What is the Energy Step Code?
This page will be updated shortly to include information in regard to anticipated Provincial legislation which will impact the City's planned Energy Step Code - Policy for Building Permit Application Requirements in Coquitlam.
The following table details the proposed changes in the Ministerial Order which is expected to be finalized shortly. For more information, please see the report provided in the December 12, 2022 Council-in-Committee Agenda (PDF).
| First Stage ESC Policy
2021/2022 | Second Stage, Dec. 2022
Following Ministerial Order |
|---|
Part 9
Small Residential | Implemented | Step 3 ESC or Prescriptive Path |
Part 3
Large Residential combustible | Implemented
| Step 2 (until review of new Provincial changes completed) |
Part 3
Large Residential Non-combustible
| Implemented
| Step 2 |
Part 3
Commercial | Implemented
| Step 2 |
The Energy Step Code is currently an optional compliance path in the BC Building Code. It is a performance-based standard that establishes measurable requirements for energy efficiency in construction. To demonstrate compliance, a builder must prove that the building meets or exceeds a set of defined metrics for building envelope, equipment and systems, and air tightness testing.
The adoption of the Energy Step Code system is expected to help reduce community-wide energy use and support the goals of the City’s recently-adopted Climate Adaptation Strategic Plan (PDF) and the upcoming Environmental Sustainability Plan.
The Province of British Columbia's CleanBC report has also indicated that all new construction will be required to be 20% more energy efficient by 2022 and “net zero ready” by 2032.
Staged adoption of the Energy Step Code will give builders and the City of Coquitlam time to work through the challenges associated with changes in building methods, prior to being mandated through the Provincial Building Code.
Energy Step Code Requirements
In an effort to encourage the construction of more energy-efficient buildings in the community, the City of Coquitlam will begin requiring Energy Step Code compliance for most new building permit applications starting in the second half of 2021.
This means that anyone applying for a building permit will have to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of the Energy Step Code. More information will be provided on this web page as the procedures for Energy Step Code compliance are developed and we would recommend checking here for updates.
Important Documents
