BC Building Code Changes

May 1, 2023

Changes to the BC Building Code taking effect today mark an important milestone on the path to making new buildings – and especially new homes – more comfortable, more affordable in the long run, and part of the solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Starting today, most new construction in BC is required to be 20% more energy-efficient than buildings constructed under the most recent building code, which was updated in 2018. This new performance requirement has been outlined in the BC Energy Step Code, which regulates the energy consumption and efficiency of buildings.

For Part 9 buildings – such as single-family dwellings, duplexes, and small commercial buildings – the new minimum is Step 3.

For Part 3 buildings – including offices, hotels, apartments, and large retail buildings – the new minimum is Step 2.

In addition, a new Zero Carbon Step Code regulates the carbon emissions associated with operating buildings. This is mostly voluntary in BC at this point but provides an opportunity for local governments to incentive moderate, strong, or zero-carbon performance for Part 3 and/or Part 9 buildings.

Learn more

Watch the recording from a May 17th webinar on the Zero Carbon Step Code and how communities can lead in stepping up energy efficiency and carbon performance in new construction.