Advocacy Update #16 - July 3, 2025

In this issue:

•    BC Government Expands Municipal Borrowing Limits for Infrastructure Projects

•    BCFSA Launches New Online Portal to Submit REDMA Filings

•    CleanBC Review Seeks Input from the Homebuilding Sector

•    Single Zone Cooling for Part 9 Dwelling Units

BC Government Expands Municipal Borrowing Limits for Infrastructure Projects

On June 24, the Province announced amendments to the Municipal Liabilities Regulation and Short-Term Borrowing Limit Regulation to allow BC municipalities greater flexibility in financing capital infrastructure and amenities projects. In response to municipalities’ concerns about cost, complexity, and the risk of delays in implementing capital projects, the changes will allow municipalities to borrow more without holding a public vote, including:

•    Borrow up to 10% of annual revenue (up from 5%) for longer-term debt; and

•    Borrow $150 per capita (up from $50) for short-term debt under five years.

It is important to note that the new borrowing amendments apply to all 161 municipalities governed by the Local Government Act, except Vancouver, which operates under the Vancouver Charter.

BCFSA Launches New Online Portal to Submit REDMA Filings

The BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) has launched the Integrated Regulatory Information System (IRIS), a secure online portal for real estate developers and their representatives to submit regulatory documents. This includes Real Estate Development Marketing Act ("REDMA ") filings, Strata Property Act ("SPA") strata plan schedules (like Forms V and W), and related documents.

As of June 25, 2025, all new submissions must be made through IRIS. BCFSA will no longer process new submissions sent via email. Submissions emailed before June 26th will still be processed, but future correspondence on those may occur via email or require the submitter to access IRIS.

For more information about IRIS and how to get started, click here. For FAQs on IRIS, click here.

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CleanBC Review Seeks Input from the Homebuilding Sector

The BC Government has launched an independent review of CleanBC to assess whether its policies and programs are effectively reducing emissions, supporting affordability, and strengthening the economy. Feedback is being gathered through an online survey, roundtable discussions, and written submissions.

Key actions under the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 related to residential construction include:

•    All new buildings to be zero carbon by 2030 and net-zero energy ready by 2032 (e.g. highest levels of the Zero Carbon and Energy Step Code)

•    Highest efficiency space and water heating equipment by 2030

•    Introducing home energy labelling (released BC Home Energy Planner)

•    Phase out fossil fuel-based equipment incentives

Written feedback via email is also welcome until July 18 for interested parties, including affected industry professionals, labour representatives, environmental NGOs, and climate experts.

Want to inform CHBA BC’s submission? Contact Pauline Rupp, Director, Technical & Building Innovation at pauline@chbabc.org.

Single Zone Cooling for Part 9 Dwelling Units

A new bulletin from the Construction Standards & Digital Solutions Branch (formerly the Building and Safety Standards Branch) outlines the recently released Guideline on Single Zone Cooling in Dwelling Units, which helps determine cooling loads for a single living space.

These guidelines offer a recommended (non-mandatory) methodology for appropriately sizing cooling systems in accordance with BC Building Code requirements, aiming to minimize health risks from overheating in dwelling units.

A separate provincial bulletin, Protection from Overheating in Dwelling Units, provides clarification and FAQs on demonstrating compliance with the 26°C indoor design temperature requirements in BCBC 2024. 

Lorval Developments and Martini Film Studios win lawsuit with Langley Township over Community Amenity Contributions. 

Metro Vancouver weighs overhaul of developer fees amid industry pushback.

This newsletter is exclusive for Canadian Home Builders' Association of BC (CHBA BC) members. If a colleague would like to subscribe, please have them update their contact information with their local association. For questions, feel free to contact Jenny Scott, Director of Policy and Government Relations, or Pauline Rupp, Director of Technical and Building Innovation.