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 proposed 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

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
ocohen@summerland.ca or 250 404 4068

Zero Carbon Step Code Public Engagement Sessions

The District hosted several engagement sessions and opportunities over the month of August 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

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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District of Summerland - Implementation Process

The District of Summerland aims to remain compliant with applicable Provincial legislation, while still meeting operational and community needs and concerns. Our public engagement process for a new Building Bylaw will take place from August, 2021 until early 2022. Public review of the subsequent drafted bylaw will also take place, with an opportunity for input and comments. Some topics that can be anticipated for discussion include Energy Step Code implementation, possible building exemptions from the anticipated bylaw, the number of inspections required, reliance on professionals, development in floodplain areas, and treatment of older Downtown buildings.

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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!