BC Step Code Requirements by Municipality
Step Code requirements vary by municipality. Use this reference to find the current BC Energy Step Code level and Zero Carbon Step Code emission level required for Part 9 residential buildings in municipalities we service. Requirements are based on building permit application date.
Ask the BC Step Code Advisor
Ask the advisor below about your municipality’s Step Code requirements, airtightness targets, Zero Carbon levels, the Vancouver Building By-law, or ARG Energy’s compliance process. Every answer cites its official source — the advisor only draws on a curated set of BC government and municipal documents, and it won’t invent figures or guarantee compliance.
About the Step Code Advisor
The advisor isn’t a general-purpose AI. It answers only from a curated set of official BC government and municipal documents — it can’t search the web, draw on general knowledge, or invent figures. Every answer cites the exact passage it drew from, and if a question isn’t covered by those documents it says so and offers to connect you with Ross Gordon at ARG Energy.
See the official documents the advisor cites
Provincial documentation
- BC Building Code 2024 — Subsections 9.36.6 (TEDI/MEUI), 9.36.7.4 (airtightness), 9.37.1.3 (GHGI)
- BC Energy Step Code Bulletin B23-03 and Guidebook
- BC Housing Builder’s Guide and Design Guide Supplement
City of Vancouver
- Vancouver Building By-law 2025 (Volumes 1 & 2)
Municipal step code pages and bylaws
Burnaby · Surrey · Delta · Richmond · New Westminster · City of North Vancouver · District of North Vancouver · West Vancouver · Sunshine Coast Regional District · Gibsons · Sechelt · Bowen Island · Powell River
How to Use This Reference
The BC Building Code sets a provincial minimum of Energy Step Code 3 for all Part 9 residential construction. Many municipalities have adopted requirements above this minimum. The table below shows the current requirements for municipalities in our service area. If your municipality is not listed, the provincial minimum of Step 3 applies unless a local bylaw states otherwise.
- Requirements are based on when your building permit application is submitted — not when construction starts
- Zero Carbon Step Code requirements are separate from Energy Step Code levels and may have different compliance pathways
- Some municipalities require mid-construction blower door testing in addition to as-built testing
- Send us your project address and we will confirm the exact requirements that apply to your permit date
Greater Vancouver Municipalities
Data compiled from official municipal pages and the provincial Energy Step Code registry, verified March 2026. Requirements are based on building permit application date and may change when municipalities adopt new bylaws. We recommend confirming requirements for your specific project before starting design work.
| Municipality | Energy Step Code (Part 9) | Zero Carbon Step Code (Part 9) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burnaby | Step 3 | EL-4 (Zero Carbon Performance) | EL-4 effective January 1, 2025. Burnaby adopted Zero Carbon Performance ahead of provincial timeline. Two compliance pathways: prescriptive (all-electric declaration) or performance-based (energy modeling to meet GHGi target). Mid-construction blower door test required. |
| Delta | Step 3 | EL-1 (Measure Only) | Provincial minimum. See Let’s Talk Delta for current guidance. |
| New Westminster | Step 5, OR Step 4 + Zero-Carbon Zero (EL-4) | EL-2 (Moderate) with Step 5 | Two compliance pathways beginning January 1, 2025: Energy Step 5 + Zero-Carbon Moderate (EL-2), OR Energy Step 4 + Zero-Carbon Zero (EL-4). |
| North Vancouver (City) | Step 4 + EL-3, OR Step 5 + EL-1 | See pathways | Two compliance pathways: Energy Step Code 4 + Zero Carbon Strong (EL-3), OR Energy Step Code 5 + Zero Carbon Measure Only (EL-1). Mid-construction blower door test required. |
| North Vancouver (District) | Step 5, OR Step 4 + EL-3 | See pathways | Two compliance pathways: Energy Step 5, OR Energy Step 4 + Zero-Carbon Strong (EL-3). Mid-construction blower door test required. |
| Richmond | Step 5, Step 4, or Step 3 | See pathways | Three compliance pathways: Energy Step 5 + Zero-Carbon Moderate (EL-2), OR Energy Step 4 + Zero-Carbon Strong (EL-3), OR Energy Step 3 (BCBC) + Zero-Carbon Zero (EL-4). Air barrier red line definition plan drawing required. |
| Surrey | Step 3 | EL-1 (Measure Only) | Surrey requires a mid-construction blower door test before insulation inspection — in addition to the standard as-built test. |
| West Vancouver | Step 4 + EL-3, OR Step 5 + EL-1 | See pathways | Two compliance pathways: Energy Step Code 4 + Zero Carbon Strong (EL-3), OR Energy Step Code 5 + Zero Carbon Measure Only (EL-1). |
Sunshine Coast
| Municipality / Area | Energy Step Code (Part 9) | Zero Carbon Step Code (Part 9) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunshine Coast Regional District | Step 3 | EL-1 (Measure Only) | Covers Gibsons, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, Roberts Creek, Pender Harbour, and unincorporated areas. Provincial minimum applies. |
| Bowen Island | Step 3 | EL-1 (Measure Only) | Step 3 since October 2020. Step 4 expected 2027 per municipal planning. |
| Powell River | Step 3 | EL-1 (Measure Only) | Provincial minimum applies. |
The City of Vancouver uses a different compliance framework than Step Code. The City of Vancouver Energy Checklists relate to the Vancouver Building By-law (VBBL). The Vancouver Energy Checklist process is similar to Step Code but some metrics are different and the compliance documentation is different. For details, see the City of Vancouver Energy Checklist Compliance page. For renovations in the City of Vancouver see the Renovation Energy Update Program (REUP) page for existing homes.
BC Energy Step Code Requirements by Step (Steps 3, 4 & 5)
The BC Energy Step Code rates a new home’s energy performance on a ladder from Step 1 to Step 5, paired with the Zero Carbon Step Code (emission levels EL-1 to EL-4) for greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2025 the province-wide minimum for new Part 9 residential construction is Step 3 plus Zero Carbon EL-1. Many municipalities in our service area require a higher step or emission level — see the requirements tables above for your municipality. The airtightness targets below are set province-wide and do not change by climate zone.
| Step | Maximum airtightness (ACH50) | Blower door testing |
|---|---|---|
| Step 3 | 2.5 ACH50 or better | As-built test required |
| Step 4 | 1.5 ACH50 or better | As-built; mid-construction test often required |
| Step 5 | 1.0 ACH50 or better | As-built; mid-construction test often required |
Step Code 3 Requirements (Provincial Minimum)
Step 3 is the current floor for all new Part 9 homes in British Columbia. The building envelope must reach an airtightness of 2.5 air changes per hour at 50 pascals (ACH50) or better, verified by a blower door test, and meet Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI) and Mechanical Energy Use Intensity (MEUI) targets that depend on your climate zone and heated floor area. The paired Zero Carbon requirement is EL-1 — greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) is measured and reported, but not capped.
Step Code 4 Requirements
Step 4 tightens the envelope to 1.5 ACH50 or better with lower TEDI and MEUI targets, and is frequently paired with Zero Carbon EL-3 (Strong) in municipalities such as the City and District of North Vancouver and West Vancouver. A mid-construction blower door test — performed before insulation is covered — is commonly required at this level so air-sealing problems can be found and fixed while they are still accessible.
Step Code 5 Requirements (Highest / Net-Zero-Ready)
Step 5 is the most demanding tier, requiring 1.0 ACH50 or better — effectively a net-zero-energy-ready envelope. It is offered as a compliance pathway in New Westminster, the District of North Vancouver, and Richmond. Meeting Step 5 generally calls for continuous exterior insulation, high-performance windows, and meticulous air-sealing detailing, all modelled in HOT2000 before the building permit.
TEDI (Thermal Energy Demand Intensity) and MEUI (Mechanical Energy Use Intensity) targets vary by climate zone and floor area, so a HOT2000 energy model is needed to confirm whether a specific design complies. Most of our Greater Vancouver and Sunshine Coast service area falls within Climate Zone 4.
Step Code Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BC Energy Step Code?
The BC Energy Step Code is a provincial performance standard for new residential construction. It uses a ladder of five steps — from Step 1 (lowest) to Step 5 (highest efficiency) — to measure how much energy a home uses and how airtight it is. As of 2025, the province-wide minimum for new Part 9 homes is Step 3.
What is the Zero Carbon Step Code?
The Zero Carbon Step Code (ZCSC) is a separate emissions ladder — EL-1 through EL-4 — that runs alongside the Energy Step Code. It measures greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) in kgCO2e/m²·yr. EL-1 requires only reporting; EL-4 (Zero Carbon) caps emissions at 1.5 kgCO2e/m²·yr, which in practice means fully electrified heating, hot water, and cooking with no gas appliances.
Do I need an energy advisor for Step Code compliance?
Yes. A NRCan-registered Energy Advisor is required to model the home in HOT2000 before the building permit, witness or conduct the blower door test, and produce the compliance report for the authority having jurisdiction. ARG Energy is a NRCan-registered firm serving Greater Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast.
Does the City of Vancouver use the BC Energy Step Code?
No. The City of Vancouver operates under its own Vancouver Building By-law (VBBL) and Energy Checklist — it does not use the provincial BC Energy Step Code. As of 2025, new 1–3 storey homes in Vancouver must align to approximately EL-4 equivalent requirements under the VBBL. If your project is in the City of Vancouver, ask the advisor above for VBBL-specific guidance.
What happens if a home fails the blower door test?
A final blower door failure is expensive — drywall must be removed to locate and seal air leaks. This is why a mid-construction blower door test, performed before insulation is covered, is strongly recommended (and mandatory in municipalities like Surrey, Burnaby, and both North Vancouvers). Mid-construction tests catch common leak points — bottom-plate sealant, electrical boxes, plumbing penetrations, rim joists, and roof-to-wall transitions — while they are still accessible.
Need Help Meeting These Step Code Requirements?
Send us your project address and architectural drawings. We confirm the exact Step Code, Energy Checklist, and Zero Carbon requirements for your permit date, create the energy model, prepare all municipality-specific documentation, and conduct blower door testing at completion. Typical turnaround for pre-construction compliance packages is 2–4 weeks.
Learn About Our Step Code Compliance ServicesNot Sure What Your Municipality Requires?
Send us your project address and permit timeline. We will confirm the current Energy Step Code and Zero Carbon Step Code requirements and provide a quote for full compliance support.
