Low Carbon Incentive Program

INCENTIVE PROGRAM ADOPTED

On April 20, 2021 Council adopted District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw 2200, 2011 Amendment Bylaw (Low Carbon Incentive Program) No. 2807, 2021 in order to establish a Low Carbon Incentive. This program is intended to minimize the environmental impact of housing development in Squamish by discouraging the use of high-carbon energy sources used in residential construction.

INCENTIVE PROGRAM INTENTION

Homes which use high carbon energy sources such as natural gas produce significantly more greenhouse gas emissions than those with low carbon energy sources, such as electricity.

To limit these emissions, the Low Carbon Incentive Program reduces the permitted maximum size of residential construction by one third if a high carbon energy source is used within the building. Buildings that use only Low Carbon energy sources such as baseboard heaters, heat pumps and electric hot water tanks can build to full size.

WHAT THIS MEANS

• Lower greenhouse gas emissions for homes built in residential (RS) zones, multiple unit residential (RM) zones and some mixed use apartments (C-4 and C-1) .
• Stronger alignment with District’s Community Climate Action Plan goal of constructing better buildings.
• Options for homebuilders regarding how to incorporate low carbon energy sources, including electric resistance systems such a baseboards, air source heat pumps, and geothermal.
• The option to use high carbon energy sources such as natural gas furnaces or hot water tanks, provided the residential building is one third smaller than previously allowed.

HOW IS LOW CARBON MEASURED AND REGULATED?

• Greenhouse gas emissions will be measured using greenhouse gas intensity (GHGi), which identifies the amount of Co2 per square meter per year which (kgCO2e/m2/year).
• The standards have been established in a manner that, in order to achieve the higher density, buildings will need to use low carbon energy sources for space and water heating. In order to meet the low carbon requirements natural gas fireplaces and appliances can not be installed.
• An exception has been made for apartments, which can use natural gas for water heating and still meet the low carbon requirements. This is intended to account for the high cost of central hot water heating and the limited options available. This exception is expected to be reviewed and amended as the technology becomes more affordable and available.
• Different housing forms in different zones will be required to meet different GHGi standards as outlined in the table below:

• The use of low carbon energy sources is expected to have a significant impact on the production of greenhouse gases, as outlined in the table below.  

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

Details about the bylaw approval process can be found within the following reports to Council:

• April 20, 2021 - Bylaw Adoption
• March 23, 2021 Public Hearing
• March 2, 2021 First and Second Reading
• October 12, 2020 Incentive Program Discussion

More information about the planning process that was used to develop the Low Carbon Incentive Program can be found at this project specific webpage, which reflects issues under consideration during the bylaw development process.