Zero emissions buildings

Zoning amendments to support the Climate Emergency Response

As of January 1, 2022, new low-rise residential buildings require zero emissions equipment for heating, and additional roof insulation.

A zero emissions building (ZEB) is highly energy efficient and uses only renewable energy.

We plan to transition to zero emissions buildings in all new construction by 2030. To achieve this, we're setting limits on emissions and energy use in new buildings, and will reduce these limits over time.

Review:

Zero Emissions Building Plan
Embodied carbon
Development by-laws, policies, and guidelines
Vancouver Building By-law (VBBL)
Resources

Net Zero applications

Applications for relaxations and exclusions under the CHBA Net Zero Home Label must include a person who has the Qualified Net Zero Builder accreditation. Alternately, the applicant team must include a person who has a current Certified Passive House Consultant or Certified Passive House Designer accreditation.

An Air-tightness Declaration is also required.

Review instructions and complete the Air-tightness Declaration form (477 KB)

Energize Vancouver

Energize Vancouver is our multi-year initiative to reduce the carbon pollution produced by existing commercial and multi-family buildings.

Energy resources and programs for existing detached homes

To achieve our Climate Emergency Action Plan targets we need to retrofit existing homes to reduce emissions to zero before 2050.

High performance building standards

Learn about high performance buildings that meet Passive House and Net Zero Energy certified standards.

Building catalyst tools

Learn how zero emissions buildings can be eligible for a 5% increase in floor space ratio.

Multi-family building energy resources and programs

Depending on its size, your multi-family building may be eligible for a range of utility programs, incentives, and rebates.

Zero Emissions Building Plan
The Zero Emissions Buildings Plan (568 KB) is a flexible, phased approach to combat and reduce carbon pollution in Vancouver:
- The plan establishes specific targets and actions to achieve zero emissions in all new buildings by 2030
- The plan does not focus on retro-fitting buildings
- Restaurants can continue to cook with natural gas (Learn more about our position on natural gas.)
- You are not being asked to replace your gas appliances
Benefits of zero emission buildings for residents
- Improve comfort by better managing temperature
- Improve health by better managing fresh air throughout the building
- Reduce noise through better insulation and airtightness
- Require less energy helping you to lower your energy bills
- More durable
Benefits of the plan for industry

The plan:
- Is closely coordinated with the province-wide Energy Step Code
- Creates a new level of consistency and predictability across local goverments
- Provides clear timelines for future updates will help businesses to invest in and develop products and skills to meet the next steps in requirements

Embodied carbon

Embodied Carbon Strategy
Embodied carbon emissions occur when building materials are produced, shipped, assembled, replaced, and demolished over the life of a building. City Council has set a target of reducing embodied emissions by 40% by 2030 as part of our declaration of a climate emergency.

The Embodied Carbon Strategy sets the plan and actions to achieve this target, including setting embodied carbon requirements in the Vancouver Building By-Law (VBBL).

Documents
- Embodied Carbon Strategy (17 MB), 2020
Embodied carbon in Vancouver Building By-law (current version)
The implementation of the embodied carbon requirements in the Vancouver Building By-Law (VBBL) have been in effect since October 1, 2023, as per the Administrative Bulletin 2023-001-AD (183 KB).

These requirements apply to all new Part 3 buildings. A completed embodied carbon design report and supporting documents must be submitted at the time of a full construction building permit application. Refer to the Embodied Carbon Guidelines for more information.

Documents
- Embodied carbon requirements in VBBL (Section 10.4)
  - The upcoming embodied carbon requirements in the 2025 update of VBBL are available in this Council document (648 KB). City Council has approved these requirements in principle, but the final 2025 code changes will be taken to the Council for approval in 2024.
- Embodied Carbon Guidelines (1.5 MB)
- Embodied Carbon Design Report (154 KB)
Embodied carbon in Vancouver Building By-law (proposed 2025 updates)
Below are resources from the September 19, 2024, information session on the proposed changes to the embodied carbon requirements in the Vancouver Building By-law (VBBL 2025):
We invite you to share your comments and feedback by the end of the day on September 28.

You can find more details on how to submit your input under the 2025 Building By-law invitation for public comment section on the Vancouver Building By-law webpage.

We also held an information session on the upcoming seismic design requirements in VBBL 2025 on September 10, 2024. You can watch the recording below:
- Recording: Seismic design in VBBL 2025
Resources and case studies
These studies and initiatives support Vancouver’s embodied carbon strategy.

Documents

Large buildings (Part 3):
Small buildings (Part 9):
- NearZero Program, Stream 2 : A funding opportunity and research program for low embodied carbon houses:
- Material Emissions Benchmark Report for Part 9 Homes in Vancouver (6 MB), 2022
More resources are available at CLF BC

Development by-laws, policies, and guidelines

Green Buildings Policy for Rezonings (current version)
- Green Buildings Policy for Rezonings (182 KB)
  - Required for all new rezoning projects
  - Green Buildings Policy for Rezonings - process and requirements bulletin (319 KB)
- Submittal requirements at rezoning application:
  - Energy and emissions performance limits:
  - Energy and Emissions Design Report (55 KB)
  - Embodied Carbon Design Report (154 KB)
  - Resilient Buildings Planning Worksheet (190 KB). Refer to this primer for a high-level summary of the Resilient Buildings Planning Worksheet (1564 KB)
  - Enhanced commissioning: commitment letter from owner
  - Energy system sub-metering: commitment letter from owner
- Some project types have submittal requirements deferred to the building permit application stage - Review the Green Buildings Policy for Rezonings Checklist (54 KB)
- Review energy and carbon and embodied carbon limits expected to be in force at the time of the project’s first building permit application in the Vancouver Building By-law section

Green Building Policy for Rezonings (previous versions)

For rezoning applications approved under previous versions of the policy, refer to the specific rezoning conditions stated within the application’s Council report.

Previous versions of the policy and supporting bulletin

For rezoning applications received	Supporting bulletin
2022 policy (247 KB) - for May 18, 2022, to July 24, 2023	Previous bulletin (130 KB), effective August 17, 2022
2018 policy (122 KB) - for May 1, 2018, to May 17, 2022	Previous bulletin (324 KB), effective June 14, 2019
2017 policy (185 KB) - for May 1, 2017, to April 30, 2018	Previous bulletin (362 KB), effective April 28, 2017
2014 policy (173 KB) - for June 10, 2008, to April 30, 2017	Previous bulletin (192 KB), effective January 14, 2016 Previous bulletin (186 KB), effective June 8, 2015 Previous bulletin (1.4 MB), effective June 25, 2014

Green Buildings Policy for Rezonings Checklist (54 KB) - This checklist should accompany projects at the building permit and occupancy permit application stage. It also provides guidance on post-occupancy submittal requirements.

Guidelines - Airtightness testing process and requirements for new construction (475 KB) - Refer to these guidelines on whole building and individual suite airtightness testing methods, compliance, and documentation.

Supporting policies

Rezoning Policy for Large Sustainable Developments
- Sustainable Large Developments Policy for rezonings (1 MB)
  - Approved by Council on July 25, 2018
  - Applied to new rezonings applications with:
    
    A total site size of 8,000 square metres(1.98 acres), or
    
    Contain 45,000 square metres (484,375 square feet) or more of new floor area
Higher Buildings Policy
- Higher Buildings Policy (911 KB)
  - Approved by Council on July 11, 2018
  - Applies to all new Higher Buildings applications received on or after November 1, 2018
Low-Carbon Energy Systems Policy
- Low-Carbon Energy Systems Policy (120 KB)
  - Approved by Council on November 15, 2017
  - Defines the requirements for Low-Carbon Energy Systems for use in City policies and by-laws
  - For energy reporting requirements for low-carbon energy systems, see also Energy Reporting Policy for Green Buildings (607 KB)
- Low carbon energy systems reporting template (14 KB)
- Preliminary guidance for projects considering connection to future low-carbon energy from Creative Energy steam system (126 KB)
Zero Emissions Building Catalyst Policy
Zero Emissions Building Catalyst Policy (731 KB)
- This policy outlines the ability of the Director of Planning to use discretion to advance multifamily projects built to zero emissions standards
- Relaxation of some regulations are available for projects designed for Passive House or Zero Energy certification
- An increase of up to 5% in permitted floor area is available in district schedule areas
- Zero Emissions Building Catalyst Guidelines (252 KB)
Learn more: Review zero emissions building tools
Supporting policies and guidelines
- Energy modelling guidelines (new Version 2.0) (318 KB)
- Guidelines with tracked-changes from Version 1.0 (433 KB)
- Shading devices and yard projections (144 KB)
- Roof mounted energy and green roofs (852 KB)
- Floor space exclusion for thermal insulation (101 KB)
  - See section 3 for improved insulation amounts
Review previous Green Building Requirements in Zoning and the Secured Rental Policy

Vancouver Building By-law (VBBL)

Resources

Case studies and links to external resources
Case studies
- City Hall heat pump case study (424 KB)
- Vancouver Park Place case study (684 KB)
Guides and resources
- Building Pathfinder tool
- Guide to Low Thermal Energy Demand for Large Buildings ("Low TEDI Guide")
- Building Envelope Thermal Bridging Guide
- Illustrated Guide to Achieving Airtight Buildings
- Efficient restaurant design: a resource guide to achieving a 35% reduction in energy consumption (313 KB)
- A Zero Emissions All-Electric Multifamily Construction Guide (3.5 MB)
- Integrated Building Adaptation and Mitigation Assessment (IBAMA) – Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions
- Mobilizing Building Adaptation and Resilience (MBAR) Design Discussion Primers – BC Housing
- Future Climate Design for Multi-family Buildings - University of British Columbia
- Climate resilience guidelines for BC health facility planning and design – BC Green Care
Research studies

Attend green building events or take courses

Zero Emissions Building Exchange (ZEBx)

ZEBx is a centre of excellence to increase knowledge, capacity, and passion for cost-effective and low energy buildings.

Learn more and sign up for updates

Zero emissions buildings

Zoning amendments to support the Climate Emergency Response