Building Inspections

Green Building

City Council has recently approved Vancouver Building By-law amendments to promote energy efficient design. The provisions for new 1 and 2 family dwellings and can be viewed in Bulletin 2008-003-BU Building By-law Amendments for Green Homes (59kb).

Below are a number of the Green Home provisions:

• Increased insulation in walls and under slabs.
• Provision of a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) installed in a space accessible for maintenance.
• 40 % of light fixtures are required to be of a type that does not accept incandescent or halogen bulbs.
• Windows are required to have an Energy Star Rating.
• All toilets must now be of dual flush design.
• All gas-fuelled fireplaces are required to use electronic ignition and be direct-vented.
• Rough in of conduits for future solar panels.

Please refer to the bulletin above for the complete list of requirements.

For more information, view the by-law amendments (163kb).

View more information on green building initiatives including the City's Green Homes Program.

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