Built to BC Building Code

Built to BC Building Code

Building permit applications for new residential buildings applied for on or after January 1, 2023, must comply with the EV charging infrastructure requirements as adopted by the City of Kamloops.

Identify priority areas to support infill projects that further increase housing density, mixed uses, and access to transit and active transportation infrastructure in existing neighbourhood centres.

Increase incentives to promote infill development (e.g. revitalization tax exemptions and reduced development cost charges [DCCs]).

Increase availability of affordable market housing options that also contribute to higher density (e.g. density bonus for rental-only multi-family buildings).

Promote the development of legal residential suites when new homes are being constructed in areas where suites are permitted.

Promote ground-oriented housing such as townhouses, row houses, multi-plexes and small lot residential infill.

Review secondary suite policy and consider guidelines for permitting a secondary suite and an accessory dwelling unit (e.g. carriage suite or garden suite) on a single-family lot in designated areas.

Require developers to meet a higher BC Energy Step Code step than regulated and/or meet a specified GHG intensity.

Require developers to install one charging station (capable of Level 2 charging) for every two stalls of off-street parking in single-family developments, in addition to any city-wide EV-ready policy

Increase DCCs for developments in peripheral areas (suburban and rural) to address the costs of required service upgrades or extensions.

Explore regulatory options to limit new natural gas servicing in favour of all-electric power and/or on-site renewable energy.

Build out a connected active transportation network by 2030, starting with completing connections along north-south and east-west corridors, followed by filling in any gaps to ensure key feeder connections to core routes.

Increase the availability of publicly accessible, secure, end-of-trip bike storage amenities in major neighbourhood centres and other key destinations.

Develop and implement an incentive program for E-bike/cargo bike purchases as per the Electric Vehicle (EV) and E-Bike Strategy.

Improve infrastructure and amenities (e.g. seating, shelters, and real-time bus arrival information) to encourage transit use.

Identify light rail transit (LRT) rights-of-way to be reserved for future iterations of the transit network (i.e. the sequential development of future HOV lanes to be replaced by bus only lanes and eventual LRT development).

Develop a Frequent Transit Strategy with BC Transit that explores options such as electric bus rapid transit (eBRT) to connect higher-density areas and key destinations.

Pursue opportunities to convert select street space (temporarily at first) into areas that prioritize pedestrian-only or pedestrian-friendly areas with public amenities such as trees and gardens, seating, art installations, and bike parking and with vehicle access limited to local residents, businesses, and emergency vehicles.

Identify suitable streets to implement reduced road width initiatives that contribute to traffic calming and convert space for community benefit (e.g. active transportation infrastructure, parks, community gardens, daycares, or affordable housing).

Implement low-traffic neighbourhood projects that extend pedestrian zones to multiple urban blocks (with emergency vehicle access only).

Strategically promote targeted neighbourhood transportation demand management (TDM) programs to residents (e.g. promote uptake of new active transportation infrastructure or increased transit service levels to reduce localized congestion areas and avoid road widening).

Develop and promote TDM measures for employers city-wide, including facilitating the use of sustainable transportation options and reducing the need for travel (i.e. through virtual meetings, flexible work hours, and work-from-home options).

Review Parking Management Plan (to be completed in 2021) measures to encourage the use of sustainable transportation options as active transportation infrastructure and transit service levels improve.

Explore business models for car-share options and prioritize opportunities to integrate plug-in hybrid and EVs into car sharing fleets.

Encourage the use of established car sharing services in new developments in higher-density urban areas to reduce parking space requirements.

Implement the City’s EV and E-bike Strategy, prioritizing support for home, workplace and public EV charging infrastructure.

Encourage private sector investment in new EV charging infrastructure.

Implement EV and E-bike Strategy actions that encourage the electrification of commercial fleets

Promote the use of renewable, low-carbon fuels (e.g. biofuel, hydrogen, and fuel cell technology) in municipal or commercial fleets, where electrification options are not available or feasible.

Identify low-carbon urban freight and last-mile delivery logistics opportunities as part of the proposed Truck Route Study to reduce traffic and encourage the
adoption of smaller and cleaner delivery vehicles, including electric cargo vans and cargo bikes.

Develop zero-emissions delivery zones in select commercial areas of the city and incentivize the use of smaller, cleaner vehicles (e.g. e-cargo bikes, electric delivery vans) for last-mile delivery.

Develop a strategy to implement the higher steps of the BC Energy Step Code in advance of the provincial schedule allowing for alternative compliance pathways (e.g. lower steps for developments using a low-carbon energy system and/or meeting a specified GHG intensity). Include provisions for new single-family homes with larger than average floor areas (e.g. ≥ 325 m2) to exceed standard requirements.

Develop municipal incentive programs that “top up” existing government and utility-based rebate programs for high-performance buildings and low-carbon energy systems, etc.

Build local capacity in high-performance construction and low-carbon energy systems in partnership with the building industry and TRU.

Partner with education and capacity-building organizations (e.g. TRU and the Canadian Home Builders’ Association [CHBA] Central Interior) to provide industry training on low-carbon energy systems, such as heat pump technology and installation, and develop local case studies and demonstration projects.

Implement a residential organics collection program, establishing a curbside service before expanding to include multi-family buildings.

Support the Thompson-Nicola Regional District’s implementation of an organics disposal ban (e.g. by requiring collection of commercial organics).

Deliver food waste reduction campaigns and support food recovery programs that redistribute food to people in need.

Evaluate landfill gas capture rates and potential uses post implementation of organics collection.

Develop a City Waste Reduction Strategy with measurable targets for each waste stream (e.g. construction and demolition, yard waste, plastics, paper/cardboard, and metals).

Support the Thompson-Nicola Regional District’s implementation of a landfill disposal ban on recyclable materials (e.g. require all cardboard to be recycled).

Support circular economy initiatives that keep products and materials in use, such as repair hubs, and upcycling and resource recovery social enterprises that generate added value out of salvaged materials.

Facilitate discussions with local industries and stakeholders to determine whether waste or by-products of one industry can be productively utilized by another industry

Promote opportunities for on-site renewable energy generation at building scale (e.g. solar PV/ thermal systems and geoexchange).

Explore incentives, bulk purchase programs and financing models (e.g. PACE) to support the adoption of renewable energy technologies.

Support not-for-profit or cooperative renewable energy initiatives (e.g. a community solar garden).

Explore opportunities for incorporating low-carbon energy distribution at neighbourhood scale (e.g. district energy system).

Investigate waste-to-energy opportunities from organic waste or other available feedstock.

Support research, start-ups, and technology innovation (e.g. flexible smart grid technology and electric vehicle [EV] battery reuse/recycling).

Develop and implement corporate energy and emissions policies and strategies to increase energy efficiency and phase out fossil fuel use in new and existing civic buildings and infrastructure.

Develop and implement a Green Fleet Strategy that reduces overall vehicle use, prioritizes the use of zero-emissions fleet vehicles and/or renewable transportation fuels, and includes provisions for reducing emissions from tools and equipment.

Develop programs and end-of-trip amenities to encourage employees to use transit, low-carbon, and active transportation modes for commuting and work-related travel.

Embed climate action considerations into the supplemental budget request process and, where possible, identify related metrics (i.e. key performance indicators).

Establish a carbon budget framework, internal carbon price, and/or other tools that apply a climate lens to budget planning and decision making and support accountability for meeting corporate emissions reduction targets.

Review and update the Sustainable Procurement Policy

Develop and deliver campaigns that educate about climate change and how residents and businesses can reduce GHG emissions, including partnerships with the arts community (e.g. theatre, film, and art exhibits on climate action).

Partner with education providers to deliver campaigns on climate action that foster a culture of sustainability amongst youth (e.g. supporting curriculum development with School District No. 73).

Set a new target of 30% by 2050 while continuing current progress towards increasing the city’s tree canopy cover to 20% by 2036.

Integrate broader local ecosystems (e.g. grasslands) and climate change adaptation considerations into an update of the Urban Forest Management Strategy, which currently focuses on trees.

Provide public education to encourage landscaping and gardening using native species, plants that attract pollinators, intergrated pest management, and Firesmart landscaping practices in wildland/urban interface areas.

Undertake ecosystem restoration projects on City-owned land (e.g. wetland restoration and creation of wildlife habitat using native plants).

Encourage investments in local biodiversity conservation projects that also support carbon sequestration (i.e. grasslands conservation and native tree plantings).

Support regenerative agricultural practices that increase soil carbon storage (e.g. through education and partnering on pilot projects on City-owned land).

Undertake new green infrastructure pilot projects to trial emerging techniques (e.g. more cost-effective ways of ensuring adequate soil volumes for optimal plant growth) and integrate successful measures into infrastructure and development projects on public lands.

Update street standards to incorporate requirements for street trees, native vegetation, sufficient soil volumes, and other green infrastructure to promote long-term plant health, urban cooling, and rain water retention.

Update the City’s Landscape Guidelines to ensure that landscaping developed on City rights-of-way (e.g. boulevards) use green infrastructure technologies, support the City’s tree canopy goals and use sufficient soil volumes and native vegetation where appropriate.

2023 CEA Climate and Energy Action Award Nominee – Together with community groups, the local school district, and the Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc First Nation, the City of Kamloops enhanced a community park and trail to provide experiences and education related to climate change. This includes interpretive signage that features suggested actions and Secwe̓pemc traditional knowledge, a community garden, an outdoor amphitheatre for schools and other community groups, and numerous options for physical activity – all adjacent to a community centre that is fully powered by a visible solar array.

2021 CEA Climate and Energy Action Award Nominee

2022 CEA Climate and Energy Action Award Nominee