BC Building Code 2024 Revision 5: Effective March 10, 2025
On January 27, 2025 the province released revision 5 of the BC Building Code that:
- Mandates that new buildings must meet at least EL-1 of the Zero Carbon Step Code. This means that new buildings are required to measure and disclose operational greenhouse gas emissions.
BC Energy Step Code Requirements
From May 1, 2023, BC has mandated an increase in the base energy efficiency requirement for new buildings by 20 per cent. This is equivalent to:
- Step 3 for Part 9 (Simple) buildings, and
- Step 2 for Part 3 (Complex) buildings.
When you apply for a building permit from the RDKB building inspection services after May 1, 2023, you need to comply with this 20% better requirement.
What is the Energy Step Code?
Energy Step Code is a performance-based compliance path in the BC Building Code. It sets out energy and airtightness performance targets for new buildings. Designers or builders decide how to meet these required targets.
Builders work with a certified energy advisor or a registered professional. They use energy modelling software and on-site testing to demonstrate that both the building design and the construction meet Energy Step Code requirements.
The Energy Step Code provides an incremental approach to make new buildings more energy efficient each step and net zero energy ready by 2032. A net zero energy ready building is designed and built to achieve net zero energy performance by adding renewable energy technologies.
What is Zero Carbon Step Code?
Zero Carbon Step Code is a flexible, predictable plan in the BC Building Code to limit operational greenhouse gas emissions from new buildings, with the objective to reach zero emissions from all new buildings by 2030. It complements the BC Energy Step Code by reducing emissions while improving energy efficiency.
The Zero Carbon Step Code focuses on de-carbonizing building operations via space heating, hot water, and auxiliary equipment.
Carbon Performance Steps
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 (EL-1) - requires a builder to measure and report their proposed building’s greenhouse gas emissions
- Moderate Carbon Performance (EL-2) – likely requires the decarbonization of either space heating or domestic how water systems
- Strong Carbon Performance (EL-3) - likely requires the decarbonization of either space heating and domestic how water systems
- Zero Carbon Performance (EL-4) - indicates that the operation of the building is as close to zero emissions as possible
Effective March 10, 2025, the provincial government has mandated EL-1 for all new Part 9 and Part 3 buildings. It is expected to increased minimum standards in 2027 and 2030.
Local governments are permitted to voluntarily opt-in to higher Zero Carbon Steps, or to pair any level of the Zero Carbon Step Code with either the base energy efficiency requirements of BC Energy Step Code effective at the time, or to exceed requirements.
Resources and References (Updated Feb. 5th, 2025)
RDKB Information Sheets:
Energy Step Code Case Studies
Below is a series of case studies of Step 3 or higher homes in the RDKB and RDCK.
BC Building Code 2018 – Code Changes
This is a recording the BC Building Code 2018 – Code Changes webinar hosted by RDKB and RDCK. It consists of a presentation by Building Safety Standards Branch, brief presentation on regional requirements and Q&A session