Kamloops building officials are expecting a big rush of building permits to be submitted in late 2021.

Building and engineering developing manager Jason Dixon says many contractors building homes will likely try to get permits in before new energy-efficiency requirements come into effect.

“On the residential side, we’re going to be overrun I think. It’s very common, when there’s code changes, etc., there’s always a sort of rush of projects to get in just ahead. And I would expect November and December of 2021 to be a very, very busy time.”

Dixon doesn’t expect the same “rush,” though, on the commercial side.

“On the bigger projects… I’m not as concerned. The energy step code is an additional regulation, but because those projects already engage architects and engineers, a lot of modeling is already done. It won’t drastically change our building permit process for those projects.”

Step Two of the BC Energy Step Code will require new buildings to be 20 per cent more efficient