The 2010 building season could be very different than this year's.

By that time, regulations could be in place, requiring new buildings within the city to be constructed to energy efficiency standards.

"Although it might be a little bit more cost to the home owner or the home builder ... the lower operating and maintenance cost would certainly offset those initial increases in the construction of the home," building inspection supervisor Doug Thorseth told Mayor Bev Buckway at a Monday noon council meeting.

Councillors Dave Stockdale and Florence Roberts were also at Monday's council and senior management meeting.

Among the new regulations proposed for the city's building and plumbing bylaw, minimum standards would be set for insulation in buildings.

As well, heat recovery ventilation in new homes would be required along with new permits that would be obtained for the ventilation systems.

The proposal comes out of an earlier planning charette held by the city.

Following that, a working group comprised of city and industry officials was formed to look at the possibility of more stringent, energy-efficient regulations for buildings in the city.

The new bylaw will likely come to council for adoption this year.

City manager Dennis Shewfelt said the city will propose an implementation date of Jan. 1, 2010 to give builders plenty of time to get ready for the changes and plan for that building season.

After questioning officials, the three council members were told that, along with any new buildings, new additions to older structures in the city would also likely be subject to the new regulations.

Though the proposed stipulations may strengthen the city's current rules on building, one councillor wondered whether it would go far enough.

Roberts asked city officials why the standards didn't go further to the green standards the Yukon Housing Corp. uses under its GreenHome mortgage program for those building to green standards.

Among the requirements is that homes have an energy rating of 80 or better, pass an air leakage test, and have a ventilation system approved by a certified ventilation advisor.

As well, homes have to have at least 75 per cent of building materials purchased through a Yukon business and receive an approved final report. The builder has to be a Yukon business or resident.

While the proposed city standards get close to Yukon Housing standards for GreenHomes, they aren't quite there, council was told.

City staff noted it was thought the proposed requirements served as a good start in building green within the city.

As Roberts pointed out, a number of new developments will soon be constructed, and they could be subject to more environmental guidelines.

"With Whistle Bend and Stan McCowan and Arkell (expansion) all coming on line, or being on line, with all the stipulations that are made in the zoning for those, then I don't know why we couldn't go whole-hog here," Roberts said.

The city has developed comprehensive zoning criteria for its newer neighbourhoods, with more stringent design guidelines for buildings, yard setbacks and so on.

The zones also include a number of incentives for builders who are constructing to a green standard.

Sitting in the gallery of council chambers Monday during the meeting were several industry officials.

It was suggested it's difficult to get the general public on side to pay the additional costs for a home built to greener standards, and that further evidence will be needed to show the long-term savings.

Dirkbuilt Contracting's Dirk Rentmeister suggested the city offer an incentive through property taxes.

While the territory offers a homeowner's grant to property owners, Rentmeister said the city could offer something similar to those whose homes meet the standards.

"It would be a potential incentive for people who are a bit wary (of) perhaps whether or not payback is even down the road in building an energy-efficient house like that," he said.

While Shewfelt said that would be something the city would have to look at more in-depth, it's expected the proposal for the building and plumbing bylaw could come forward for an initial meeting as early as next month.