Residential: Energy Step 3 + Zero-Carbon measure only (EL-1 – required for all new construction in BC as of March 10, 202) from January 01, 2024 to December 31 2024

Commercial: BCBC Building Code + Zero Carbon Measure only (EL-1 – required for all new construction in BC as of March 10, 202) from January 01, 2024 to December 31 2024

Energy Step 5 + Zero-Carbon Measure Only (EL-1 – required for all new construction in BC as of March 10, 202), OR:
Energy Step 3 (BCBC) + Zero Carbon Zero (EL-4) from January 01, 2024 to December 31 2024

Starting April 1, 2019, all new buildings that contain at least one residential unit will be required to install a Level 2 (208 to 240 volt) energized outlet to the residential parking spaces.
Note that the addition of a new secondary suite within an existing single detached home does not require the addition of an energized outlet.
While visitor parking stalls are also excluded from this requirement, the City’s updated Development Permit Area (DPA) guidelines recommend that provision of EV charging infrastructure also be considered for visitor spaces in multi-unit developments.
These requirements were adopted by City Council on October 1, 2018, and are now part of Section 100 of the Zoning Bylaw.

Energy Step 5 + Zero-Carbon Moderate (EL-2 ),
OR: Energy Step 4 + Zero-Carbon Zero (EL-4) beginning January 01, 2025

Energy Step 5 + Zero-Carbon Zero (EL-4) beginning January 01, 2027

Residential: Energy Step 4 + Zero-Carbon measure only (EL-1- required for all new construction in BC as of March 10, 2025), OR: Energy Step 3 + Zero Carbon Zero (EL-4) beginning January 01, 2025

Commercial: Energy Step 3 + Zero Carbon Measure only (EL-1 – required for all new construction in BC as of March 10, 2025), OR: Energy Step 2 (BCBC) + Zero Carbon Zero (EL-4 beginning January 01, 2025

Residential: Energy Step 4 + Zero-Carbon Zero (EL-4) beginning January 01, 2027

Commercial: Energy Step 3 + Zero Carbon Zero (EL-4) beginning January 01, 2027

Bylaw title: Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Amendment Bylaw (Electric Vehicle Ready Requirements for New, Non-Residential Buildings) No. 8494, 2024

Summary: As of January 1, 2025, for new buildings (except hotels) that contain at least 100 square meters of non-residential floor area (such as commercial, institutional, and industrial uses), 50% of provided off-street parking spaces must be EV Ready. EV Ready means providing an electrical outlet at the parking space capable of providing Level 2 EV Charging. Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), also known as EV chargers, are not required to be installed, however, they are encouraged.

For hotels, 100% of provided off-street parking spaces must be EV Ready as their use is considered more residential in nature.

Description:
a) a minimum of 40% of the provided non-residential off-street parking spaces shall provide an Energized Level 2 outlet, or higher, with or without an Electric Vehicle Energy Management System; b) a minimum of 10% of the provided non-residential off-street parking spaces shall provide an Energized Level 2 outlet, or higher, without an Electric Vehicle Energy Management System; c) all provided accessible off-street parking spaces shall provide an Energized Level 2 outlet, or higher. A minimum of 20% of provided accessible off-street parking spaces shall provide an Energized Level 2 outlet, or higher, without an Electric Vehicle Energy Management System; and
d) All provided off-street parking spaces for car share vehicles shall provide an Energized Level 2 outlet, or higher, without an Electric Vehicle Energy Management System.”

Continue to implement the Official Community Plan, including:
a. pursuing complete
communities with
transit-supportive
densities and land use
mixes; and
b. enabling transit-oriented
development in the
downtown and near
SkyTrain stations.

Continue to prioritize sustainable transportation action implementation from the Master Transportation Plan, including:
a. rapidly completing
a network of active
transportation
infrastructure;
b. supporting transit
use by improving
customer facilities
and information, and
exploring transit priority
measures; and
c. supporting
transportation demand
management initiatives
which promote
shifts to sustainable
transportation and
a reduction in single
occupancy vehicle trips

Review the Zoning Bylaw, Development Permit Area guidelines, and other policies and regulations to directly or indirectly reduce demand for personal vehicles, for example by changing from parking minimums to maximums.

Implement the Regional Greenway and Major Bikeway Networks within New Westminster, in collaboration with Metro Vancouver and TransLink.

Advocate for and support implementation of TransLink’s regional Transport 2050 plan, including: a. expanding frequent transit service, and improving service along the Major Transit Network (development of rapid bus along 8th Street, and capacity relief measures on the Expo SkyTrain line); and b. improving affordability, accessibility, and safety of transit and active transportation for all community members

Explore holding car-free days and creating car-free areas.

Advocate for more exploration of mobility pricing or road use charges, in collaboration with Metro Vancouver and TransLink.

Accelerate EV and eMicromobility (e-bikes, etc.) adoption by implementing the eMobility Strategy.

Support the achievement of TransLink’s regional Transport 2050 goal of transitioning to zero emission vehicles, including by:
a. Increasing availability
and access to electric
bikes, scooters, and
other forms of electric
micromobility;
b. accelerating the
electrification of light-duty passenger vehicles;
and
c. supporting the
transition of medium
and heavy-duty vehicles
to low emissions in the
short-term and zero
emissions over the
long-term.

Support TransLink in implementing the 2050 Low Carbon Fleet Strategy to advance battery electric bus service in New Westminster.

Explore partnering with TransLink, Metro Vancouver, or other agencies as appropriate, to establish zero emissions vehicle zones in which access is limited to persons using active transportation modes and zero emissions vehicles only

Show leadership by continuing to transition to an energy efficient and lowcarbon corporate fleet, as directed by the Corporate Energy and Emissions Reduction Strategy (CEERS).

Collaborate with Metro Vancouver and other partners to advocate to senior governments to support the transition to zero emissions medium and heavy duty vehicles.

Collaborate with Metro Vancouver and other partners to explore opportunities to reduce emissions from deliveries, including online deliveries, by supporting fleet transitions to zero emissions, off-peak deliveries, small urban consolidation centres, and cargo bike deliveries.

Increase the supports and programs for energy retrofits for existing residential, institutional, commercial, and industrial buildings, including by:
a. prioritizing the unique retrofit
needs of existing multi-unit residential buildings,
especially rental buildings;
b. focusing on the least efficient
building stock (pre-1980);
c. adapting retrofit strategies
to work with heritage and
character buildings;
d. collecting and analyzing
energy and spatial data of
existing buildings to identify
priority building archetypes
and optimal strategies to
support energy retrofits;
e. exploring innovative financing
mechanisms and tools to
support retrofits (e.g. on-bill
financing, green revolving
load funds, or Property
Assessed Clean Energy
Financing (PACE)); and
f. exploring one-stop-shop models of retrofit
management.

Advocate to senior government and agencies to increase incentives and financing programs for energy retrofits, particularly for multi-unit residential buildings.

Explore incentivizing transitioning from fossil fuels to low carbon energy sources, and when legislation changes, regulate fuel sources in existing buildings.

Review the City’s regulatory and policy context for opportunities to better incentivize energy retrofits in exchange for additional density or other benefits, where appropriate.

Continue to pursue heritage retention and revitalization where appropriate, to efficiently use energy and resources through adaptive reuse of buildings.

Incentivize low carbon energy systems in new buildings, including by implementing a two option framework for Step Code compliance for Part 9 buildings (smaller residential buildings) in 2023 (allowing construction either to Step 5, or to Step 3 with installation of or connection to a low carbon energy system).

As legislation changes to allow fuel sources to be regulated through GHG intensity, ensure City regulations require low carbon energy sources for new buildings.

Require maximum BC Energy Step Code tier for residential and nonresidential buildings before 2030.

Identify appropriate performance standards for institutional and industrial buildings, and encourage meeting these standards through policy.

Continue to implement the Official Community Plan, including expanding infill housing options where appropriate and enabling more energy efficient housing typologies.

Continue to implement the Official Community Plan, including expanding infill housing options where appropriate and enabling more energy efficient housing typologies.

Explore ways to define lowcarbon energy systems to include systems such as electric heat pumps, connection to lowcarbon district energy, or on-site renewable energy, but exclude fuels such as RNG; and advocate to the Province for a similar approach in provincial legislation.

Explore ways to define lowcarbon energy systems to include systems such as electric heat pumps, connection to lowcarbon district energy, or on-site renewable energy, but exclude fuels such as RNG; and advocate to the Province for a similar approach in provincial legislation.

Continue to support and participate in pilot projects targeting energy performance improvements that are advanced by partners, the community, or the development sector, and assist in disseminating lessons learned.

Continue to support and participate in pilot projects targeting energy performance improvements that are advanced by partners, the community, or the development sector, and assist in disseminating lessons learned.

Review the Zoning Bylaw, Development Permit Area guidelines, and other policies and regulations to remove any remaining barriers, and to further incentivize energy efficiency and GHG emission reductions.

Review the Zoning Bylaw, Development Permit Area guidelines, and other policies and regulations to remove any remaining barriers, and to further incentivize energy efficiency and GHG emission reductions.

Continue to offer educational opportunities to the building industry, and explore ways to support industry training to enable adaptation to high performance building standards and lead the way on innovative buildings.

Continue to offer educational opportunities to the building industry, and explore ways to support industry training to enable adaptation to high performance building standards and lead the way on innovative buildings.

Continue to demonstrate leadership through high energy performance City facilities (new and retrofitted) constructed with low embodied carbon materials, as directed by CEERS.

Advocate to the Province for the development of a mandatory energy labelling and benchmarking program for buildings and, in the interim, explore tools the City can use to encourage voluntary energy disclosure.

Advocate to the Province for the development of a mandatory energy labelling and benchmarking program for buildings and, in the interim, explore tools the City can use to encourage voluntary energy disclosure.

Continue to implement and expand on educational campaigns to encourage and raise awareness about energy conservation, including providing additional information on utility bills.

Encourage the use of smart technology to better manage energy usage (e.g., smart thermostats).

Collect and share resources on energy conservation programs developed by BC Hydro and other partners to build knowledge and capacity among commercial and institutional building Electric Utility customers to reduce their energy consumption.

Work with Electric Utility and BC Hydro to implement energy conservation and demand management strategies, including continuing to ensure New Westminster customers have access to programs offered by BC Hydro or an equivalent program offered by the City.

Evaluate New West Electric rate structure and explore development of a lowincome home energy assistance program that assists eligible households with their heating and cooling costs, weatherization, and energyrelated home repairs.

Continue to lead by example with phasing out the use of fossil fuels in City hand-held landscaping equipment and explore further regulating their use for personal and commercial purposes in the community

Implement the strategies of CEERS related to formalizing the internal application of carbon pricing as part of the City’s internal processes and adopting a procurement policy that considers energy and emissions.

Advocate to senior levels of government to adjust carbon pricing over time, or consider a regional carbon price supplement, to prompt industry emissions reduction.

Complete a renewable energy study that identifies viable supply sources and a prioritized list of initiatives.

Explore how to encourage cost effective, on-site renewable energy generation in new and existing buildings through incentives and policy tools, such as preferential netmetering rates.

Explore opportunities to expand urban solar gardens that enable community members to invest in solar projects.

Explore the viability of extending Sapperton’s district energy system or developing new systems as new opportunities arise.

Explore opportunities to encourage on-site waste heat recovery systems in buildings with a net positive internal rate of return.

Assess the business case and feasibility of energy storage within the City’s existing grid.

Explore opportunities to partner on a pilot of a solar-battery demonstration project on a building.

Conduct feasibility studies that test low-carbon backup power systems to reduce reliance on fossil fuel backup power generators.

Continue to explore upgrading electrical metering equipment with advanced metering infrastructure to allow community members to better monitor and assess their energy use.

Support senior government action on reducing use of single use plastics and packaging, and explore implementing changes locally.

Support and amplify waste reduction and diversion educational programs delivered by Metro Vancouver and other partners (e.g. community groups supported through City grants).

Explore opportunities to host or support regular waste reduction events such as zero waste days, community repair events, or neighbourhood garage sales.

Continue to expand and improve household recycling and yard and food scraps diversion and collection programs.

Continue to require recycling and organics facilities on site in multi-unit residential, industrial, commercial, and institutional buildings, and consider expanding guidelines to improve the convenience and experience of recycling and organics storage and pick-up.

Work with businesses to reduce waste and divert organics from restaurants, the tourism industry, and the commercial sector overall.

Expand green demolition by reviewing and increasing requirements for construction waste diversion, encouraging deconstruction, salvaging, and improving enforcement for better compliance.

Support Metro Vancouver in its update to and implementation of the Regional Solid and Liquid Waste Management Plans, and
advocate for a stronger climate lens in these regional plans, including:
a. Applying an emissions
reduction lens to efforts
to strengthen the market
for recycling and recycled
materials, expand Extended
Producer Responsibility, and
pursue circular economy
opportunities; and
Enhanced GHG emissions b.
capturing methane (biogas)
from landfills, expanding low
emissions waste-to-energy
facilities as appropriate, and
reducing emissions from
organics.

Collaborate with Metro Vancouver and regional municipalities to coordinate development of a circular economy, including the potential development of a regional strategy.

Engage with local businesses in circular economy initiatives and support the adoption of circular economy approaches in the materials use, design, manufacturing, transport, retailing, and repurposing of products and services.

Develop an adaptation strategy that outlines principles and actions to mitigate climate related risks and build climate resilience, emphasizing natural capital and opportunities for ecological benefits.

Continue to implement the Integrated Stormwater Management Plan, including: a. creating additional resources and enhanced guidelines for green infrastructure on private property; and b. expanding the use of green infrastructure on public lands.

Continue to implement the Urban Forest Management Strategy and Biodiversity Strategy, including:
a. incentivizing community
members to install
habitat features and
plant trees;
b. further encouraging
developers and builders
to integrate green spaces
into developments;
c. integrating natural
systems into the public
realm, such as parks,
greenways, and active
transportation corridors;
and
d. pursuing land acquisition
and restoration to
expand natural park
areas.

Explore opportunities to support sustainable local food systems, such as by:
a. continuing to encourage
communal gardens and
private balcony or roof
gardens in new multi-unit residential buildings;
b. reviewing regulations
to remove barriers to
urban farming; and
c. supporting local food
procurement and
farmers markets.

Seek opportunities to reduce water consumption by promoting grey water reuse and the use of technologies such as timers and leak detectors by residents and businesses.

Explore opportunities to increase the City’s water pumping efficiency

2022 CEA Climate and Energy Action Award Nominee

2019 CEA Climate and Energy Action Award Nominee

60% of all trips within the city are by sustainable modes of transportation
(walking, biking, rolling, transit, and riding in multi-occupant shared vehicles)

93% of new light-duty vehicle sales are zero-emission vehicles.

80% of all trips within the city are by sustainable modes of transportation.

100% of vehicles (sales and in use) are zero emissions models.

Retrofit 50% of existing buildings to achieve 50% heating demand reduction
and switch space and water heating to electric.

All new buildings meet the highest tier of the BC Energy Step Code.

All new buildings use low-carbon energy systems.

Retrofit 95% of existing buildings to achieve 50% heating demand reduction
and switch space and water heating to electric.

All new buildings are net-zero emissions.

Per capita energy demand is reduced by 30% from 2016 levels

2% of electricity is generated from local and renewable sources of energy.

Per capita energy demand is reduced 60% from 2016 levels.

5% of electricity is generated from local and renewable sources of energy.

Annual waste reaching landfills is reduced by 5% from 2016 levels.

Annual waste reaching landfills is reduced by 20% from 2016 levels.

Urban forest canopy cover is increased to 27%.

Urban forest canopy cover is maintained at 27%.

10% of the City’s land base is protected as natural park area.

Believed to be Canada’s first all-electric aquatic facility, it emits 92% fewer GHGs than the previous community pool. Long-term operational efficiency will be delivered via passive design, natural ventilation, orientation to maximize daylight, and advanced mechanical systems using heat pumps, solar photovoltaics, and energy recovery technologies. More than 3,000 residents contributed their input during an extensive engagement process.

City of New Westminster has updated its Zoning Bylaw to require that 50% of parking spaces in new, non-residential buildings be EV Ready, meaning that they are pre-wired to support Level 2 chargers. This policy aims to ensure infrastructure is built during the most cost-effective stage in a building’s life cycle, enabling easier EV charger expansion and supporting greater EV adoption.

This program is a free education and energy conservation program that helps diverse and multilingual communities save energy, save money, and improve the comfort and safety of their homes. The program produces a variety of information in accessible formats designed for underrepresented communities such as immigrants, newcomers, and low-income households.

After declaring a climate emergency in 2019, the City of New Westminster established a Climate Action Reserve Fund for projects that support the City in achieving its climate goals. The Climate Action Decision Making Framework (CADMF) was developed from 2023 to 2024 and is being implemented in 2025. It enables staff to evaluate and rank projects using consistent criteria, including greenhouse gas reduction, equity and reconciliation impacts, readiness, and co-benefits such as health or mobility improvements.

The City of Richmond’s Embodied Carbon Industry Engagement Program (IEP) connects builders, suppliers, policymakers, and designers to collaborate on reducing emissions from construction materials. Its online resource and engagement events bring people together to share practical tools and real-life examples. More than 40 speakers have been featured in various events, some of which have attracted more than 100 participants. There have also been 17 cross-government dialogues to foster regional alignment.