Zero Carbon Step Code provides B.C. communities a pathway toward ambitious electrification goals for new buildings

A growing number of communities across British Columbia are taking climate action to reduce emissions from new buildings.

In B.C., buildings currently account for 12% of all greenhouse gas emissions, and in cities, burning gas in buildings is responsible for over 40% of climate pollution. Recognizing that a transition toward buildings powered with clean electricity is one of the most cost-effective steps local governments can take to meet climate action goals, over two dozen communities in the province have already passed policies that advance building electrification.

This blog offers an overview of the approaches taken by B.C. communities that have already adopted the Zero Carbon Step Code policy, which can require new buildings to use cleaner, more efficient, technologies to cool, heat and power our homes.

This page will be regularly updated to reflect the latest building-electrification wins in B.C. For more information, or to suggest edits or additions to this list, contact Stand.earth Climate Campaigner Sunil Singal at sunil.singal@stand.earth.

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The table below provides a general guideline of what each step of the Zero Carbon Step Code includes:

Step	Emission Level (EL)	Compliance Method
EL-1	Measure Only	No targets, reporting only
EL-2	Moderate Carbon	Generally, electrification of space heating
EL-3	Strong Carbon	Generally, electrification of space heating and domestic hot water
EL-4	Zero Carbon	Generally, full building electrification which includes space heating, domestic hot water, and other appliances including cook tops.

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Below, listed with the most recent actions first, are the 33 communities in B.C. that have adopted the Zero Carbon Step Code policy. Since B.C. allowed local governments to tackle climate pollution for new buildings in May 2023, a majority of the communities that have passed the Zero Carbon Step Code require at least EL-3, tackling 99% of the residential sources of carbon pollution.

These 33 communities represent approximately 45% of the population of B.C. In the province’s most populated regional district,  Over 60% of Metro Vancouver’s population is covered by the Zero Carbon Step Code!

Another half a dozen are considering ambitious targets via the Zero Carbon Step Code. More to come with your help! Stay tuned.

Last updated: February 27, 2025

33. City of Maple Ridge – The city kicks of the year with a bang! Council unanimously voted to tackle 99% of pollution in new buildings beginning this summer, and that stubborn last 1% will be addressed by the end of next summer.

The details: As of July 1, 2025, all buildings will require electrification of space heating and domestic hot water. As of full September 1, 2026 all buildings will require full electrification.

32. Town of Qualicum Beach – Finishing of the calendar year, this town becomes the last community to adopt the Zero Carbon Step Code in 2024 — and at the highest level too! Qualicum Beech joins the rest of Vancouver Island communities in adopting ambitious climate action policies to tackle emissions from new buildings.

The details: As of January 1, 2025, all buildings will require full building electrification.

31. City of Vancouver – Thanks to the efforts of the Stand.earth community and our allies, the gas industry was just handed a devastating defeat in Vancouver. Against all odds and a stacked city council, we not only defeated the gas industry’s dangerous proposal to allow gas in new buildings, but we also strengthened Vancouver’s climate and community safe building electrification policy. In the staff report, Recommendation A to electrify buildings passed 6-4, and Recommendation B to allow gas in new buildings tied 5-5, meaning it failed and did not pass.

The details: As of March 1, 2025, small buildings will require electricity as their primary energy source and larger buildings will require electrification of space heating and domestic hot water.

30. District of Metchosin – As part of Metchosin’s Climate Action Plan, the district is tackling one of the biggest sources of emissions — buildings! The district is the most southern community in B.C to adopt the highest level of the Zero Carbon Step Code.

The details: As of Fall 2024, all buildings will require full building electrification. 

29. City of Port Moody – The city continues its climate leadership on adopting best practices for climate-safe buildings despite gas lobbyists pushback. Port Moody was an early adopter in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings before the Zero Carbon Step Code was introduced by the province. The city has taken advantage of the new standard and aligned themselves with surrounding municipalities like Burnaby and New Westminster. This was despite attempts to delay building electrification by pro-fossil gas lobby group, BC CADE.

The details: As of January 1, 2025, all buildings will require electricity as their primary energy source. 

28. District of Oak Bay – Community prevails against FortisBC’s high-pressure tactics to block climate action. Before Oak Bay’s final vote to adopt ambitious Zero Carbon Step Code goals and join other Southern Vancouver Island communities in requiring electrification for all new buildings this year, representatives from FortisBC attempted to delay climate action by presenting misleading information to the council. Fortunately, people power succeeded in the community of Oak Bay.

The details: As of September 1, 2024, smaller buildings and larger buildings under six storeys will require full electrification. As of November 1, 2024, all other larger residential and commercial buildings will require building electrification. 

27. City of Vernon – The community wants more! Despite community advocates calling on elected officials in the city to be more ambitious with the Zero Carbon Step Code, the Council has opted to only report on emissions from new buildings for now.

The details: As of Spring 2024, emissions reporting is required for all new buildings. 

26. City of Duncan – Small but mighty! As part of its overall climate goals and Official Community Plan, the city has chosen to adopt ambitious Zero Carbon Step Code goals similar to the neighbouring community of North Cowichan.

The details: The city will opt into full electrification of all buildings. Council will amend their building bylaw in 2025.   

City of Courtenay – Stay tuned! After passing a Zero Carbon Step Code policy that was less than stellar, the Council voted to rescind its policy with intentions to bring back a more ambitious implementation timeline.

The details: To be determined.

25. City of Colwood – Catching up with the rest of South Vancouver Island. Colwood is embracing full building electrification, and has adopted similar Zero Carbon Step Code goals as the rest of the Southern Vancouver Island communities like Victoria, Saanich, and View Royal.

The details: As of March 4, 2024, all smaller buildings will require full electrification. Larger buildings will require the same timeline as other Southern Vancouver Island communities, which means as of July 1, 2024, multi-family residential buildings containing six storeys or fewer will require full electrification. As of November 1, 2024, multi-family residential and commercial buildings larger than six storeys will require the same.

24. City of Penticton – Reporting on emissions, but no action in tackling them. Although Penticton was first to introduce the Zero Carbon Step Code policy in the Okanagan Valley, the city has no plans on reducing emissions from new buildings – yet. The city will consider requiring electrification for space heating in new buildings in 2025.

The details: As of December 2023, the city requires the reporting of emissions for all small buildings. 

23. City of Burnaby – Putting the Lower Mainland on the map for climate action. Acknowledging South Vancouver Island’s climate leadership in adopting ambitious Zero Carbon Step Code goals, Burnaby council voted to introduce an even more ambitious large buildings electrification policy.

The details: As of January 1, 2024, electricity is required as the primary energy source for larger buildings. As of January 1, 2025, all smaller buildings will require the same. 

22. City of New Westminster – One year to prepare before going to full building electrification! New buildings must meet full electrification criteria as part of the Zero Carbon Step Code policy introduced in the beginning of 2024. If these requirements are not met, the highest Energy Step Code level (i.e. insulation requirements) are required.

The details: As of January 1, 2024, smaller buildings require building electrification or meet the highest standard of the Energy Step Code. Larger buildings will need to meet similar building electrification requirements or meet a higher standard for the Energy Step Code as of January 1, 2025. 

21. Township of Langley – First in the Fraser Valley! One of the fastest growing municipalities in British Columbia, the township took leadership in introducing strong Zero Carbon Step Code goals.

The details: As of April 1, 2024, the township will first require electrification of space or water heating for all single family homes and other small buildings as their primary energy source, before one year later, requiring all primary heating to be fully electric for space heating and domestic hot water as of April 1, 2025.

20. District of Squamish – Bringing the development community along on ambitious climate goals. Squamish temporarily relaxed its building insulation policy for one year and adopted an ambitious Zero Carbon Step Code policy.

The details: As of summer 2024, all buildings will require full electrification, including appliances. 

19. City of Rossland – Tackling emissions from smaller buildings. The community of Rossland doesn’t have large buildings, but that doesn’t mean it can’t tackle smaller ones! New small buildings going forward will come equipped with electric heating and cooling, rather than polluting gas.

The details: As of May 1, 2024, all small buildings will require electrification for space heating and domestic hot water.

18. University of British Columbia (UBC) campus and neighbourhood – Slow and steady. The UBC campus and neighbourhood has opted to follow the yet-to-be-confirmed provincial timeline of the Zero Carbon Step Code policy.

The details: As of January 1, 2030, all buildings will require electricity as their primary energy source and be net-zero energy ready before 2032. 

17. University Endowment Lands (UEL) – Don’t rock the boat! The province has signaled that full electrification will be required for new buildings beginning in 2030, and is proposing a phased-in timeline for smaller buildings and larger buildings. This phase-in timeline has not been confirmed yet, however the UEL has opted to go ahead with the proposed timeline set out by the province.

The details: As of January 1, 2030, all buildings will require electricity as their primary energy source. 

16. səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh Nation) – Please see here for further details on the Nation’s Zero Carbon Step Code policy.

15. City of Nelson – A wait and see approach. Nelson was the first in the West Kootenays in introducing a Zero Carbon Step Code policy. Although the city’s building electrification goals for smaller buildings are commendable, it could step it up for larger buildings.

The details: As of August 31, 2023, smaller buildings require electrification for space heating and domestic hot water. Larger buildings such as commercial ones, hotels and motels require electrification of space heating as of May 1, 2024. 

14. Resort Municipality of Whistler – A Black Diamond-like policy, but no Double just yet. Whistler started off 2024 with all new buildings requiring electricity as their primary energy source for most equipment. All new buildings will require full electrification at the start of 2027.

The details: As of January 1, 2024, all new buildings will require electrification of space heating and domestic hot water. And as of January 1, 2027, all new buildings will require full electrification. 

13. City of North Vancouver – City joins the two North Shore districts, sort of. The city adopted the same timeline for smaller buildings to use electricity as the primary energy source as the other two North Shore municipalities. However, the city has its own District Energy system, Lonsdale Energy Corporation, powered by natural gas which hooks up to larger buildings. The city is exploring how to make the fuel switch to wastewater heat capture from Metro Vancouver’s treatment plant, which would cut emissions in half.

The details: As of November 1, 2023, developers who opt to implement electricity as the primary energy source for space and water heating for smaller buildings can reduce their Energy Step Code level (i.e insulation thickness). 

12. District of West Vancouver – The North Shore trio. Despite the District’s slightly less ambitious insulation policy for buildings, the Council introduced the Zero Carbon Step Code policy similar to North Vancouver’s, which gives developers a choice to opt in to higher electrification goals for both small and large new buildings.

The details: As of November 1, 2023, developers who opt to implement electricity as the primary energy source for space and water heating can reduce their Energy Step Code level (i.e insulation thickness). 

11. District of North Vancouver – Good things come in threes. Following a similar pattern in how the three North Shore municipalities introduced the Energy Step Code policy (ex: insulation thickness of buildings), all three municipalities introduced similar Zero Carbon Step Code timelines.

The details: As of November 1, 2023, developers who opt to implement electricity as the primary energy source for space and water heating can reduce their Energy Step Code level (i.e insulation thickness). 

10. City of Richmond – Developers have a choice. Richmond has one of the most complex Zero Carbon Step Code policies. Depending on the size of the building, the material type (ex: wood frame vs. concrete frame), and the developer’s chosen insulation thickness, a building can be fully electric for primary heating and cooling.

The details: As of October 31, 2023, developers who opt to implement electricity as the primary energy source for space and water heating can reduce their Energy Step Code level (i.e insulation thickness). 

Update: In the fall of 2024, Richmond Council debated whether to continue with the current Zero Carbon Step Code policy timeline or delay it by several years. Representatives from FortisBC, and representatives from gas lobby groups Resource Works and BC CADE advocated for the removal of the Zero Carbon Step Code entirely until 2030 or later. Fortunately, builders, community organizations, and residents came out and spoke in favour of Richmond staying the course. After multiple days of deliberation, we successfully defended Richmond’s existing policy in a narrow majority!

9. Cowichan Valley Regional District – Following North Cowichan’s lead. Cowichan Valley is the second Regional District to require electric heating and cooling for smaller buildings.

The details: As of July 1, 2024, small buildings will use electricity as their primary energy source. 

8. Township of Esquimalt – Consistency is key! The township joined Victoria, Saanich, View Royal, and Central Saanich in adopting the same ambitious Zero Carbon Step Code goals and timeline.

The details: As of January 1, 2024, smaller buildings require full electrification. For multi-unit residential buildings six storeys or less, electricity is required for all primary heating as of July 1, 2024. As of November 1, 2024, any large buildings above six storeys will require full building electrification. 

7. District of North Cowichan – One step back, two steps forward. Before final adoption of the District’s Zero Carbon Step Code policy, the Council voted to nix it in favour of accelerating even further to match Nanaimo’s timeline.

The details: As of January 1, 2024, electrification is required for primary space and water heating in new buildings, before matching Nanaimo’s timeline of full electrification as of July 1, 2024. 

6. City of Nanaimo – A nail biter! Despite intense opposition from the gas industry (including the Alberta War Room!), the community showed up in support of electeds adopting ambitious Zero Carbon Step Code goals, passing 5-4. This makes the city the first in Central Vancouver Island community to introduce this electrification policy for new buildings.

The details: As of July 1, 2024, all buildings will require electricity as their primary energy source. 

5. Capital Regional District (CRD) – Sweet and simple. Kicking off the new year with a bang, the Regional District adopted ambitious Zero Carbon Step Code goals for the unincorporated areas where they deliver projects and services for residents living in Juan de Fuca, Salt Spring island, and the Southern Gulf Islands.

The details: As of January 1, 2024, all buildings will require electrification of space heating and domestic hot water systems. 

4. Town of View Royal – Ditto for this town! It was a no-brainer for View Royal’s council to adopt the same ambitious Zero Carbon Step Code timelines as their Southern Vancouver Island neighbours.

The details: As of November 1, 2023, houses, duplexes, multiplexes, and townhouses require full building electrification. As of July 1, 2024, residential buildings up to six storeys require full building electrification. As of November 1, 2024, residential buildings greater than six storeys and commercial buildings will require full building electrification. 

3. District of Central Saanich – Not one to be left out. Although Central Saanich may not be joined at the hip as closely as the District of Saanich and the City of Victoria (i.e the idea of amalgamating both municipalities), this District joined both of them in adopting the Zero Carbon Step Code to establish a regional strategy with the same ambitious timelines (six years ahead of the province).

The details: As of November 1, 2023, all residential buildings up to three storeys require full building electrification. As of July 1, 2024, all residential buildings up to six storeys require full building electrification. As of November 1, 2024, multi-family residential and commercial buildings larger than six storeys will require the same. 

2. District of Saanich – Let’s stick together. Besides flirting with the idea of amalgamating with the City of Victoria, the District of Saanich also partnered up with its neighbouring city to adopt the same ambitious Zero Carbon Step Code goals, kicking polluting methane gas to the curb in favour of electric heating and cooling.

The details: As of November 1, 2023, all single family dwellings, duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, and garden suites three storeys or less require electricity as their primary energy source. Beginning July 1, 2024, multi-family residential buildings containing six storeys or fewer will also use electricity as their primary energy source, and, as of November 1, 2024, multi-family residential and commercial buildings larger than six storeys must do the same. Renewable natural gas is not recognized as a viable option under the Zero Carbon Step Code requirements by the District of Saanich. 

1. City of Victoria – One of the first out of the gate! Victoria was one of the first communities to adopt ambitious Zero Carbon Step Code goals, which means that all new buildings going forward will come equipped with electric heating and cooling rather than polluting gas.

The details: As of November 1, 2023, all single family homes and other small buildings will use electricity as their primary energy source. Beginning July 1, 2024, buildings containing six storeys or fewer must use electricity as their primary energy source, and as of November 1, 2024, multi-family residential and commercial buildings larger than six storeys must do the same.