Single-Family, Duplex and Townhouse: One on-site parking space per unit must have an energized outlet capable of providing Level 2 charging.
Multi-Unit Development: All off-street parking spaces must have energized outlets capable of providing Level 2 charging, excluding visitor parking.
https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/sustainable-saanich/climate-change/electric-vehicle-infrastructure-requirements.html

Zero-Carbon Zero (EL-4) beginning November 1, 2023

Part 3 MURBs 6 storeys or fewer: Zero-Carbon Zero (EL-4) beginning July 1, 2024

Part 3 Buildings over 6 storeys: Zero-Carbon Measure only (EL-1) May 1, 2023-Oct 31, 2024

Energy Step 3 for Part 3 mid-rise/wood-frame residential buildings (6 storeys and under)

Energy Step 2 (BCBC) for Part 3 high-rise/concrete residential buildings (over 6-storeys) and commercial buildings

Zero-Carbon Measure Only (EL-1) May 1, 2023-October 31, 2023

Part 3 MURBs 6 storeys or fewer: Energy Step 3 + Zero-Carbon Measure Only (EL-1) May 1, 2023-June 30, 2024

Part 3 Buildings over 6 storeys: Zero-Carbon Zero (EL-4) beginning November 1, 2024

Accelerate the implementation of the Active Transportation Plan

Pilot an electric bicycle incentive program

Expand the Active School Travel planning program

Improve bike parking at existing buildings

Explore integration between transit and other shared mobility providers

Explore integration between transit and other shared mobility providers

Support bike shares and other shared mobility services

Support lower speed limits on residential streets

Work with partners (VRTC, BC Transit) to accelerate service level improvement and increase transit mode share

Support increased residential density along public transit routes

Make transit travel time-competitive

Investigate and consider updating off-street parking requirements to support a mode shift towards active transportation

Advocate for increased funding for transit service expansion and improvement

Advocate for climate- informed ride hailing regulations

Work with BC Transit to incorporate latest best practices and new technology needs

Develop policies and resources for parking management and enforcement

Create a community-wide Electric Mobility Strategy

Require EV-ready infrastructure for new development

Support EV infrastructure retrofits in existing buildings

Expand public EV charging network

Optimize the use of public EV charging stations

Support “Right to Charge” legislation

Work with organizations in Saanich to reduce emissions from fleets

Identify and remove municipal barriers to high-performance buildings

Accelerate adoption of net-zero carbon new construction

Require new construction to achieve upper steps of the BC Energy Step Code by 2025

Support building industry capacity development

Encourage the adoption of low-carbon materials in new construction

Advocate for GHG performance metrics in the BC Building Code

Require energy benchmarking for new Part 3 buildings

Launch a Home Energy Retrofit Municipal Financing pilot project

Phase out oil heating by 2030

Carry out effective communications campaigns to promote conversion to renewable energy systems

Explore regulatory power to require efficiency and renewable energy upgrades

Increase top-up rebates for conversion from fossil fuel to renewable energy systems

Develop a comprehensive building retrofit strategy

Work with partners to support skills development

Advocate for long-term, effective rebate programs

Advocate for provincial support on property assessed clean energy financing

Work with industry partners to support renewable energy retrofits

Develop incentive tools to encourage commercial and multi-unit residential buildings to undertake deep energy retrofits

Work with the Province to prevent fuel switching from low-carbon to high-carbon energy sources

Participate in retrofit code development

Introduce voluntary energy benchmarking for existing buildings

Advocate for home energy labelling and disclosure

Support mandatory recommissioning for existing Part 3 buildings

Support mandatory energy and emissions benchmarking for existing Part 3 buildings

Support development of local Renewable Natural Gas production

Support the Province and utilities to produce sufficient renewable energy

Develop a renewable energy guide for residents

Work with the province and utilities to incentivize local renewable energy production

Develop strategies to preserve and enhance permeability and stormwater management

Develop a “programmed roof” policy

Advocate for the incorporation of climate adaptation considerations into the BC Building Code

Encourage building design or retrofit measures to reduce impacts from heat waves and poor air quality events

Consider a rainwater collection system requirement in new development

Encourage the implementation of engineered greywater systems

Include climate change considerations in the corporate asset management system

Update engineering design specifications to account for future climate projections

Conduct flood hazard planning

Accelerate the completion of a stormwater master plan with climate change considerations

Investigate on-site stormwater management practices on private lands

Complete sea-level rise mapping

Increase sea-level rise knowledge and adaptation capacity in the community

Develop a Coastal Adaptation Strategy

Reduce carbon emissions from local food production

Encourage residents to choose low-carbon foods and reduce food waste

Encourage food service establishments to reduce carbon emissions from their operations

Reduce single-use plastics

Develop and implement a Zero Waste Strategy

Work towards zero waste for large public events

Work with partners on circular economy initiatives

Mobilize residents and businesses towards “lighter living”

Advocate for expansion of extended producer responsibility programs

Improve monitoring of and compliance with a recyclable materials ban

Accelerate the implementation of Agriculture and Food Security Plan

Support an Agricultural Adaptation Strategy for Vancouver Island

Increase capacity for local food production

Increase adoption of water-wise agricultural practices

Double the rate of planting trees to enhance the urban forest

Increase stewardship tools for private land owners

Implement “Natural Intelligence” parks program

Develop an operational approach to tree retention and replacement during development

Protect and expand the urban forest

Develop and implement a Biodiversity Conservation Strategy

Expand, connect and restore natural areas

Partner with school districts on environmental education

Explore carbon dioxide removal measures with partners

Prevent planting and spread of invasive plants

Improve monitoring of ecosystem health

Develop principles for assisted migration

Improve compliance with new bylaws and policies

Evaluate services provided by natural assets

Develop a strategy to maintain services provided by natural assets

Retrofit municipal facilities to increase cooling and air filtration capabilities

Undertake urban heat mapping

Work with partners to ensure coordinated response during severe weather events

Update Wildfire Protection Plan and Interface Fire Hazard Development Permit Area

Develop Saanich-specific wildfire prevention materials

Work with service providers to vulnerable populations to develop adaptation strategies

Work with partners to minimize impacts from vector-borne diseases

Review severe weather protocols for vulnerable populations

Implement a tangible and hands-on neighborhood-level program

Host an annual climate fair

Provide educational programming and workshops

Carry out a communications campaign on urgent climate action

Host a Community Climate Collaborative

Develop an equity tool

Develop a Saanich climate information webpage

Seek opportunities to work with neighboring First Nations

Explore a bulk-purchase program

Develop a community grants program

Collaborate with researchers and post-secondary institutions

Work with the arts community

Establish a new Climate Action Reserve Fund

Include a climate alignment scorecard in reports to Council for development projects

Establish a carbon price policy

Create a climate leadership group

Develop a risk register and monitoring platform

Implement a Climate Friendly Commuter Program

Implement a training and capacity building program

Recognize innovation, successes and leadership

Develop a fleet strategy to reduce corporate emissions

Convert all light-duty vehicles to zero-emissions vehicles

Develop an e-bike fleet program

Review industry readiness to support medium-and heavy-duty fleet conversion pilot projects

Transition to highly efficient and renewably-powered municipal facilities

Pilot low-carbon materials in municipal new construction

Showcase efficient and renewably-powered municipal buildings

Model a low-carbon diet through corporate catering

Develop a corporate Zero Waste Strategy

Update Saanich Sustainable Procurement Guidelines

Accelerate the implementation of the Active Transportation Plan to, among other actions, build more sidewalks and bike lanes, improve intersection safety for vulnerable users, upgrade transit routes and stops, and incorporate active transportation facilities within development sites.

In partnership with the CRD and the Province, develop and implement a promotion and incentive program for electric bicycles for Saanich residents.

Expand the Ready, Step, Roll: Active School Travel Planning program to offer walking and cycling skills workshops for interested children and caregivers.

Explore ways to improve bike parking at existing industrial, commercial and multi-unit residential buildings for tenants and visitors.

Explore opportunities for integrated multimodal payment systems with BC Transit and other shared mobility providers such as bikeshares.

Support introduction or expansion of bike shares and other shared mobility services (e.g., scooters) in Saanich.

Support changes to provincial legislation to lower default speed limits on residential streets to improve safety for all transportation modes including pedestrians and cyclists.

Request that Victoria Regional Transit Commission and BC Transit accelerate service level improvement, expand the student pass program at a reduced price in collaboration with schools and/or school boards, and develop a universal pass program for major employers.

Develop policies and mechanisms through the Local Area Planning process to support increased residential density where appropriate along public transit routes, with a focus on high frequency corridors.

Decrease travel times for public transit trips through the use of technology or dedicated transit infrastructure where appropriate.

Investigate and consider updating off – street parking requirements to reduce motor vehicle parking spaces in areas well serviced by transit or within walking distance to a Centre or Village while maintaining or improving accessibility for those with mobility challenges.

2020 CEA Climate and Energy Action Award Winner

2023 CEA Climate and Energy Action Award winner – Even before the Government of BC announced its eBike incentive earlier this year, Saanich was the first municipality in BC to offer incentives to residents for new eBike purchases, with larger incentives for lower-income households. The pilot distributed more than 380 incentives, and Saanich subsequently partnered with researchers at UBC to assess the impact of the pilot project on GHG emissions and the cost-effectiveness of eBike purchase incentives as a GHG mitigation strategy. The final research results are expected in 2024.

2022 CEA Climate and Energy Action Award Winner – co-application with City of Victoria and District of Saanich

2023 CEA Climate and Energy Action Award Winner – This nomination showcases the work undertaken by the City of Victoria, District of Saanich, District of Central Saanich, and Capital Regional District to engage with building professionals and develop the policy and bylaw amendments necessary to adopt the Zero Carbon Step Code (ZCSC) before it was even rolled out by the Government of BC. As a result, the municipalities will be the first in BC to have the ZCSC take effect, and the RD will be the first regional government to adopt the ZCSC. Their collaboration will also provide industry with predictability over the long term.

2024 The Extreme Heat Information Portal consists of an interactive, online map and accompanying research providing a highly localized picture of heat vulnerability in the capital region. The map combines two original indices to show where demographic characteristics (such as heart disease, substance use disorder, low income, or living alone) overlap with building characteristics (such as age, height, dwelling type), showing areas where vulnerability to heat is heightened.

2024 Municipal revitalization tax exemptions are commonly used to preserve heritage districts and support downtown revitalization. In 2024, the City of Victoria and the District of Saanich launched BC’s first revitalization tax exemption designed to encourage electrification of heating and hot water in commercial, multi-unit residential, and mixed-use buildings.