Energy Bylaws

The City of Burlington Corporate Energy Management Program Update informs city council of the status of the program and presents the Corporate Energy Policy for approval. The actions outlined in the update will support the implementation of energy conservation measures in corporate facilities and promote a culture of conservation, which is expected to reduce costs as well as the city’s carbon footprint.

The City of Whitehorse Building and Plumbing Bylaw 99-50 amendment (consolidated with Bylaw 2009-16) outlines minimum energy conservation standards for new construction. These standards are related to thermal insulation values and heat recovery ventilators, and apply to all heated residential, commercial or industrial buildings.

The Town of Stratford Wind Energy Policy 2008-PH-01 encourages and regulates the installation of wind energy systems on town properties. The policy supports the town’s sustainability principles by improving quality of life, preserving natural resources, reducing fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, protecting the environment and responding to climate change, and responding to residents and businesses who wish to establish wind energy systems for on-site use.

The Town of Stratford Wind Energy Bylaw amends Development Bylaw 29 and sets provisions for establishing small on-site wind energy systems within town boundaries. The bylaw is an addition to the Stratford Zoning and Subdivision (Development) Control Bylaw. It requires lots to be at least one acre (0.4 hectares) in size and limits turbine capacity to five kilowatts.

The City of Kingston Municipal Green Building Policy requires new municipal buildings to achieve a minimum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver certification and a minimum energy efficiency level of 42 per cent, and all major retrofits to undertake a feasibility assessment to achieve LEED® certification and an energy efficiency level of 33 per cent better than the Model National Energy Code. The policy is part of the city's Energy Management Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10 per cent (2000 baseline year) by 2014.

The Town of Annapolis Royal Policy on Energy Management aims to minimize energy consumption in all town-owned buildings, and to minimize the municipal environmental footprint. The policy details practices to identify and eliminate unnecessary energy-related expenses. These practices are related to lighting and other electrical systems, windows and doors, town-owned vehicles, waste management, heating, and active transportation.

The City of Vancouver Green Building Strategy Bylaw 9691 establishes criteria for housing components such as windows, light fixtures, energy use display meters, hot water tanks, gas-fuelled fireplaces, toilets, heat recovery ventilators, and EnerGuide rating system audits. The bylaw is an amendment to the Vancouver Building Bylaw 9419 and is related to the Green Building Strategy for one-family homes, one-family homes with secondary suites, and two-family homes; and to the Vancouver Green Building Strategy (2005). 

The City of Toronto Bylaw 218-2008 is a zoning bylaw amendment to permit the use of renewable energy and cogeneration devices in all zones and the distribution of energy produced. The bylaw details requirements for the location and use of renewable energy devices on city properties.

The City of Yellowknife Building Bylaw No. 44969, section 6.1 and 6.2 requires all single-family, two-family and multi-family residential buildings to achieve a minimum score on the EnerGuide for New Houses rating system. All industrial, commercial and institutional buildings must comply with a minimum energy-efficient building standard that is 25 per cent higher than the minimum requirements of the National Model Energy Code of Canada for Buildings.

The Town of Banff Municipal Sustainable Building Policy C106 will enable the town to require all new municipal buildings to meet or exceed LEED® Silver certification.

The Town of Richmond Hill Sustainable Design and Construction Policy requires all new town facilities over 500 square metres to achieve a minimum LEED® Silver certification. The policy also encourages major retrofit and renovation projects, and new projects smaller than 500 square metres, to achieve the same certification. The town aims to achieve LEED Silver certification for its Oak Ridges Community Centre and Park, expected to open in fall 2011.

The Municipality of Jasper Solar Demonstration Project Borrowing Bylaw 087 authorizes the municipal council to borrow $35,000 (50 per cent of the total project cost) toward the purchase and installation of a 1 kW solar photovoltaic system, and for related public awareness and education activities. The other 50 per cent of the project cost is funded by direct grant from FCM’s Green Municipal Fund. This project will allow Jasper to demonstrate leadership in sustainability and renewable energy by participating in the Alberta Solar Municipal Showcase. 

The Town of East Gwillimbury Energy Star Policy for Residential Developments requires all new residential developments requiring either site plan or subdivision approval to be built according to Energy Star guidelines. The benefits for the new home owner include lower energy bills, improved comfort, government-backed quality assurance, lower impact on the environment and higher resale value.