Implement and manage compliance of green development standards.

Green development standards are design requirements for new buildings that increase energy efficiency and lead to better designed communities. While cities have largely harmonized energy and carbon performance metrics, local standards allow cities to move at their own pace based on local market capabilities. While Ontario's Bill 17 complicates the picture for municipalities, various municipal lawyers including Toronto's argue that cities retain authorities to implement green standards. These standards are essential as the federal government creates momentum for supporting new construction across the country. We recommend that cities maintain them and enhance compliance with any necessary adjustments. At the same time, cities should develop contingency plans in the event they are forced to transition to a voluntary framework, including enhanced incentives and supports.

Implement building performance standards for existing buildings, beginning with reporting and benchmarking.

Building emissions performance standards (BEPS) for existing buildings are a powerful pathway to renew and modernize buildings to make them healthy and affordable for the long-term. These policies reduce carbon more than any other policy within the building sector, and Toronto is actively developing a bylaw. Much like green standards for new construction, BEPS set emissions targets for buildings based on their type and size, and require building owners to improve gradually through upgrades and retrofits. The policy is intended to provide regulatory certainty, allowing owners and operators to plan accordingly. TAF recommends municipalities adopt Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking (EWRB) requirements as a first step to inform the development of locally relevant standards for existing buildings. EWRB requirements can also be impactful in their own right, especially when paired with targeted supports to the worst performing buildings.

Support EV charging and prioritize active transportation and transit.

Municipalities have a unique role in ensuring transportation addresses the specialized needs of local communities. Providing options for the way people get around in the region has a significant impact on emissions, affordability, health, quality of life, and equity. To reach net-zero, all trips that can’t be taken by transit or active transportation will need to be electric. To support the EV transition, EVs and charging must be available and affordable. 

Specific Actions

• Remove minimum parking requirements in new developments (which will also reduce housing costs by up to $80K per unit).
• Require 100% EV-ready parking in all new residential parking, and 25% for non-residential parking.
• Leverage public lands such as libraries and community centres to support the buildout of public EV charging infrastructure.
• Review and update parking rules that prevent EV infrastructure from being installed.
• Invest in public transit and active transportation, including electrification of transit and support for e-micromobility.

Remove barriers to climate action from zoning bylaws and permitting processes.

Many cities have outdated zoning bylaws and processes that unintentionally deter or prevent climate action. Municipalities should undertake a comprehensive review of zoning bylaws and permitting processes to identify and resolve barriers.

Specific Actions

• Develop clear definitions for low carbon technologies to avoid confusion and project delays from a lack of clear terminology (e.g. heat pumps, EV charging stations).
• Exempt rooftop solar from height restrictions.
• Review and remove unnecessary zoning barriers to heat pumps, energy storage, or ground-mounted solar (e.g. excessive setback requirements or unnecessary prohibitions for certain zones).
• Streamline or exempt the building permitting process for solar, storage, and heat pump installations. 
• Direct local distribution companies to establish approval timelines and connection costs for solar and storage projects that are aligned with best practices.
• Support low-carbon prefabricated housing and components by: 
  • Accepting CSA A277 certification as demonstration of building code compliance for covered elements.
  • Streamline permitting and approvals for projects using repeatable, pre-reviewed plans (e.g. drawing on CMHC housing catalogue).