Zero Carbon Step Code (ZCSC)

Effective May 1, 2023, the BC Building Code now requires 20% better energy efficiency for most new Part 9 and Part 3 buildings throughout the province as part of the BC Energy Step Code.

The recent updates to the BC Building Code have also introduced the Zero Carbon Step Code, a new tool for the reduction or elimination of carbon emissions (known as “decarbonization”) in the building sector.

The Zero Carbon Step Code applies to indoor systems and devices that convert fuel into energy, including heating and cooling equipment, domestic hot water equipment, ventilation equipment, cooktops and laundry drying equipment.

Annual Targets

The Province and local governments have set ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets that can only be achieved if the building sector begins to decarbonize. The Province will begin to mandate different Zero Carbon Step Code Levels as early as 2024, and require zero carbon new construction by 2030.

Carbon Steps

The Zero Carbon Step Code is based on different, measurable steps. In general, these Carbon Steps can be referred to as:

• Measure Only Performance EL-1
• Moderate Carbon Performance EL-2 (Moderate emissions)
• Strong Carbon Performance EL-3 (Low emissions)
• Zero Carbon Performance EL-4 (Zero emissions)

Each step of the Code has a different Greenhouse Gas emissions intensity (GHGi) per square metre of building. An energy advisor would calculate the GHG emissions for a building design and work with the builder on modifications to meet a Zero Carbon Step Code level.

Part 9 Buildings - Two Options

For buildings like single-family homes, row homes, or small apartment buildings, builders and developers may either follow a prescriptive or performance approach.

Prescriptive Path

The prescriptive path requires builders to decarbonize energy-intensive appliances like space heating, water heating and cooking equipment. The higher the Carbon Step, the more decarbonized equipment will have to be installed.

Performance Path

The performance path sets overall greenhouse gas emission targets for each Carbon Step.

Builders may choose from different metrics optimized for small, medium, and large-sized homes. Builders who choose this route can ask their Energy Advisor to calculate the impact of their mechanical system choices on the overall carbon performance of the home.

Under the performance path, builders could include some combustion equipment like fireplaces, cooktops, or clothes dryers and still comply with the top Carbon Step (“Zero Carbon Performance”).

Part 3 Buildings – Performance Path Only

When building large residential buildings, offices, retail buildings, and hotels and motels, the Zero Carbon Step Code requires builders to follow a performance path that sets targets for a building’s greenhouse gas intensity (GHGi). The energy model for each building may be used to include carbon intensity calculations. Space heating, cooling, ventilation, domestic hot water, cooking appliances and combustion fireplaces are included in this calculation.

Proposed Timeline

The City of Maple Ridge is considering implementing the Zero Carbon Step Code (ZCSC) for Part 3 residential and Part 9 residential buildings to prepare our community for the future of electrification, and to lower carbon emissions in the development and operation of new buildings.

A proposed timeline is:

• Strong Carbon Performance (EL-3) by January 1, 2025
• Zero Carbon Performance (EL-4) by January 1, 2026

These timelines align with other Metro Vancouver municipalities that have introduced Zero Carbon Step Code for Part 9 buildings (EL-3 to EL-4 in 2023 to 2025) and Part 3 buildings (EL-2 to EL-4 in 2023 to 2025).

Metro Vancouver Municipalities Zero Carbon Step Code Adoption

Level of Engagement - Consult

The engagement for this project is at the "consult" level of the International Association for Public Participation's (IAP2) Spectrum of Public Participation. This means that we will keep you (the public) informed, listen to and acknowledge concerns and aspirations, and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision.

Learn more about how we use the Spectrum as a foundation for community engagement here.

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