BC Energy Step Code

As part of the CleanBC Plan, the Province of BC now requires residential construction to be 20% more energy efficient than those built to the 2018 BC Building Code. This will apply to building permits applied for starting May 1, 2023.

Code Requirements

Summary Part 3 Buildings

  • Introduces the Zero Carbon Step Code, an opt-in building carbon pollution standard for operational carbon.
  • Introduces modified TEUI targets for office and retail occupancies.

Summary Part 9 Buildings

  • Introduces the Zero Carbon Step Code, an opt-in building carbon pollution standard for operational carbon
  • Introduces a prescriptive option for Step 3, Part 9 buildings if a local government passes an enabling bylaw
  • More airtightness testing options
  • New energy performance improvement compliance calculations

Additional Resources

When starting the building/site design process a Certified Energy Advisor must be retained to ensure the proposed building meets the requirements of the BC Energy Step Code.

Energy Step Code

BC Energy Step Code Builders Guide - BC Housing

BC Energy Step Code Building Guide - FVRD [PDF - 613 KB]

Compliance tools for Part 9 Buildings

Compliance tools for Part 3 Buildings