Sustainability Metrics

The Sustainability Performance Metrics were created by Richmond Hill, together with the City of Brampton and the City of Vaughan.

The purpose of this scoring system is to encourage developers and builders to work with Richmond Hill staff to support our community’s environmental goals through thoughtful and innovative development and to achieve healthy, complete and sustainable communities. 

The Sustainability Assessment Tool helps quantify, rank and inform the sustainability score of proposed Draft Plan of Subdivision (Draft Plan) and Site Plan applications. 

Applicants can select from a menu of 52 metrics to help make their development more sustainable.

The final sustainability score is based on the following categories:

• Built environment
• Mobility
• Natural environment and open space
• Infrastructure and buildings

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

Sustainability scores and performance levels:

To apply the Sustainability Metrics, please refer to the following:

Instructions to use the online Sustainability Assessment Tool

The Instructions contain step-by-step explanations on how to use Sustainability Assessment Tool. They provide an overview of how to select your scenario and how to proceed in completing the web-based tool.

Sustainability Assessment Tool

The Sustainability Assessment Tool is a web-based tool that is completed as part of the planning application process. This tool replaces the excel file that was previously available to applicants. This tool is intended to assist applicants with ensuring that their development applications address sustainability policies of the City’s Official Plan, and other legislation and policies, including the Ontario Building Code.

Guidebook and Glossary

The Guidebook and Glossary contains materials that explain each metric in detail and how the points are allocated. Throughout the webform there are links to relevant sections of the Guidebook and Glossary for easy reference. Please review this document concurrently when completing the Sustainability Assessment Tool. For an overview of all of the scores associated with each metric for both Site Plan and Draft Plan applications see the Final Sustainability Metrics Table

Sustainability Metrics Update Project

The City is currently undertaking a review of the Sustainability Metrics program and will be finalizing the project in 2021. This two-part project involves updating specific metrics, including their targets and point allocations, in order to reflect past uptake and current trends in the development industry, policies, and legislation. Furthermore, the City is also reviewing potential incentive programs and other implementation measures to help make the Sustainability Metrics program more effective. Currently, staff are consulting with stakeholders from the development industry as well as public agencies to get their feedback to help improve the Sustainability Metrics program. Staff will be bringing a report to Council for their endorsement of the updated metrics and proposed implementation measures in 2021. If you would like to notified of when this report is available for review, please subscribe to this page and/or contact us using the contact information found at the bottom of this page.

Helpful Resources

Enbridge Savings by Design

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).

York Region's Sustainable Residential Development Incentives