BC Energy Step Code for New Buildings

The BC Energy Step Code (“Step Code”) will be coming to White Rock effective May 1, 2023, following a province-wide objective to improve energy efficiency in all new residential construction by 20%.

All new Building Permit applications accepted after May 1, 2023 will require an Energy Advisor (EAs) to produce a standardized compliance report.

The BC Energy Step Code will reduce the amount of energy required by new buildings. It will also offer a range of side benefits to occupants, the environment, and the economy. 

BC Energy Step Code logo

What is the BC Energy Step Code?

The BC Energy Step Code provides an incremental approach to obtaining energy efficient buildings that go above the base requirements of the BC Building Code and a pathway to ensuring all buildings province-wide are Net-Zero Energy Ready by 2032.

The Energy Step Code establishes energy-efficiency targets at each level or “Step”, and designers or builders can work with a certified Energy Advisor.
 

Building Classifications

The Energy Step Code applies to two types of buildings defined in the BC Building Code:

Part 9 Buildings: Houses and small buildings (maximum of 3 storeys with a maximum of 600 square metres of building area) includes single family homes, duplexes, townhouses, small apartment buildings, and small stores, offices and industrial shops.

Part 3 Buildings: Large and complex buildings (4 storeys or taller with greater than 600 square metres of building area) includes larger apartment buildings, condos, shopping malls, office buildings, hospitals, care facilities, schools, churches, theatres and restaurants.

How Does the Step Code Apply to New Construction?

There are three Compliance Reports required for Part 9 residential buildings:

1. Pre-Construction Report: An Energy Advisor or qualified energy modeler completes the Pre-Construction Report during the design phase, prior to construction of the building. This Report represents the proposed building.

  • The building owner (or their representative) submits this report to a local government with their building permit application. Local government staff can complete the Building Permit # field after the report is submitted.

2. Mid-Construction Report: An Energy Advisor or qualified energy modeler completes the Mid-Construction Air Tightness Report after insulation installation and vapour barrier application (Pre-drywall) is complete.

  • The building owner (or their representative) submits this report to a local government after the Mid-Construction test and identified air leakage has been addressed.

3. As-Built Report: An Energy Advisor or qualified energy modeler completes te As-Built Report when construction is complete.

  • The building owner (or their representative) submits their report to a local government after construction.

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