Large Residential Combustible and Encapsulated Mass Timber: Energy Step 3

Large Residential Non-combustible: Built to BC Building Code

Built to BC Building Code

For apartment, townhouse and street-oriented village home residential uses, a minimum of one parking space per dwelling unit shall be equipped
with an energized outlet for an EV capable of providing Level 2 charging or higher. Where the required number of parking spaces is less than the number of dwelling units, 100% of residential parking spaces shall be equipped with an energized outlet for an EV capable of providing Level 2 charging or higher. These requirements can be found in Section 714 of the Zoning Bylaw.

Develop and implement a new Climate Action Plan that incorporates emerging best practice approaches and innovative technology, and prioritizes actions to achieve the City’s community and corporate climate change targets

Annually track and report on current community and corporate GHG emissions and monitor anticipated future scenarios through the use of GHG inventory and modelling tools

Advocate to regional, provincial and federal levels of government to improve measures to reduce GHGs through actions such as research, incentive programs, expansion of transit service, progressive building codes and strengthened legislation

Develop strategic and collaborative education opportunities to encourage the community to take action to address climate change (e.g. reduce energy use, reduce solid waste, invest in renewable on-site energy, participation in CleanBC incentive programs, planting shade trees)

Continue to limit idling of City vehicles and develop new community anti-idling requirements and an associated outreach campaign

Foster community-driven climate action projects and initiatives that contribute to community GHG reduction (e.g. Spirit of Coquitlam Grant Program, tree planting programs, Bad Seed program)

Develop policies and champion pilot projects to encourage renewable energy in civic projects and technology applications (e.g. solar-thermal water heating for outdoor pools, pilot solar powered mobile device charging stations in parks and solar parking pay stations, geothermal opportunity in the development of the Poirier Precinct Master Plan, micro hydropower generators in the water distribution network)

Connect residents to renewable energy resources and opportunities for home applications

Implement, track and report on the actions in the City’s Climate Adaptation Strategic Plan

Support local food systems initiatives (e.g. participation on the Tri-Cities Food Council)

Implement the new Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan and advance mutually supportive actions in the Climate Adaptation Strategic Plan to increase community wildfire preparedness and address wildfire climate risk events

In partnership with the business community and business associations, provide support and recognition to local businesses who reduce their carbon footprint and green their operations

Continue to support and promote sustainable local tourism to Coquitlam residents and visitors

Support the local food economy by promoting local makers, bakers, and growers (e.g. farmers markets, food trucks

Collaborate with academic institutions to provide civic-focused learning opportunities to postsecondary students on topics that build job skills, develop local capacity to advance environmental sustainability and attract talent to the City and local businesses

Foster and support retention and expansion of local clean technology and innovation by leveraging technology partnerships to advance and solve sustainability challenges in our community and support a sustainable local economy (e.g. Project Greenlight)

Encourage staff to commute sustainably by developing new initiatives and incentives (e.g. consider transit pass subsidy, bike storage and annual bike tune-ups)

Motivate sustainable actions in staff through engagement campaigns and policies (e.g. update the City’s Workplace Sustainable Practices Policy and enhance the Carbon Cutters Program)

Encourage sustainable staff driving habits through an e-learning civic driver training program

Enhance and promote sustainable procurement guidelines

Develop and implement a corporate green fleet strategy

Research and evaluate low carbon or renewable fuel options for the City’s fleet (e.g. piloting biofuel, low emission diesel, hydrogen)

Complete an assessment of environmental technology opportunities (e.g. smart lighting controls, radar, smart sensors)

Identify opportunities to gradually implement sustainable and socially-responsible criteria for corporate investments

Develop a Carbon Offset Reserve Fund policy to guide decision-making in allocating funds to high value GHG emission reduction projects

Require transportation demand management measures in new developments, neighbourhood centres and the City Centre (e.g. car sharing, bike end-of-trip facilities, telecommuting, parking management)

Work with key partners to promote education and outreach initiatives that support active transportation (e.g. HUB, SD43 and TransLink)

Prepare planning and development strategies for transit supportive development (e.g. following best practices for transit-oriented development, corridor design to develop complete streets, density and diversity of housing to support frequent transit services

Develop and support programs and campaigns that create safe cycling opportunities for all ages and abilities (e.g. pilot a Learn2Ride program, update school travel plans, update cycling maps, Go-ByBike campaign)

Work with TransLink to prepare plans and strategies for transit service expansion (e.g. through Transport 2050)

Implement mobility hubs in Transit Oriented Development areas to increase transportation choice for residents

Develop policies, regulations and streetscape guidelines to manage curb space safely and efficiently, with an emphasis on encouraging walking, cycling, transit and shared mobility

Develop a comprehensive pedestrian, cycling and accessibility plan as a part of future updates to the Strategic Transportation Plan

Explore and implement solutions for first and last km transportation (e.g. e-bike share, short-term electric bike rentals

Develop an Electric Mobility Strategy to advance vehicle electrification and support greater e-mobility in the City (e.g. develop an electric vehicle charging strategy, identify barriers to community e-mobility, review City fleet inventory for opportunities to transition to electrification and explore business cases around e-mobility)

Promote and support incentives (e.g. preferential parking) for electric vehicle ownership and charging infrastructure and deliver enhanced outreach and education

Implement BC Energy Step Code requirements for new building permit applications in advance of provincial adoption schedule

Develop a tracking, monitoring and reporting system for BC Energy Step Code buildings

Promote new development to meet a recognized sustainable building standard (e.g. LEED, PassivHaus, National Green Building Standard)

Promote sustainable building incentives such as the CleanBC’s Better Homes and Better Buildings Programs and consider providing top-up incentives (e.g. heat pumps)

Pilot a program to increase industry and homeowner awareness and capacity for energy efficient upgrades and retrofits for existing buildings (identify grants and partnerships to support the program

Encourage developers to investigate a variety of approaches to reduce the energy demand and GHG emissions of their buildings and developments including district energy systems and low carbon systems

Support opportunities, partnerships and programs for deep energy retrofits of existing buildings (e.g. the Reframed initiative has selected a social housing building in Coquitlam for their retrofit program)

Continue to investigate opportunities to support encapsulated mass timber construction

Encourage and enable the adaptive reuse of the existing building stock where appropriate

Continue to upgrade, retrofit and apply cost-effective climate adaptive design to aging civic facilities and infrastructure

Develop sustainable design guidelines for new civic buildings and build new facilities to performance-based standards that minimize the need for large-scale retrofits within the lifespan of the building

Target sustainable design and operational elements that reduce corporate energy costs and GHG emissions with acceptable payback period or return on investment

Contemplate using the Northeast Community Centre project to pilot the development of a “sustainability plan”, including a cost benefit analysis, for Council consideration

Implement BC Energy Step Code requirements for new civic facilities

Provide end of trip cycling facilities as a part of all new civic facility developments (e.g. secure bike and gear storage, change rooms, showers, electric bike charging stations)

Complete an assessment of smart building technology opportunities for civic facilities (e.g. machine to machine communications and automation, artificial intelligence, expand use of smart sprinklers)

Apply a climate lens to strategic building asset planning informed by energy audits, building envelope evaluation, climate risk assessments and green infrastructure opportunities to support decision-making

Direct the majority of growth into Urban Centres and SkyTrain Station areas

Explore opportunities to integrate natural asset management and inventory programs including valuation of ecosystem services into the City’s conventional asset management program

Continue enforcement of environmental requirements for construction projects (e.g. erosion and sediment control, zoning requirements, Riparian Areas Protection Regulation and stormwater management)

Explore opportunities to expand Watercourse Protection Development Permit Area requirements citywide

Create tools, policy and processes that support best management practices for sustainable development (e.g. sustainable development checklist/scorecard, development permit guidelines update)

Implement a pop-up green street pilot program that reimagines and repurposes portions of road right of ways to create unique and vibrant pedestrian-oriented public open spaces

Identify and pursue opportunities to add and retain green infrastructure and features (e.g. street trees, bioswales, new parks, green walls, etc.) to neighbourhoods through neighbourhood plans, streetscape and design guidelines and other relevant plans or programs (e.g. Roadway and Streetscape Enhancement Program)

Explore ways to support the inclusion of small scale pocket habitat and recreational gardens in new developments

Ensure boulevard tree planting specifications for City and development projects are resilient in a changing climate (e.g. species selection, soil availability)

Expand current programs and develop new initiatives to educate residents and schools about waste generation, recycling, reusing and food waste (e.g. Metro Vancouver Love Food Hate Waste Campaign)

Assess service delivery options to increase diversion of recyclable and organic materials

Reduce improper sorting of residential waste through education and enforcement of the Solid Waste Management Bylaw

Identify and promote incentives to reduce waste (e.g. eliminate exchange fees for switching to a smaller garbage cart, promote the cost saving benefits associated with reducing waste and overall consumption)

Promote item sharing and swapping programs (e.g. tool libraries, sports equipment sharing in parks, library loan programs and Little Free Libraries, repair cafés)

Advocate for enhanced recycling options through the Province and EPR programs (e.g. textiles, electronics, large items including mattresses and furniture, Styrofoam, plastic bags, batteries from electric vehicles)

Assess opportunities to extend existing residential waste reduction programs to multi-family (e.g. large item pick-up program)

Explore partnerships to promote sustainable waste management with institutions such as School District 43

Evaluate, prepare, and prioritize guidelines for construction and demolition (deconstruction) materials to encourage the recycling and reuse of building materials where feasible (e.g. educational resources, recycling program, integrate with CleanBC Better Buildings programs)

Collaborate with local business associations and Metro Vancouver to promote waste reduction and recycling for businesses (e.g. Promoting Metro Vancouver’s food recovery network)

Look for education and programming opportunities to support the regional approach in addressing food waste

Continue to provide waste separation at civic facilities and promote recycling initiatives such as battery and office supplies recycling

Continue to require waste separation at large City events (>100 participants) and consider expanding these requirements to smaller events

Review and update the Parks Solid Waste Management Plan

Continue to advocate for the development of consistent single-use item strategies and regulations within the context of federal and provincial frameworks

Implement a single-use item bylaw that reflects the regional approach developed by Metro Vancouver

Promote reusable alternatives to single-use items to reduce consumption

Reduce illegal dumping and littering through education and bylaw enforcement programs

Pilot a Pop-up Junk Drop program to facilitate convenient disposal of items such as hazardous waste and large items

Continue to encourage item reuse through existing programs (e.g. Citywide Garage Sale and Give-away) and explore new programs (e.g. Repair Cafés)

Implement the Enhanced Water Conservation Strategy to further reduce water consumption

Continue enforcement of regional water use restrictions in collaboration with regional partners and advocate for further restrictions during peak usage

Update the Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw to include the new regional restrictions (i.e. one day per week lawn watering)

Investigate the use of rainwater, groundwater and greywater re-use systems to reduce water demand (e.g. consider for larger multi-family and commercial developments

Expand the City’s water conservation education program to address topics such as efficient irrigation systems and drought tolerant landscaping

Provide incentives for water efficient appliances and tools (e.g. rebates in partnership with BC Hydro and piloting a new toilet rebate program)

Require the installation of water meter-ready connections for new single-family homes as a condition of new development approval, as well as for City construction projects and water service replacements

Implement a statistical metering program to inform a future decision on multi-family water meter setters and a future report on residential water metering implementation options

Analyze water meter data to identify high consumers and create targeted conservation education and support plans

Partner with Metro Vancouver to encourage businesses to reduce water use, adopt water efficient upgrades and detect leaks

Explore options for seasonal water rates to encourage less water use when supply is reduced

Undertake an audit of civic facilities to identify and prioritize water conservation opportunities and upgrades

Investigate opportunities to access groundwater for irrigation of City assets (e.g. Town Centre Park) and to provide additional emergency drinking water sources

Enhance the City’s leak detection and repair program

Coordinate with neighbouring municipalities to complete Integrated Watershed Management Plans for all major remaining urban watersheds (e.g. Stoney Creek)

Identify and pursue opportunities to daylight creeks in alignment with the City’s Integrated Watershed Management Plans

Monitor flow rates and water quality in watercourses and apply adaptive management where needed (as per the City’s Integrated Watershed Management Plans and Metro Vancouver’s Integrated Liquid Waste and Resource Management Plan)

Expand and apply the City’s Rainwater Management Guidelines to capital projects, where practical, and to new land development citywide except in areas with steep slopes susceptible to landslides

Update the Stormwater Management Policy and Design Manual with new rainwater Intensity-DurationFrequency curves to reflect the modelled future impacts of climate change

Enhance erosion and sediment control education and enforcement including development of new strategies for single family developments

Explore ways to increase onsite rain and storm water retention, such as through pervious area requirements, guidelines or incentives, with a focus on single family developments

Pursue targeted education and enforcement opportunities to reduce pollution in watercourses by analyzing and mapping the City’s spill response data

Create and expand education, outreach and volunteer opportunities related to residential stormwater management (e.g. Storm Drain Marking Program, AdoptA-Catch Basin Program and continue litter clean-ups

Enhance the inflow and infiltration abatement program (e.g. to reduce wet weather inflow and infiltration volumes and sanitary sewer overflows)

Review and improve sanitary sewer system capacity with consideration for population growth to prevent sanitary sewer overflows

Provide environmental education programs and volunteer engagement initiatives for all ages and abilities in collaboration with community and regional partners

Engage youth through youth-focused volunteer opportunities, school programs and outdoor experiences (e.g. trail building, park hosting and environmental leadership committees)

Recognize environmental champions through programs such as the Environmental Achievement Awards and Communities in Bloom

Support small scale pocket habitats and gardens (e.g. pollinator gardens) in neighbourhoods and commercial areas through educational resources and programs

Promote and support community-based science initiatives (e.g. City Nature Challenge, bioblitz, water quality monitoring, backyard bird counts, i-naturalist projects)

Continue to work with kʷikʷəƛ̓ əm First Nation, BC Hydro, Metro Vancouver, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and other partners through the kʷikʷəƛ̓ əm Salmon Restoration Program to restore sockeye salmon to the Coquitlam River Watershed

Develop a new citywide Invasive Species Management Plan and continue to remove invasive species through the Bad Seed Program

Decrease the use of pesticides citywide through enhanced educational programs and bylaw enforcement

Explore the designation and protection of wildlife corridors through the area and neighbourhood planning process where feasible and desirable

Collaboratively identify, protect, enhance and restore natural and urban elements of the regional green infrastructure network

Evaluate opportunities to reduce night-time light pollution to minimize impacts to wildlife

Identify opportunities to enhance the protection of nesting birds through existing City policies (e.g. City Watercourse Protection Development Permit requirements, subdivision Preliminary Layout Approval letters) that complement provincial and federal regulations

Continue to foster inter-governmental cooperation to collaboratively conserve species and ecosystems at risk, including participation on the provincially-led Species and Ecosystems at Risk Local Government Working Group and their related initiatives

Develop a citywide Urban Forest Management Plan that considers tree retention, stewardship, forest and ecosystem health, public safety and climate change impacts

Develop a citywide Urban Forest Management Plan that considers tree retention, stewardship, forest and ecosystem health, public safety and climate change impacts

Develop forest management plans for all key natural area parks

Develop forest management plans for all key natural area parks

Measure tree canopy cover percentages in developed neighbourhoods (Expand on the work completed by Metro Vancouver through the “Regional Tree Canopy Cover and Impervious Surfaces” analysis)

Identify and implement strategies to increase tree canopy cover at the neighbourhood level on private and public lands

Amend the Zoning Bylaw to extend Northeast Area tree replanting requirements citywide and re-evaluate requirements to ensure they are resilient to climate change

Increase tree planting initiatives on public lands and implement new tree planting programs on private lands (e.g. Adopt-ATree Program, incentives to plant large trees that sequester more carbon)

Prioritize planting of trees and vegetation that are resilient to climate change on public lands and support climate resilient tree planting on private lands through education and outreach

Identify opportunities to increase access and availability of quality greenspaces throughout the City (e.g. by acquiring parkland, planting street trees, creating “pocket parks”, encouraging backyard tree planting and engaging local residents in greening their neighbourhoods)

Enhance, maintain and increase parks, trails and walking/ cycling infrastructure in alignment with the City’s Master Trail Plan (e.g. sections providing linkages to larger trail systems or access from neighbourhoods to transportation hubs and commercial nodes are highest priority)

Implement the Coquitlam Parks Wayfinding Guidelines to improve connectivity of all neighbourhoods to the parks and trails system

Review the City’s urban wildlife education and enforcement programs and identify areas for enhancement and further collaboration with partners (e.g. Conservation Officer Service, neighbouring municipalities and citizen bear aware groups)

Provide education to prevent pest infestations and to encourage humane standards for treatment of pest issues that also eliminates the risk of secondary poisoning of wildlife

Participate in a collaborative working group with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and other local governments to support actions to protect wildlife from second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGAR) use

Create a best management guide and design specifications for wildlife resistant garbage and green waste storage in multifamily developments

Amend garbage and green waste storage and set out requirements in the solid waste and wildlife bylaws to include multi-family properties

Develop and implement a new Climate Action Plan that incorporates emerging best practice approaches and innovative technology, and prioritizes actions to achieve the City’s community and corporate climate change targets

Annually track and report on current community and corporate GHG emissions and monitor anticipated future scenarios through the use of GHG inventory and modelling tools

Advocate to regional, provincial and federal levels of government to improve measures to reduce GHGs through actions such as research, incentive programs, expansion of transit service, progressive building codes and strengthened legislation

Develop strategic and collaborative education opportunities to encourage the community to take action to address climate change (e.g. reduce energy use, reduce solid waste, invest in renewable on-site energy, participation in CleanBC incentive programs, planting shade trees)

Continue to limit idling of City vehicles and develop new community anti-idling requirements and an associated outreach campaign

Foster community-driven climate action projects and initiatives that contribute to community GHG reduction (e.g. Spirit of Coquitlam Grant Program, tree planting programs, Bad Seed program)

Develop policies and champion pilot projects to encourage renewable energy in civic projects and technology applications (e.g. solar-thermal water heating for outdoor pools, pilot solar powered mobile device charging stations in parks and solar parking pay stations, geothermal opportunity in the development of the Poirier Precinct Master Plan, micro hydropower generators in the water distribution network)

Connect residents to renewable energy resources and opportunities for home applications

Implement, track and report on the actions in the City’s Climate Adaptation Strategic Plan

Support local food systems initiatives (e.g. participation on the Tri-Cities Food Council)

Implement the new Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan and advance mutually supportive actions in the Climate Adaptation Strategic Plan to increase community wildfire preparedness and address wildfire climate risk events

2023 CEA Climate and Energy Action Award Nominee – This project involves the local application of Project Greenlight, which was created by the Vancouver Economic Commission to foster relationships between public sector organizations, businesses, and innovators to accelerate the local deployment of sustainability solutions. Coquitlam’s participation has generated more than 40 applications to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions and selected projects can receive pilot funding from the City’s Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP) allocation.

2016 CEA Climate and Energy Action Award Nominee

2016 CEA Climate and Energy Action Award Winner

2016 CEA Climate and Energy Action Award Honourable Mention on behalf of FortisBC, BC Hydro, Cities of Surrey, Vancouver and Coquitlam