Victoria Step Code Requirements

Current Step: 3+ (VBBL) | ACH Target: 2.5 ACH50 | Climate Zone: 4 | HDD: ~2,600 | Permit Office: victoria.ca/building

Current Requirements

Victoria enforces Step 3 or higher for all new Part 9 residential buildings through the Victoria Building Bylaw (VBBL). As the provincial capital, the city has consistently pushed ahead of the provincial minimum. For larger buildings and multi-unit projects, the city is already pushing toward Step 4 performance levels. Builders working in Victoria should confirm the current VBBL requirements with the City of Victoria Building Inspections department before submitting permit applications, as the bylaw is updated periodically.

The VBBL aligns with the BC Building Code but includes local amendments that can raise the bar on energy performance. Victoria has an active green building community and political support for higher performance targets, which means further tightening is likely before the provincial Step 4 mandate takes effect.

Climate Zone 4 Advantage

Victoria sits in Climate Zone 4 with approximately 2,600 heating degree days, making it one of the mildest climates in BC for Step Code compliance. Coastal CZ4 is significantly more forgiving than Interior cities like Kelowna (CZ5, HDD ~3,715) or Kamloops (CZ5, HDD ~3,500). This lower heating demand translates directly into easier compliance paths:

Lower insulation thresholds: Wall and ceiling assemblies that meet Step 3 in Victoria may fall short in CZ5, but the reverse is rarely true
More forgiving energy models: Lower HDDs mean the energy model produces a smaller heating load, giving builders more margin on thermal envelope trade-offs
Heat pump performance: Mild winters mean air-source heat pumps operate closer to their rated efficiency, improving the energy model results
Moisture management: Coastal moisture is a factor, but the mild temperatures reduce condensation risk in wall assemblies compared to colder Interior zones

For builders who also work in the Interior, a design that passes Step 3 comfortably in Victoria will likely need upgrades to pass in Kelowna or Vernon.

Air Sealing: The Key Lever

Hitting the 2.5 ACH50 target at Step 3 is achievable in Victoria’s mild climate, but air sealing remains the single most important lever for consistent compliance. Common failure points include:

Rim joist and sill plate connections
Penetrations for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC
Window and door rough openings
Top-of-wall and bottom-of-wall transitions
Recessed lighting and electrical boxes in the ceiling plane

A pre-drywall air sealing strategy is the most reliable way to catch leaks before they are buried behind drywall. Builders who test at the pre-drywall stage consistently hit their targets on the final blower door test. Detailed guidance on sealing methods is available in our air sealing methods guide.

Permit Process

Victoria follows the standard BC framework with Section 9B requirements:

Pre-construction: Energy advisor models the design using local weather data and produces a compliance report for the permit application
Mid-construction: Optional but recommended pre-drywall blower door test to identify leaks before close-in
As-built: Final blower door test at 2.5 ACH50 and as-built compliance report required for occupancy permit

Contact the City of Victoria Building Inspections for current VBBL requirements and any local amendments that apply to your project.

Rebates and Incentives

Victoria is in BC Hydro territory, which opens up several rebate pathways:

BC Hydro New Construction: Up to $15,000 for high-performance all-electric homes
CleanBC Better Homes: Provincial and federal incentives that stack with utility rebates
FortisBC: Limited applicability for gas-connected homes, but available where gas service exists (details)

Builders who target Step 4 ahead of the expected 2027 provincial requirement can access higher rebate tiers now. Use our rebate calculator to estimate your Victoria project numbers.

Looking Ahead: Step 4

Step 4 is expected province-wide in 2027. The jump from 2.5 ACH50 to 1.5 ACH50 is the biggest practical change for builders. In Victoria’s CZ4 climate, the insulation upgrades for Step 4 are manageable, but the airtightness target requires a deliberate air sealing strategy from the framing stage onward.

Victoria’s progressive stance means the city may adopt Step 4 or equivalent VBBL requirements before the provincial deadline. Builders who start developing their air sealing processes now will be well positioned when the requirement shifts.

What Builders Should Do Now

Confirm current VBBL requirements with the City of Victoria Building Inspections before each permit submission
Build a pre-drywall testing habit to catch air leaks early and reduce rework costs
Target Step 4 performance on at least one project to build crew familiarity with the 1.5 ACH50 target
Capture available rebates by building above the minimum and stacking BC Hydro and CleanBC incentives
Invest in air sealing methods training for your framing and insulation crews, as this is the single highest-impact improvement for Step Code compliance