The High Performance Standard is a tiered standard

The High Performance Development Standard has been developed as a tiered standard. Tier 1, the lowest tier, contains the mandatory requirements. Tier 2 and higher requirements are voluntary, while setting the direction for increasing requirements to be made over time. A tiered standard is helpful to inform and enable industry to prepare and plan for future mandatory requirements.

Tier 1 will be mandatory for all projects requiring either a site plan or plan of subdivision application.

Tier 2 or higher will be optional. The metrics of Tier 2 serve several purposes:

• Incentives to advance the adoption of Tier 2 and higher performance is under development.
• Tier 2 and 3 will bring awareness and understanding of incremental increases in requirements. Overtime, the minimum performance will move up such that Tier 2 will become mandatory. The image below helps to demonstrate the incremental aspect of a tiered standard.
• Tier 2 and 3 metrics will also serve to help evaluate projects for City recognition

At this time, Tier 3 is only referenced in building energy emission targets, which aligns with the 2030 emission reduction targets proposed in Energy Evolution.