Applicants have a menu of sustainability metrics to choose from (see the Sustainable New Communities Program Guidebook), each with an assigned point value. The combination of metrics the applicant selects to achieve in their development proposal results in a Sustainability Score.
There are three Sustainability Score Thresholds: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Applicants are required to achieve, at minimum, a Score that falls within the Bronze threshold.
Starting in 2023, development proposals were required to illustrate a minimum level of building energy/GHG performance as outlined in the "Good" level of metric IB-12.
On June 2, 2026, Bill 98, Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026 received Royal Assent. As a result, Metric "IB-12: Building Energy Efficiency, GHG Reduction & Resilience" is no longer mandatory.
Development proposals are still required to submit a Sustainability Score & Summary demonstrating achievement of at least a Bronze score using metrics of the applicant's choice.
