Montreal latest city to ban gas to new buildings
October 27, 2023 | By Luc Boiley
Ban will first effect new buildings three storeys or less as of October 1, 2024, and new larger buildings beginning April 1, 2025.
As part of its 2020-2030 Climate Plan and following consultations on its Roadmap towards zero-emission buildings by 2040, the City of Montreal announced on October 25 the introduction of by-laws that will ban the installation of gas-powered appliances – such as water and heating systems, stoves and BBQs connected to a gas network, indoor gas fireplaces and water heaters for swimming pools and spas.
The first regulation will apply to buildings of three storeys or less, and smaller than 600 square metres, and take effect as of October 1, 2024.
A second measure will apply to larger buildings, and take effect beginning April 1, 2025.
Following moves by other large cities in North America, including Vancouver and New York, Montreal is adopting regulations which will prohibit devices responsible for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions linked to heating for new small buildings, and which will require that new large buildings are decarbonized.
“The measure aims at buildings in the residential, commercial and institutional sectors; the industrial sector being excluded, especially because it is already under the carbon market rules,” said Marie-Andrée Mauger, City of Montréal Green Transition Manager.
Gas appliances that will still be exempt include: temporary heating devices used during construction work, emergency generator, commercial stoves in restaurants.
