Adopt Zero Emissions Buildings This Year
Mayor and Council of the City of Coquitlam
Buildings are a major slice of Coquitlam’s climate pollution (about 42%), and every new gas-heated building locks in emissions — and future retrofit costs — for decades. The Zero Carbon Step Code at EL-4 (Zero Carbon Performance) generally means full electrification of space and water heating (and typically cooking), which is the cleanest long-term path.
Coquitlam is already behind nearby cities that are moving faster on zero-carbon building rules (including Richmond, Burnaby, New Westminster, and Port Moody). And current proposals still delay most Part 3 (multi-unit) buildings, keeping them at weaker standards for years instead of moving to EL-4 quickly.
Residents also have reason to worry about industry pressure: FortisBC sponsors Urban Development Institute programs, and UDI has not only publicly called for a pause and for limiting ZCSC to EL-2, but has been the main source of "consultation with industry" by council.
Petition by
Sponsored by
To:
Mayor and Council of the City of Coquitlam
From:
[Your Name]
We, the undersigned residents and supporters, call on the City of Coquitlam to adopt the BC Zero Carbon Step Code at the highest level (EL-4) for all new buildings in 2026, including Part 9 homes (houses, townhomes, low-rise) and Part 3 buildings (condos, apartments, and larger buildings).
Why we are petitioning
Coquitlam is growing quickly, and the buildings we approve today will be used for decades. If new buildings continue to install fossil-fuel space heating and hot water systems, those systems will need costly replacement later to meet climate goals—creating retrofit costs for homeowners, strata councils, renters, and future City programs. EL-4 generally means zero-carbon space and water heating (and commonly cooking), avoiding this lock-in while supporting healthier indoor air and climate resilience.
We therefore petition Council to:
Adopt EL-4 (Zero Carbon Performance) for all new buildings in 2026, and direct staff to bring forward the necessary bylaw amendments and implementation materials to make this effective for permits submitted on or after July 1, 2026.
Apply EL-4 equally to Part 3 buildings (including new condos and apartments) in 2026, rather than postponing higher requirements for multi-unit residential.
Coquitlam should lead, not lag.
Neighbouring municipalities have already adopted ZCSC requirements and timelines to reach higher tiers, including EL-4. Coquitlam should match that level of ambition and certainty—especially given our housing growth and climate commitments.
petitions received by the City of Coquitlam are deemed to be public records and names and addresses are subject to public disclosure and may be published in a meeting agenda, which is posted on the City’s website, if the matter comes before Council or Committee
authorized by the financial agent for Benjamin Perry elect@benjaminperry.ca