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Click here For information on the Vancouver Building Bylaw for Existing Homes

Vancouver Building Bylaw For 1&2 Family

Vancouver building bylaw

Building Envelope:

Windows and glass doors: (info on plans)

  1. Specified windows and glass doors meet USI 1.4 (R4.06) or lower.
  2. Includes Curtain walls, slider doors.
  3. Must be tested and labelled to comply with the BC Energy Efficiency Act
  4. Window labels will be confirmed prior to insulation inspection (must submit schedule of windows, energy rating stickers must be left on windows at time of pre-drywall verification by CEA)

Side Hinged Doors: (info on plans)

  1. Side hinged Doors USI 1.8 or lower

Skylights: (info on plans)

  1. Specified skylights on plans are USI 2.4 (or lower) (same rules apply as window labels)

Roof top hatches:

  1. Roof access doors or hatches: USI 2.9

Insulation Levels: (info on plans)

  1. Above Grade Walls: On plan wall insulation meets or exceeds R-22 effective
  2. Foundation Walls: On plan wall insulation meets or exceeds R-22 effective
  3. Under Slab: under slab and at slab edge meets or exceeds R-14 effective
  4. Attic: Must now be R-50 Effective 
  5. Flat & Vaulted Ceiling:  exceeds R-24 effective (R-28 Nominal) insulation meets or exceeds required nominal R-28 value
  6. Exposed Floors (floors over unheated spaces): On plan insulation meets or exceeds R-24 effective (R-28 Nominal)
  7. Headers (Box joist): On plan insulation meets or exceeds R-22 effective

Air Barrier and Continuous insulation: (info on plans)

  1. Continuous Insulation: Insulation on plan is continuous including around ducts outside the envelope
  2. Air Barrier: Air barrier is planned to be continuous
  3. Air tightness: a maximum of 3.5 ACH @ 50Pa (ACH = air changes per hour)
  4. For small or laneway an alternative compliance path is 2.1 cm²/m² NLA (NLA = normalized leakage area)
  5. Mandatory pre-drywall verification and blower door air leakage test (prior to city insulation inspection)

Mechanical: (info on plans)

  1. HRV: HRV with 65% or better sensible heat recovery /in conditioned space / acceptable for filter maintenance indicated on plans
    (not required for laneway homes)
  1. Furnace/ Boiler: 92% efficient AFUE, no side venting
  2. Hot Water Tank or on demand: domestic hot water heater must be 78% or greater efficiency or at indirect source. Electric tank to be wrapped RSI 1.75 (R10)
  3. Hot Water Pipe: the first 3M from and the last 1M to all hot water shall have pipe insulation with an RSI of 0.35 (R2)
  4. Recirculating System: the entire pipe system must be wrapped with pipe insulation with RSI 0.35 (R 2.84)
  5. Gas-fired fireplaces in conditioned spaces: shall use a) intermittent pilot ignition (IPI) systems, or b) on-demand ignition systems that automatically shut off within 7 days of appliance non-use
  6. Wood Burning Heating Appliances: produce not more than 2.5 grams per hour of particulate air contaminant emissions for catalytic appliances, or produce not more than 4.5 grams per hour of particulate air contaminant emissions for non-catalytic appliances

Electric Vehicle Charging: (Info on plans)

  1. Each garage or carport needs to have an electrical outlet wired with a separate branch circuit capable of supplying 40A at 240V.

Solar Ready Pipe Run: (info on plans)

  1. Two 50 mm diameter pipe chase for connection

EnerGuide Requirements: (info on plans)

  1. Pre-Permit checklist and P file submission (Plans evaluation energy model)
  2. Pre-drywall checklist and air leakage testing(Prior to City insulation inspection)
  3. energy rating stickers must be left on windows at time of pre-drywall verification by CEA
  4. Final Blower door test and EnerGuide Report (prior to final occupancy)

Click HERE for more info on the Vancouver Building Bylaw for 6 storey or less MURBs

Click HERE for a link to the Vancouver Building Bylaw

Click HERE for Window and Door performance requirements

Click HERE for frequently asked questions about Windows and Doors in the Vancouver building bylaw