What do the BC Energy Step Code and the Zero Carbon Step Code ask of a new house I build?

What the answer means

The BC Energy Step Code and the Zero Carbon Step Code are parts of the BC Building Code for new buildings. The Energy Step Code sets how efficient a new building must be, in steps; the Zero Carbon Step Code sets how much greenhouse gas its heating and hot water may emit, in levels. The Province sets the minimum of each and a local government may require a higher step or level by bylaw, so the same house can face different rules in neighbouring places.

The Energy Step Code

Since May 1, 2023 most new buildings must meet the Energy Step Code's performance requirements: the design is checked with a whole-building energy model and the house with an on-site airtightness test against the targets of a step. For houses and other Part 9 buildings, Step 3 became the minimum everywhere in BC on that date, about 20% more efficient than the 2018 code, and the lower steps were marked reserved (Information Bulletin B23-01). The Province's aim is net-zero energy ready new buildings by 2032, with the minimum step rising every few years.

What a local government may add

A council or regional district board may require Step 4 or 5 for Part 9 buildings by bylaw. Where it does, a builder must use the performance route, modelling and testing, except for a log home (B23-01). Ask which step applies on the date of your building permit: the bylaw can phase steps in over time.

The prescriptive route

For now, a local government may also accept by bylaw the code's prescriptive route for a house (set insulation, windows and equipment instead of a model and a test), which the Province says may be needed in rural and remote places where modelling and testing are hard to get. Without that bylaw, the performance route applies. A log home may always use the prescriptive route (B23-01).

The Zero Carbon Step Code

It has four levels: EL-1 measures a building's emissions only, EL-2 most likely needs either space heating or hot water to be low-carbon, EL-3 both, and EL-4 is as close to zero emissions as possible (B23-01). Since March 10, 2025 the Province requires most new buildings to meet at least EL-1 (the Province's Zero Carbon Step Code page). A local government may require any higher level, in all or part of its area. In practice a higher level means a heat pump or electric heat and hot water rather than gas, oil or propane (our reading).

Who does the work

The energy model and the airtightness test are done by an energy advisor the builder hires, and the results go to the building department with the permit and before occupancy, as its own forms say. Where no building inspection reaches the land (see building permits), the code still applies to a new house, but no one checks it at a permit (our reading).

An existing house

The two codes were written for new buildings. A house you buy isn't brought up to them, and how far an addition or a renovation must meet them is for the local government that enforces the Building Code to decide, case by case (B23-01).

What it means for a buyer

On land you mean to build on, the step and level in force change what the house costs: modelling, testing, better windows and walls, and often the heating. Ask the building department before you remove subjects, and note that a step adopted after you buy applies to a permit applied for after it takes effect (our reading).

Our summary of the Building and Safety Standards Branch's Information Bulletin B23-01 (May 1, 2023) and the Province's BC Energy Step Code, Zero Carbon Step Code and Step Code requirements pages, read 2026-10-20. Which steps a local government has adopted isn't published as open data, so we don't list them by place. Bulletins aren't legal advice; the BC Building Code and your local government's bylaws are what apply.

Sources, read 2026-10-20 and summarised in our words unless marked otherwise: Information Bulletin B23-01: 20%-Better Energy Efficiency & Zero Carbon Step Code, Building and Safety Standards Branch; BC Energy Step Code, Province of British Columbia; Zero Carbon Step Code, Province of British Columbia; Step Code requirements, Province of British Columbia.

Before you buy: who to ask

The local government

Which step of the Energy Step Code and which level of the Zero Carbon Step Code does your building bylaw require for a new house, from what date, and do you accept the prescriptive route? Is a higher step or level coming?

An energy advisor

What would a house like the one I plan need to meet that step and level here, and what do the model and the tests cost?

The seller or their agent

For a house built since 2023: can I see the energy model, the airtightness test results and the building department's sign-off?

See also building permits, building off the grid, suites and second homes, solar panels and getting power to a lot.