Expansion of the Non-Road Diesel Engine Emission Regulation

Non Road Diesel Engine Emission Regulation Bylaw 1329, 2021

Bylaw 1329 reduces emissions from non-road diesel engines, including diesel particulate matter (DPM) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), which affect health, visibility, and the environment.

Background

In October 2021, the Metro Vancouver Regional District Board adopted Bylaw 1329, replacing the 2012 Non-Road Diesel Engine Emission Regulation Bylaw. The updated bylaw expanded requirements to further reduce DPM emissions and address NOₓ emissions from Tier 0 to Tier 4 non-road diesel engines.

Operating restrictions for Tier 0 and Tier 1 engines

Operating a Tier 0 or Tier 1 engine within 100 metres of a sensitive receptor (such as a hospital, school, daycare, or community care facility) is prohibited. These engines emit higher levels of DPM, which poses greater risks to children, older adults, and people working near diesel equipment.

Registration requirements for newer engine tiers

Bylaw 1329 expanded registration and labelling requirements to include newer engine tiers:

Tier 2 engines — required since January 31, 2023
Tier 3 engines — required since January 1, 2024
Tier 4 engines — required January 1, 2029

Prohibitions for unregistered Tier 2 and Tier 3 engines were also introduced in Bylaw 1329.

Although newer engines emit less DPM and NOₓ than older tiers, their combined emissions are a concern for regional air quality.

Fees, operating periods, rebates, and surcharges

Non-Road Diesel Engine Emission Regulation Bylaw 1329, 2021 update

Diesel particulate matter (DPM) contributes to climate change and reduced visibility and is associated with both short and long-term health effects, including asthma, heart and respiratory diseases and cancer.

To further reduce DPM emissions and address harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) produced by all tiers of non-road diesel engines, in October 2021 the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) Board adopted Bylaw 1329, which repealed and replaced MVRD Non-Road Diesel Engine Emission Regulation Bylaw No. 1161, 2012 (Bylaw 1161).

The new non-road diesel engine emission bylaw includes:

Effective immediately, Tier 0 and Tier 1 engines must not be operated within 100 metres of hospitals, elementary schools, day cares or community care facilities (referred to as “sensitive receptors”). The elderly, young children, and other at-risk individuals are particularly vulnerable to the impacts from high emitting Tier 0 and Tier 1 engines.

Emergency engine requirements. Emergency engines don’t require labeling or registration, but must be operated, inspected and maintained to prevent impacts on nearby building occupants.

Registration and labelling requirements for Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4 non-road diesel engines. While each newer non-road diesel engine emits less DPM and NOx than a Tier 0 or Tier 1 engine, collectively these engines emit quantities considered a threat to human health and the environment.

Operators must register their:

Tier 2 engines starting January 1, 2023;
Tier 3 engines starting January 1, 2024; and
Tier 4 engines starting January 1, 2029.

Metro Vancouver is working on registration system updates and will notify registrants when the system is available to register these engine tiers.

Registration requirements for different engine tiers in Metro Vancouver timeline

November 2020 – April 2021	2021	January 1, 2023	January 1, 2024	Starting in 2029
Engagement on proposed expansion of the bylaw	MVRD Board approves new Non-Road Diesel Engine Emission Regulation Bylaw 1329	Tier 2 engines must be registered to operate	Tier 3 engines must be registered to operate; Tier 0 and Tier 1 new fee structure	Tier 4 engines must be registered to operate

Adjustments to the fee structure. Fees now take into account both DPM and NOx, and are a better reflection of an engine’s potential health impacts based on emission standards.

Bylaw 1329 fee schedule

Annual Fee Rate	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029 and later
Tier 0 $/HP	20.00	20.00	20.00	33.79	39.42	45.05	50.69	56.32	57.44
Tier 1 $/HP	10.00	10.00	10.00	12.56	14.65	16.74	18.83	20.92	21.35
Tier 2 $/HP	0.00	0.00	1.55	2.45	4.71	5.38	8.44	9.38	9.57
Tier 3 $/HP	0.00	0.00	0.00	1.65	3.22	3.68	5.80	6.44	6.57
Tier 4 $/HP	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.94

Shaded areas indicate that additional surcharges will apply for not previously registered engines. Installing an approved emission reduction measure can reduce fees.

See example calculations below on the impact of fee changes. Metro Vancouver is working on an update to the non-road diesel engine tier and fee calculator, and will notify registrants when the system is updated.

A new moderate use category. As of January 1, 2024 operators can purchase moderate-use operating periods at 60% of the annual registration fee for engines that operate for a maximum of 500 operating hours per year.

Adjusted retirement rebates. On January 1, 2026 the maximum allowable retirement rebate will increase to 80% of the fees paid in the previous five years instead of the previous three years.

Additional reporting requirements for some emission reduction measures (ERM).

A new $2000 fee to recover costs for assessing novel emission reduction measure technologies.

New options for previously unregistered engines. Previously unregistered engines would be able to register and operate if they install an approved emission reduction measure or pay a surcharge of 300% of the registration fee on top of the regular registration fee.

Surcharges start:
- January 1, 2023 for previously unregistered Tier 0 and Tier 1 engines;
- February 1, 2026 for Tier 2 engines that have not been registered for at least 90 days prior to January 31, 2026; and
- February 1, 2027 for Tier 3 engines that have not been registered for at least 90 days prior to January 31, 2027.

To receive updates on the non-road diesel engine emission program, sign up for our mailing list.

For more information, write to nonroaddiesel@metrovancouver.org.

View the Bylaw Summary Card as a quick reference guide on the Bylaw Expansion.