The November 1 implementation of the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) and Section 9.36 of the Alberta Building Code — measures that will improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions — has seemingly sparked a huge jump in building permit applications. According to Calgary City News, October 2016 saw $1.5 billion worth of construction value registered for building permits. That's the highest value in a single month on record for the city.

October building permit applications set a new single month record, image via Calgary City News Blog

The new numbers just edge out the October 2015 record of $1.47 billion, which coincided with updates to the Alberta Building Code. When broken down into building types, single family homes saw a 36 percent increase while new commercial buildings skyrocketed 47 percent compared to the previous month. With the November 1 deadline looming, many developers felt compelled to file building permit applications for projects that have been in the planning stages for some time. Otherwise, with the new code taking effect, their developments could be set back by delays and costly design revisions.

The Marriott 5th Avenue, image via Gibbs Gage Architects

The City has developed a multitude of educational tools and resources that apply to both commercial and residential structures that will assist builders in understanding and adopting these new standards, which were originally meant for implementation in May. The NECB generally covers residential and commercial buildings that are over 600 square metres or three storeys in height, while Section 9.36 of the Alberta Building Code deals with houses and small structures. New buildings constructed in accordance with the updated code will typically be about 27 percent more energy efficient than those constructed in 1997. This follows patterns in Canada's commercial and institutional sectors, which have seen building energy efficiency increase 33 percent between 1990 and 2012. 

A building permit application has been submitted for The Orchard, image via Lamb Development

A number of projects familiar to our readers have squeezed in their building permit applications just before the deadline. The Point Tower development on 11th Avenue in the Beltline seems to be one of them, with a construction value of $95,321,510. The multi-tower Crosstown project by Anthem Properties is among the costliest at $111,118,472. Following the success of 6th and Tenth, Lamb Development Corp is moving forward with The Orchard, which seeks to add a wealth of residential units in the vicinity of the Scotiabank Saddledome. And in the downtown core, the Marriott Hotel planned for 5th Avenue, featuring a pixelated exterior by Gibbs Gage Architects, is going ahead. While nothing is guaranteed, developments that file building permits have a strong financial footing, so expect to see heavy equipment at these sites soon.

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