Village Advances Zero Carbon Building Requirements
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The Village of Cumberland has amended its Building Bylaw to establish an accelerated local timeline for the Zero Carbon Step Code. These changes will support lower-emission new construction and help advance the Village’s Climate Action Plan.
“These updates will help create new homes and buildings that produce fewer emissions, are more affordable to operate, and support Cumberland’s climate goals,” said Mayor Vickey Brown. “They also improve consistency across the Comox Valley and give builders, designers, homeowners and developers clearer expectations when planning projects in Cumberland.”
The changes are intended to improve regional consistency across the Comox Valley, provide clearer expectations for builders, designers, homeowners, and developers, and support the transition to new buildings with significantly reduced operational greenhouse gas emissions. The bylaw amendment also makes administrative and housekeeping changes to improve clarity and support a more effective permitting process.
The amendment requires new buildings in the Village to meet Strong Carbon Performance (EL-3) effective January 1, 2027, followed by Zero Carbon Performance (EL-4) effective January 1, 2028. In the British Columbia Zero Carbon Step Code, “EL” stands for Emissions Level. The steps in the Code move from measuring emissions only at EL-1, to moderate reductions at EL-2, strong reductions at EL-3, and zero carbon performance at EL-4. Use of lower-carbon systems for space heating, water heating helps new buildings to achieve higher steps.
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