The municipalities of Saanich, Oak Bay, Victoria, Central Saanich and North Saanich are adopting the ill-advised Step Code bylaw increasing the energy efficiency of new homes before the National Building Code undertakes its diligence and public review anticipated in Fall 2019. Langford, the most efficient municipality offering the largest number of energy efficient homes will not adopt the Step Code and is awaiting the Fall public review on energy efficiency by the National Building Code.
Saanich is leaping from Step 1 (June 2019) to Step 3 (Jan 2020) for most homes in seven months.
The Victoria Residential Builders Association wrote a letter to Saanich’s Committee of the Whole which met on Monday, December 3 recommending Saanich wait for the review and changes to the National Building Code. We wrote another letter Dec 7 for the Dec 10 council meeting.
Our letters also outline the flawed Saanich report and Step Code policy raising costs and undermining consumer protection, especially regarding building envelope issues.
New homebuyers may want a copy of VRBA’s letters to Saanich Council, which is expected to adopt the Step Code bylaw at their December 10 meeting.
Our follow up letter for the Dec 10 council meeting is here.