Implementation updates

Communities can use a wide variety of policy tools to incentivize or require the BC Energy Step Code. On this page, we’re outlining how local governments are putting the standard to work.

Local government adoption

These local governments have submitted their initial notification, indicating they have started to consult on the BC Energy Step Code.

  • The * symbol in the list below means the local government has submitted a final notification form to the Province that it now references the BC Energy Step Code in a policy, program or bylaw
  • Information provided below comes from each local government’s final notification form and may not be fully up-to-date; for current Step Code status, please contact each local government
  1. City of Richmond – June 16, 2017*
  2. City of North Vancouver – July 4, 2017*
  3. City of Campbell River – July 10, 2017*
  4. City of Duncan – August 24, 2017*
  5. District of North Vancouver – September 1, 2017*
  6. City of Victoria – September 27, 2017*
  7. District of Saanich – September 27, 2017*
  8. Comox Valley Regional District – October 3, 2017*
  9. District of North Saanich – October 4, 2017*
  10. Resort Municipality of Whistler – October 5, 2017*
  11. District of West Vancouver – October 24, 2017 *
  12. Township of Langley – November 7, 2017*
  13. District of Squamish – November 9, 2017*
  14. City of New Westminster – November 28, 2017*
  15. City of Surrey – December 7, 2017*
  16. City of Kelowna – January 22, 2018*
  17. City of Penticton – January 27, 2018*
  18. City of Burnaby – March 1, 2018*
  19. City of Kimberley – March 12, 2018*
  20. City of Vernon – March 19, 2018*
  21. Village of Belcarra – March 27, 2018*
  22. District of Peachland – March 28, 2018*
  23. District of Oak Bay – April 11, 2018*
  24. City of West Kelowna – April 12, 2018
  25. District of Sparwood – April 23, 2018*
  26. District of Summerland – June 5, 2018
  27. District of Lake Country – June 7, 2018*
  28. City of Nanaimo – June 25, 2018*
  29. City of Kamloops – July 17, 2018*
  30. District of Central Saanich – July 17, 2018*
  31. City of Port Moody – September 24, 2018*
  32. City of Nelson – October 9, 2018*
  33. Village of Anmore – October 22, 2018*
  34. District of Elkford – November 6, 2018*
    • Step 3 for Part 9; building permit rebates for higher Steps
    • Contact the District of Elkford for the most current Incentive Policy for Higher Steps
  35. City of Abbotsford – January 28, 2019*
  36. City of Rossland – February 8, 2019*
  37. Town of Creston – February 22, 2019
  38. Village of New Denver – February 28, 2019
  39. Bowen Island Municipality – March 4, 2019*
  40. Regional District of East Kootenay – March 12, 2019*
  41. Village of Kaslo – March 25, 2019
  42. City of Port Coquitlam – April 23, 2019*
  43. District of Tofino – June 4, 2019*
  44. City of Maple Ridge – May 31, 2019
  45. Village of Pemberton – June 21, 2019*
  46. Municipality of North Cowichan – August 21, 2019*
  47. City of Powell River – September 4, 2019*
  48. Town of Smithers – September 4, 2019
  49. City of Salmon Arm – September 11, 2019
  50. Regional District of Central Kootenay – September 13, 2019*
  51. City of Terrace – September 13, 2019
  52. City of Courtenay – October 3, 2019*
  53. City of Colwood – October 9, 2019*
  54. Village of Golden – October 15, 2019
  55. Village of Nakusp – October 16, 2019
  56. Village of Slocan – October 17, 2019
  57. Town of View Royal – October 25, 2019
  58. Town of Comox – October 25, 2019*
  59. City of Fernie – October 29, 2019*
    1. Step 2 for Part 9; Step 1 for Part 3
    2. Learn more about the City of Fernie’s approach
  60. District of Ucluelet – October 31, 2019
  61. City of Pitt Meadows – Jan. 29, 2020*
  62. City of Prince George – Feb. 19, 2020
  63. Town of Gibsons – Feb. 20, 2020*
  64. District of Sechelt – March 2, 2020*
  65. Sunshine Coast Regional District – March 6, 2020*
  66. City of Revelstoke – May 19, 2020*
  67. City of Castlegar – May 25, 2020*
  68. City of Cranbrook – July 14, 2020*
  69. Regional District of Kootenay Boundary – July 17, 2020*
  70. Town of Oliver – Oct. 20, 2020
  71. City of Coquitlam – Oct. 29, 2020*
  72. Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality – Nov. 5, 2020
  73. District of Kitimat – Nov. 6, 2020
  74. District of Sooke – Sept. 23, 2020*
  75. Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen – March 24, 2021
  76. University Endowment Lands – April 28, 2021*
  77. Regional District of Central Okanagan – Aug. 26, 2021*
  78. Regional District of North Okanagan – Aug. 31, 2021*
  79. City of Enderby – Sept. 10, 2021*
  80. Regional District of Fraser-Fort George – Nov. 2, 2021*
  81. City of Delta – Nov. 24, 2021
  82. District of Coldstream – Aug. 31, 2021*
  83. District of Spallumcheen – Jan. 27, 2022*
  84. District of Highlands – Mar. 3, 2020*
  85. Village of Lumby – Dec. 13, 2021*
  86. Town of Sidney – Feb. 21, 2023

* = Referencing the BC Energy Step Code

University of British Columbia

The UBC Residential Environmental Assessment Program (REAP) is UBC’s green building rating system and REAP gold certification is required in UBC’s neighbourhoods.  On September 27, 2018, the UBC Board of Governors approved amendments to REAP, requiring new Part 3 residential construction at UBC Point Grey campus to meet a minimum of Step 2 of the BC Energy Step Code. Optional credits within REAP can be obtained for projects that achieve higher steps.

City of Vancouver

While not subject to the BC Energy Step Code, the City of Vancouver has its own zero emissions building plan. The Plan has four strategies to require the majority of new buildings to have no operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2025,  and all new buildings to have no greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

Page last updated: Dec. 21, 2022.