As mentioned in previous updates, on October 20th Council voted in favour of the following referral motion relating to the review of Building Energy Requirements (Energy Step Code 4 and EL-3).  

That Item E.4 be referred to staff to prepare amendments to the Township of Langley Building Bylaw and related processes for Council's consideration at a future meeting of Council within the calendar year of 2025, to address the following: 

1. Modernization references to paper-based submission processes to reflect the Township's ongoing transition to electronic permitting process for all Building Permit types;  
2. Transitional provisions for in-stream applications greater than or equal to residential densities of 15 UPA submitted prior to April 1, 2025, to have the option to proceed under the Step Code and Energy Labeling (EL) requirements in effect at the time of the rezoning application, subject to current Provincial implementation timelines; and 
3. Streamlining of post-Development Permit Building Permit reviews and current referral process such that, once a Development Permit has been issued including for the approval of Building Permit submissions for all drawing types, the Permit License and Inspections Division processes all necessary approvals and releases, subject to substantial changes.  

Additional information can be found in the  full report by Township staff and council meeting discussion. 

July 21, 2025

At their regular meeting on July 7th, Council directed staff to report to Council with draft bylaw amendments, while outlining the potential impacts and options, to revise the Township’s current building energy requirements for construction from Energy Step Code 4 and EL-3 to align with the requirements of the BC Building Code from hereon.  

Adding that further this Report to Council include:  

(1) how this alignment may affect current phased development projects that are in preparation for permit issuance;  

(2) a review of Township of Langley requirements compared with those of neighbouring municipalities;  

(3) an evaluation of the potential implications for compliance the BC Building Code; and  

(4) any impacts on building permit review and inspection timelines.

Builder Forum Series: Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing and Step Code 

The Township of Langley is hosting a webinar Builder Forum Series: Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing and Step Code, on Wednesday, July 30 from 9 – 11am.  

Title: Builder Forum Series: Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing and Step Code 

Date and Time: July 30th, 2025; 9 am -11 am 

Location: Online

Small Housing BC will provide an introductory presentation on Bill-44 and Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH), including an overview of key building archetypes available to builders. Mark Bernhardt of Bernhardt Contracting Ltd. will delve deeper into these archetypes, highlighting their implications for meeting Step Code requirements. His presentation will also address envelope design, air barrier strategies and mechanical solutions tailored for SSMUH. The Township of Langley open the session with a brief update.  

The full length of the webinar is 2 hours and will include time for Q&A. 

CPD Credits available: BC Housing, AIBC, CACEA, BOABC 

Who should attend? Part 9 builders, developers, construction industry, building designers, architects, energy advisors, and building officials. 
  
Register now at www.tol.ca/gblearn 
For more information, email greenbuildings@tol.ca  

January 16th, 2024
 

On December 4th, 2023, Council adopted changes to the Langley Building Bylaw which would require the following:
 

• Step 4 of the Energy Step Code and EL-2 of the Zero Carbon Step Code for all applicable Part 9 residential buildings to start on April 1, 2024; and
• Step 4 of the Energy Step Code and EL-3 of the Zero Carbon Step Code for all applicable Part 9 residential buildings to start on April 1, 2025.

For more information, see the full report. 
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November 27th, 2023
 

On November 20, Council gave First, Second, and Third readings to an amendment to the Langley Building Bylaw to establish the adoption of Step 4 of the BC Energy Step Code for Part 9 residential buildings starting January 1, 2024.

The proposed amendment will include language that states Part 9 residential buildings including single family dwellings (with and without secondary suites), townhomes/rowhomes, duplexes, and triplexes to meet Step 4 of the BC Energy Step Code. This amendment will not impact Part 3 residential buildings which are required to meet Step 3.

Council also directed staff to bring forward an amendment to the Langley Building Bylaw for the adoption of Step 4 of the BC Energy Step Code and EL-2 of the Zero Carbon Step Code for all Part 9 residential buildings to start on April 1, 2024 and for Step 4 and EL-3 of the Zero Carbon Step Code for all Part 9 residential buildings to start on April 1, 2025.

For more information, see the full report.