Residential Neighbourhood Building Requirements
UBCO REAP
The Residential Environmental Assessment Program (REAP) is a comprehensive, green building rating system for all multi-unit residential construction in the UBC Okanagan campus neighbourhoods.
Public Consultation Process
Once adopted, the UBC Okanagan REAP will become a Land Use Rule regulated under UBC Land Use Policy (UP12). In accordance with this policy, any amendments to a Land Use Rule are subject to a 30-day public consultation period.
The public is invited to review and provide feedback on the draft UBCO REAP (see below) during the consultation period from Monday, April 27 to Monday, May 25, 2026. Comments can be submitted by email to the Sustainability Office.
About UBCO REAP
The UBC Okanagan Residential Environmental Assessment Program (REAP), developed in partnership with UBC Properties Trust, is UBCO’s mandatory green building rating system guiding sustainable residential neighbourhood land development on the Okanagan campus.
The program is also aligned with the City of Kelowna’s building requirements and UBC Okanagan’s Climate Action Plan 2030, Integrated Rainwater Management Plan, Transportation Plan, and Wildfire Management Plan.
REAP History
REAP has served as the Vancouver campus’s dedicated green building rating system in the neighbourhoods for more than a decade, guiding sustainable design and construction across UBC’s residential developments. For more details, explore UBC Vancouver REAP.
Governance and Policy Authority
UBCO REAP will become a Land Use Rule under the UBC Board of Governor’s Policy UP12: Land Use, Permitting and Sustainability, pursuant to the University Act.
This is almost finalized. Check back soon!
UBCO REAP Requirements
UBCO REAP sets rigorous and forward‑looking requirements for all new neighbourhood residential buildings, ensuring:
- Lower carbon emissions from building materials and operations
- Improved energy efficiency
- Comfortable indoor temperatures even under future warmer temperatures
- Wildfire resilient building design (e.g. roof and cladding materials) and landscaping
- Indoor air filtration to protect residents from wildfire smoke and other pollutants
- Resilient landscape design that supports biodiversity and lowers wildfire risk
- Long‑term health and wellbeing for the campus community (e.g. bicycle parking)
- Rainwater management to minimize risk from flooding and to protect water quality
Certification Criteria and Point System
UBCO REAP uses a flexible system that emphasizes overall performance over prescriptive rules and allows developers to achieve points from a menu of optional credits. This gives designers and builders more freedom to find cost-effective ways to meet sustainability goals.
All new multi-unit residential buildings must achieve a minimum UBCO REAP gold certification by earning at least 50 out of 110 points using optional credits in the following component areas:
- Energy & Emissions
- Climate Adaptation
- Materials & Resources
- Water
- Biodiversity
- Place & Experience
- Health & Wellbeing
- Quality
- Innovation
Designed for the Okanagan Context
As the Okanagan campus begins to implement its soon to be adopted neighborhood plan – adding approximately 1,500 new housing units to the campus – UBCO REAP will serve as the primary tool to ensure every new residential building aligns with the plan’s core sustainability principles.
Tailored to the Okanagan’s unique climate and development conditions, UBCO REAP adapts UBC’s Vancouver‑based framework to local needs. It also helps future‑proof the campus by preparing new development to align with the Province of British Columbia’s net‑zero‑ready policies.
Questions?
If you have questions about UBCO REAP, please contact: leanne.bilodeau@ubc.ca