The Province’s CleanBC programs work toward BC’s commitment to reach net-zero carbon pollution by 2050. Part of CleanBC’s Roadmap to 2030 is zero-carbon new construction by 2030. The BC Energy Step Code is part of the Province’s commitment to taking incremental steps to increase energy-efficiency requirements in the BC Building Code and achieve the goal of zero-carbon new construction by 2032.

From May 1, 2023, the Province of BC has mandated an increase in the base energy efficiency requirement for new buildings by 20% (over the base 2018 BC Building Code). This is equivalent to:

• Step 3 of the BC Energy Step Code for Part 9 (Simple) buildings, and
• Step 2 of the BC Energy Step Code for Part 3 (Complex) buildings.

When you apply for a building permit for new construction within the Village of New Denver on or after May 1, 2023, you will be required to comply with this 20% or better requirement.

The Village of New Denver is following the performance approach for Step 3 in Part 9 construction at this time, which is the default option. Through this performance approach, designers or builders decide how to meet energy and airtightness performance targets for new buildings set by the Energy Step Code. A Certified Energy Advisor (CEA) must be retained to ensure the proposed building meets the requirements of the BC Energy Step Code. The Regional District of Central Kootenay offers a list of CEAs servicing the Regional District of Central Kootenay; you can find that list online through the RDCK, HERE.

The opt-in Zero Carbon Step Code will also be available for local governments to reference starting May 1, 2023. The Zero Carbon Step Code is a new addition to the BC Building Code that allows Authorities Having Jurisdiction to limit operational carbon from new buildings. While an optional standard at this time, the Province intends to make operational carbon limits mandatory over time, with the ultimate objective for all new buildings to to be zero carbon by 2030.

More information about how the BC Energy Step Code works can be found online through the following links:

• BC Energy Step Code Website
• BC Energy Step Code YouTube Channel
• BC Housing: General Contractors and the BC Energy Step Code
• Province of BC: Building Codes and Standards

Below are links to some BC Energy Step Code building resources:

• BC Energy Step Code Builders Guide – BC Housing
• Compliance Tools for Part 9 Buildings
• Compliance Tools for Part 3 Buildings

Code requirement details are available through the following links:

• Ministerial Order No. M40 (PDF), amending the Building Act General Regulation, effective May 1, 2023
• Ministerial Order BA 2023 08 (PDF), amending the BC Building Code, effective May 1, 2023
• Convenience Copy of BC Building Code Changes (PDF), for information only

Watch an introduction to the BC Energy Step Code provided by the BC Community Energy Association here: