Council is considering Bylaw No. 2283, which amends the Buil…

Council is considering Bylaw No. 2283, which amends the Building Bylaw to adopt the BC Energy Step Code and Zero Carbon Step Code with phased emission level requirements for new buildings. The bylaw is at first reading; second and third readings and adoption would follow. Once adopted, all new Part 3 and Part 9 buildings will be required to meet designated Step Code tiers and carbon emission limits, with compliance demonstrated through energy modelling and air tightness testing prior to occupancy. The amendment follows the provincial mandate requiring local governments to implement the Step Code by May 2026, but exceeds that baseline by incorporating the Zero Carbon Step Code in parallel. This municipality is joining a growing number of Island local governments that have adopted both codes simultaneously, which shifts the compliance burden from the energy performance of the building alone to also include operational greenhouse gas emissions. The phased structure means near-term requirements for Part 9 buildings will likely sit at Step 3 or 4, while Part 3 may be set at Step 2, with escalation tiers aligned to the provincial 2032 net-zero-ready target. The exact tiers and effective dates will be confirmed in the adopted bylaw schedule. For projects already in the pipeline, the transition provisions will determine whether applications submitted before the adoption date are subject to current code or the new standards. Municipalities have varied in their approach, with some applying the new requirements only to submissions received after adoption, while others set an in-force date that applies regardless of submission timing. The absence of correspondence or public hearing data suggests limited political contention; staff typically recommend these compliance amendments without controversy, though the elevated cost of air tightness testing and energy modelling adds a fixed compliance line item that becomes more material for smaller-scale projects.

Council approval has been requested for a development at an undisclosed address in Langford, BC. The applicant is seeking the municipality’s endorsement. The application is scheduled for council consideration on May 19, 2026. No decision has been announced.