are 3 storeys or less, have a building area less than 600m2, and have major occupancies classified as Group C (residential), D (office/service), E (retail), or F-2, F-3 (medium and low-hazard industrial).
**Net-Zero or "Passive":**
A net-zero energy ready building is one that has been designed and built to a level of performance such that it could, with the addition of solar panels or other renewable energy technologies, achieve net-zero energy performance.
To see this work in action, check out the Township of Langley's video on their energy efficient demonstration home below!
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# Rebates
There are lots of rebates and incentives available to builders and homeowners to encourage the adoption of the BC Energy Step Code. Below are two links to rebate search tools from the provincial CleanBC program for both residential and commercial builds.
Residential Rebate Search
Commercial Rebate Search
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