Sustainability Metrics | Pentest Site

In an effort to protect birds from urban hazards, on May 22^nd, 2024, Council endorsed mandatory Bird-Safe Design Standards for all lands that are subject to Site Plan approval, i.e. where low-rise, mid-rise, high-rise built form (as defined by the City’s Official Plan), and Industrial, Commercial and Institutional are being proposed.

The Sustainability Metrics Program is a scoring system used by the City to encourage developers and builders to work with municipal staff to achieve healthy, complete, and sustainable communities. The Sustainability Metrics are green development standards that Richmond Hill uses to quantify and evaluate the sustainability performance of new developments and promote sustainable design targets that go beyond provincial and municipal requirements. This Program supports the City’s “greening our growth” principle by integrating climate and ecological resiliency into our communities.

To qualify for approval, each draft plan and site plan application must achieve a minimum Sustainability Score.

Original Sustainability Metrics (until December 31, 2022)

All applications submitted to Richmond Hill up to December 31, 2022 must use the original version of the Sustainability Metrics . The updated version of the program takes effect on January 1, 2023. We encourage applicants to familiarize themselves with the new program.

Original Program – Applications until December 31, 2022

When submitting development applications for Draft Plan and Site Plan approval, applicants are required to include a sustainability score and summary report with their submission. Development applications must achieve at least a "good" performance level to be considered for approval.

Refer to the Guidebook and Glossary for materials that explain each metric in detail and how the points are allocated. For an overview of all of the scores associated with each metric for both Site Plan and Draft Plan applications see the 2014 Sustainability Metrics Table.
Use the Sustainability Assessment Tool to complete your application. This online tool helps quantify, rank and inform the sustainability score of proposed Draft Plan of Subdivision (Draft Plan) and Site Plan applications, and contains links to relevant sections of the Guidebook and Glossary for easy reference.
NOTE: the Sustainability Assessment Tool for the original program is not available as of January 1, 2023.
Ensure your Sustainability Score meets or exceeds the required thresholds before submitting to the City.

Performance Level	Sustainability Score
Good	Draft Plan: 21 to 35 points Site Plan: 32 to 45 points
Very Good	Draft Plan: 36 to 55 points Site Plan: 46 to 65 points
Excellent	Draft Plan: 56 points or more Site Plan: 66 points or more

Updated Sustainability Metrics (starting January 1, 2023)

Please note: The Sustainability Metrics Program Guidebook has been updated to reflect changes to metrics NE-9 (Stormwater Quantity) and IB-18 (Bird-Safe Design), along with minor points of clarification. Development applications submitted after May 22, 2024 are subject to the revisions contained in the updated Guidebook.

An updated version of the program takes effect on January 1, 2023. All applications submitted to Richmond Hill on or after January 1, 2023 must use the updated version of the Sustainability Metrics.

Updated Program – Applications on or after January 1, 2023

The original version of the Sustainability Metrics was released in 2014. Using lessons learned, best practices and new ideas from partner municipalities, government agencies, the development industry and other stakeholders, the Sustainability Metrics Program was updated in 2022. This version reflects legislative changes, updated building requirements, municipal priorities, industry trends, and opportunities to increase innovation in sustainable development.

Richmond Hill’s updated Sustainability Metrics Program takes effect on January 1, 2023.

Program Description

The updated program includes approximately 120 metric options spanning five categories (Built Environment, Mobility, Natural Environment and Open Space, Infrastructure and Buildings, and Innovation). Each metric has an associated point value. Applicants can choose which metrics best align with their project; the combination of points from the selected metrics produces a sustainability score. You can learn more about each metric in the Sustainability Metrics Program Guidebook.

There are 3 performance levels that can be achieved through the Sustainability Metrics Program – Gold, Silver and Bronze – based on the final sustainability score received. Development applications must achieve at least a "bronze" performance level to be considered for approval:

Draft Plan applications = 27 to 40 points
Site Plan applications = 41 to 61 points

Submitting an Application

Refer to the updated Sustainability Metrics Program Guidebook for the full suite of metrics and associated evidence and program requirements to prepare for your application.
Use the updated Sustainability Assessment Tool (SAT) to complete your application. The SAT helps quantify, rank and inform the sustainability score of proposed Draft Plan of Subdivision (Draft Plan) and Site Plan applications. The updated version includes a modern and mobile-friendly user interface, AODA compliance, simplified and consolidated inputs for the user, and automated cumulative scoring. Click here to view a short SAT reference video.
Upon completion of the SAT, a Sustainability Score and Summary Report will be automatically generated. Ensure your Sustainability Score meets or exceeds the required thresholds before submitting your completed Summary Report to the City. A copy of the report should be included when submitting development applications for Draft Plan and Site Plan approval.

Richmond Hill's updated sustainability scores and performance levels are summarized below:

Performance Level	Draft Plan Sustainability Score	Site Plan Sustainability Score
Bronze	27-40	41-61
Silver	41-49	62-75
Gold	50+	76+

Helpful Resources

You can find resources in the dropdown below.

Helpful Resources

Program Update

The Sustainability Metrics partner municipalities (Richmond Hill, Brampton, Markham, and Vaughan) held a developer information session on November 24, 2022 to outline key changes and improvements to the program.

The following resources provide guidance for applicants to Richmond Hill's updated Sustainability Metrics Program:

Background Information

January 2021 Staff Report SRPI.21.019 - Sustainability Metric Update Project
Appendix 1 - Sustainability Metrics Update Report
Appendix 2 - Sustainable Development Implementation Measures Report

Related Programs and Resources

Enbridge Savings by Design

Savings by Design Affordable Housing Program provides cash-back incentives for affordable housing builders and developers, assisting them to build cost-effective affordable housing, while at the same time, improve the comfort and quality of life for residents. (Associated to Designing for Lifecycle housing metric).

Savings by Design Green Building Initiative offers supportive and financial incentives to help builders design and construct buildings and houses with higher energy performance and help homeowners save on energy costs. (Associated to Energy metrics within the Building and Infrastructure category).

These Enbridge programs include a "visioning session" facilitated by Sustainable Buildings Canada and an Enbridge Sales Representative. The visioning session is a preliminary, one to two-hour meeting that helps to define your project requirements and sustainability priorities beyond energy efficiency.

York Region's Sustainable Residential Development Incentives

Sustainable Development through LEED in York Region offers additional servicing capacity assignment credits to the local municipality as an incentive to promote sustainable residential high-density developments that are four storeys or higher. (Associated to Energy metrics within the Building and Infrastructure category).

Servicing Incentive Program (SIPS) provides water and wastewater servicing capacity assignment credits for new residential grade-related developments that are a maximum of three storeys in height.

Toronto Regional Conservation Authority's water education and awareness program

The Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program (STEP) is a conservation authority-led initiative that fosters broader implementation of technologies that protect water resources and reduce our carbon footprint. (Associated to water conservation metrics within the Natural Environment and Open Space metrics).

The Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan (SNAP) Program aims to accelerate the creation of sustainable neighbourhoods in older urban areas by providing a neighbourhood-based solution for achieving greater impact in urban renewal and climate action. (Associated to Complete Community Metrics found throughout entire the suite).

The Sustainability Metrics Program is the result of a unique collaboration between the Cities of Brampton, Markham, Richmond Hill, and Vaughan, carried out with the assistance of the Government of Canada and the Federation of Municipalities (FCM) through the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program.