Burnaby Step Code Requirements
Current Step: 3 + EL-4 | ACH Target: 2.5 ACH50 | Climate Zone: 4 | HDD: ~2,950 | Permit Office: burnaby.ca/building
Current Requirements
Step 3 with Zero Carbon EL-4 (Zero Carbon Performance) for all new Part 9 residential buildings as of January 1, 2025. Burnaby is one of BC’s most aggressive municipalities on carbon, ahead of the provincial timeline.
What EL-4 Means for Builders
EL-4 effectively requires electrification of space heating and domestic hot water. No fossil fuels are permitted through the prescriptive pathway. Fossil fuel cooktops are also prohibited. This means:
- Heat pumps are mandatory, not optional
- No gas furnaces, boilers, or hot water tanks in new construction
- All-electric mechanical systems are the standard path to compliance
- Exemption exists for buildings connected to the Burnaby Mountain District Energy Utility
Climate Advantage
Climate Zone 4 with ~2,950 HDD provides a milder climate path to Step Code compliance. The same building design performs better in Burnaby than in Interior BC, making the electrification requirements more achievable from an energy balance perspective.
Permit Process
Standard BC framework with Section 9B requirements: energy model with Lower Mainland weather data, blower door test at 2.5 ACH50, and as-built compliance report.
Rebates
- BC Hydro New Construction: Up to $15,000 for high-performance all-electric homes (Burnaby is BC Hydro territory)
- CleanBC Better Homes: Provincial and federal incentives apply
- FortisBC: Limited applicability since EL-4 requires electrification, but available for gas-connected homes during transition
Use our rebate calculator to estimate your project numbers.