Green Buildings: Builders

The Township of Langley is committed to working together with builders to continuously improve our green building practices and processes. If you have any questions about the BC Energy Step Code or the Township’s GHG DPAs, please reach out to us at greenbuildings@tol.ca.

BC Energy Step Code in the Township of Langley

The BC Energy Step Code (Step Code) is a provincial code that requires each new building to meet a certain step (or level) of increased energy efficiency, which will gradually lead to “net-zero energy ready” construction by 2032.

The Township of Langley voluntarily adopted the Step Code in 2019 and as of April 1^st, 2024, is at Step 4 of the Energy Step Code and EL-2 of the Zero Carbon Step Code for all new Part 9 residential construction. All Part 3 residential construction is required to meet Step 3. Find updates on incoming Bylaw changes, requirements, and compliance information/documentation on this webpage.

Bylaw changes effective April 1, 2025

Please see updates to Building Bylaw 4642, pertaining to BC Energy Step Code and Zero Carbon Step Code compliance for Part 9 residential buildings.

Building classification	April 1, 2025
Part 9 – Residential Occupancy	Step 4 + EL-3

Current requirements
Building classification	Energy step required	Zero Carbon EL required
Part 3 Residential	3	N/A
Part 9 Residential	4	EL-2
Assembly, as described in Table 10.2.3.3-A to D	2	N/A
Treatment, as described in Table 10.2.3.3-E	2	N/A
Care, as described in Table 10.2.3.3 - F	2	N/A
Offices as described in Table 10.2.3.3-I	2	N/A
Other Part 3 Business and Personal Service or Mercantile Occupancies	2	N/A

For projects that are in-stream with a precursor application on the date this bylaw is adopted, this bylaw would have no effect with respect to that construction provided that the building permit authorizing the construction is issued within a specified time frame after the date this bylaw is adopted.

Energy Compliance

This flowchart will help the builders to understand the process of building to Step Code and building in the GHG DP areas in the Township.

If you have any questions regarding energy compliance, email greenbuildings@tol.ca or call the Building department at 604-533-6018.

For all buildings, the Township of Langley requires the Abbotsford weather file to be used for energy simulations. The Heating Degree Days (HDD) of 2,700 for Langley, as per Table C-2 in Division B - Appendix C of the BC Building Code shall be used for adjusted TEDI calculations.

Please note, we are aware of a feature in HOT2000 software where the weather file is automatically selected based on the address of the building. If Abbotsford is not automatically selected, please enter it in manually.

Part 9 - Permit Documentation for energy compliance

The below table summarizes the required documentation at the Building Permit stage and Occupancy Permit stage for all buildings showing compliance with Section 9.36 Energy Efficiency of the BC Building Code 2018 (Rev 5):

Documentation at Building Permit for 9.36.6 Compliance
Compliance Path	9.36.5 to meet Step Code targets	Passive House Planning Package	ERS % improvement met and/or % Heat Loss Reduction met	ERS Step Code targets met	NECB
Pre-Construction BC Step Code Compliance Checklist	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
Proposed House H2K Report	Required for HOT2000 modeling software		Required	Required
Reference House H2K Report			Required
Homeowner Information Sheet			Required	Required
Passive House Report		Required
Custom Energy Modeling Report	Required for any other modeling software
Air barrier details on drawings	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
Energy Statement on Drawings	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required

Documentation at Occupancy Permit for 9.36.6 Compliance
Compliance Path	9.36.5 to meet Step Code targets	Passive House Planning Package	ERS % improvement met and/or % Heat Loss Reduction met	ERS Step Code targets met	NECB
As-built BC Step Code Compliance Checklist	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
As-built House H2K Report	Required for HOT2000 modeling software		Required	Required
Reference House H2K Report			Required
Homeowner Information Sheet			Required	Required
Passive House Report		Required
Custom Energy Modeling Report	Required for any other modeling software

Part 3 - Permit Documentation for energy compliance

The following table summarizes the required documentation at the building permit stage and occupancy permit stage for buildings showing compliance with 10.2.3 Energy Step Code of the BC Building Code 2018:

Documents	At Building Permit	At Occupancy Permit
Part 3 Building Energy Design Checklist	Required	Required
Energy Modeling Report	Required
Thermal Bridging Calculations	Required
Energy Statement on Drawings (Sample statements)	Required
Energy Report indicating the air leakage as tested and derived values in accordance with 10.2.3.4 and 10.2.3.5 of the BC Building Code 2018 (Airtightness test report, for example)		Required

All other Part 3 buildings

For buildings showing compliance with Section 10.2 Energy Efficiency, except for Subsection 10.2.3 of the BC Building Code 2018, the following documentation is required at building permit stage:

Energy Design Intent letter
Energy statement on all permit drawings (sample energy statements)
Prescriptive forms (NECB checklist, ASHRAE Compliance forms)
Trade-off Report (if applicable, e.g. COMCheck or NECB Simple Trade-off Report)
Energy modeling report (if applicable, for performance-path projects)

Rebates and incentives - Township of Langley GBRP

How to apply for the Green Building Rebate Program

The Township’s Green Building Rebate Program incentivizes high performance new and existing buildings. Rebates for new construction and renovations are outlined below:

Up to $350	Incentives for mid-construction blower door testing. The Step Code has pass/fail airtightness targets for Part 9 buildings. Incentives are available to offset the cost of performing an additional pre-drywall blower door test once the air barrier is in place, but can still be repaired.
Up to $300	A subsidized Step Code plan review. An incentive is available to assist with the costs of energy modeling while working with an Energy Advisor on Part 9 Step Code Step 5 projects.
Up to $1500	Financial incentives for new homes built to the Upper Steps (single-family dwellings brochure; multi-family dwellings brochure). Are you interested in being an energy-efficiency leader? Part 9 residential buildings built to Step 5 of the Step Code qualify for additional incentives.
Up to $750	A financial rebate on your building permit. By successfully renovating an energy efficient home, you may be eligible for a building permit rebate from the Township, as well as other industry incentives for both renovations and new builds.

To apply follow these steps:

New construction

At the start of the building design process, hire an Energy Advisor. View NRCan’s list of service providers at nrcan.gc.ca/homes.
When you apply for your building permit, receive the New Construction GBRP referral form.
Build your home to the meet the targeted level of the BC Energy Step Code and the Township’s GHG DPA requirements (if applicable).
Contact your Energy Advisor to complete the final as-built BC Energy Compliance report.
Within 90 days of final inspection, submit the New Construction referral form, invoices, and EnerGuide and energy modelling (ie, HOT2000) documentation to the Township of Langley.

Renovation

Complete a pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation with an Energy Advisor. View NRCan’s list of service providers at nrcan.gc.ca/homes.
When you apply for your building permit, receive the Renovation GBRP referral form.
Complete your home renovation incorporating Energy Advisor recommended energy improvements.
Contact your Energy Advisor to complete a post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation.
Within 90 days of final inspection, submit the Renovation referral form, invoices, and EnerGuide documentation to the Township of Langley.

The below flowcharts outline the GBRP process at the Township:

Please email greenbuildings@tol.ca or phone 604-533-6018 for more information.

Grants, Rebates, and Incentives - external

All grants, rebates and incentives are subject to availability. Confirm availability and/or eligibility with the appropriate rebate provider.

Grants to address housing supply challenges

Grants are now available from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for innovative solutions to improve construction-related barriers to housing supply. Learn more.

New construction rebates

CleanBC Better Homes New Construction Program: The CleanBC Better Homes New Construction Program provides rebates of up to $15,000 for the construction of new, high-performance, electric homes. Through the CleanBC plan, the Province is supporting the adoption of the BC Energy Step Code and making energy efficient, climate-friendly homes more affordable and accessible for British Columbians.

The CleanBC Better Homes New Construction Program is administered by CleanBC. To learn more, visit their New Construction Program.

The Green Building Rebate Program is administered by the Township of Langley. For more information on the Township’s Green Building Rebate Program, open the dropdown above, Rebates and incentives – Township of Langley GBRP.

Renovation rebates

The federal and provincial governments are offering thousands of dollars in rebates for energy efficient home upgrades. Eligible projects include insulation, water heating, windows, and space heating for your home. The table below provides high-level information on these rebates; please visit program websites for the most up-to-date information.

CleanBC Better Homes

Rebates: Through the provincial Better Homes BC program, up to $6,000 is available to switch from natural gas, propane or oil heating to an electric heat pump. Click on the table below to see this and other energy efficiency rebates.

CleanBC BetterHomes Rebates

Interest-free Financing: Can’t afford a home retrofit right now? The CleanBC Better Homes Low-Interest Financing Program provides loans of up to $40,000 with a promotional interest rate of 0% for switching from a fossil fuel (oil, propane, natural gas) heating system to an electric heat pump.

Questions? Contact CleanBC - BetterHomesBC Energy Coach hotline at 1-844-881-9790 or email them.

Canada Greener Homes Grant logo

Canada Greener Homes Grant

Rebates: A maximum of $600 for energy evaluations and $5,000 for home upgrades is available ($5,600 total in grants).

Interest-free Financing: An interest-free loan program is also available, providing homeowners with up to $40,000 to help complete deep home retrofits¹.

Visit Canada Greener Homes Grant for more information and to apply.

Questions? Contact the federal Greener Homes program at 1-833-674-8282 or email them.