Effective May 1, 2023, a substantial revision to the BC Building Code (BCBC) will come into effect for the entire province of British Columbia.
Step 3 of BC’s Energy Step Code will typically require a 20% improvement over previous Code minimums when applied to new Part 9 construction, which includes housing and small industrial or commercial buildings.
Compliance with any level of Step Code requires a Certified Energy Advisor (CEA) to correctly model the energy efficiency improvement with reference to previous code minimums. However, during the April 20, 2023 Board meeting, the Board of Directors approved a staff recommendation to enable builders in TNRD Electoral Areas to use an optional prescriptive alternative to meeting Step 3 requirements with a CEA .
Through the prescriptive alternative, Part 9 buildings must meet higher requirements for insulation, use more energy efficient windows and mechanical equipment. Higher prescriptive standards were developed in response to feedback from rural and remote communities, including the TNRD, about a shortage of energy advisors outside of the Lower Mainland.
To obtain more information in advance of submitting permit applications, please contact TNRD Building Inspection Services at building@tnrd.ca, or 250-377-8673. To learn more, you can also visit the Province of BC’s webpage: How the BC Energy Step Code Works.