FAQs

Regulations

*Recent Expansion of the Non-Road Diesel Engine Emission Regulation
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non-road diesel engines, in October 2021 the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) Board adopted Bylaw 1329, which repealed and replaced MVRD Non-Road Diesel Engine Emission Regulation Bylaw No. 1161, 2012 (Bylaw 1161).
Detailed information on the Bylaw expansion can be found here.
Are machines used for agricultural operations exempt from the regulation?

The regulation does not apply to machines used in agricultural operations on farm land as defined in the Farm Practices Protection (Right to Farm)Act.
Are there any exemptions to the regulation?
The regulation does not apply to:
- any engines less than 25 hp
- agricultural and recreational equipment engaged in those activities
- marine vessels
- line haul locomotives
- on-road vehicles
- emergency engines
My diesel powered machine has a licence plate that allows travel on public roads. Is the machine still considered as a non-road machine?
If your diesel powered machine is not primarily used or intended to be used for transportation on a public street, road or highway then the engine in the machine is considered as a non-road engine and the regulation will apply.
What are the key requirements of the regulation?
Owners and operators of non-road diesel engines must:
- register the engine/machine
- label the machine
- Pay fees to operate the machine in Metro Vancouver.
Effective dates for engine registration:
- Tier 0 effective January 1, 2012
- Tier 1 effective January 1, 2014
- Tier 2 effective January 1, 2023
- Tier 3 effective January 1, 2024
- Tier 4 effective January 1, 2029
Owners and operators of all non-road diesel engines 25 hp or greater must comply with emission opacity restrictions and Idling restrictions.
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.
What is a Non-Road Diesel Engine?
Diesel engines used in construction, industrial, commercial or stationary machines not used or intended for transportation on public roads are considered to be non-road diesel engines.
Examples include:
- excavators
- graders
- backhoes
- skid steers
- forklifts
- cranes
- grinders
- compressors
- generators
- light towers
Who does the regulation apply to?

The regulation applies if you own, operate or hire non-road diesel engines in Metro Vancouver that are 25hp or greater. The regulation applies to Tier 0 and Tier 1 engines and will apply to Tier 2 (2023), Tier 3 (2024) and Tier 4 (2029) engines in the future. The bylaw limits the exhaust opacity and idling of all non-road diesel engines.
Why do we need non-road diesel engine regulation?
Reducing diesel emissions is the most important step we can take to improve air quality and public health in Metro Vancouver. Emissions of diesel particulate matter (DPM) are responsible for 67% of the lifetime cancer risk from air pollution in Metro Vancouver. In addition to being a threat to human health, DPM contributes to climate change and reduced visibility.

The regulation will promote the reduction of DPM and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from non-road machines that are often operated close to where people live, work and play.

The 2015 Lower Fraser Valley Air Emissions Inventory indicates that non-road diesel engines are the highest contributor of DPM and the third highest contributor of NOx in the Metro Vancouver region.

Registration

How do I enter hours for my Low-Use Operating Period?
Effective January 1, 2019, new requirements for low-use operating periods are in effect.

Hour meter readings for all low-use operating periods must be reported at the end of each calendar quarter during the following reporting periods:

Calendar Quarter          Reporting Periods
Quarter 1                        April 1st - 15th
Quarter 2                       July 1st - 15th
Quarter 3                        October 1st - 15th
Quarter 4                        January 1st - 15th

If an engine is going to exceed the allotted 200 hours for the low-use operating period, the Registrant is responsible to report the hour meter reading and renew the operating period as required.

You will receive a reminder email for any registered low-use engines that require reporting when each reporting period opens.
How do I register my engine?
Register your engine by using the Online Registration System.
How do I renew an engine operating period?
Login to the NRDE Online Registration System

Select the engine that requires a renewal and click "Buy Operating Period"

Select the operating period type (e.g. Annual)

Click on the "Select Date" to select your start date

Click the button labelled “Calculate Operating Period Fee”

Click the button labelled “Add to Cart”

Click the button labelled “Proceed to Checkout”

Select your payment method (Credit Card or Cheque)

***If paying by credit card: Click the button labelled “Pay Now”

***If paying by cheque: Click the button labelled “Generate Cheque Payment Invoice”
What are grey market engines?
Grey market engines are engines manufactured for markets outside of North America and the European Union. They are assumed to be Tier 0 unless it can be demonstrated otherwise by providing supporting documentation about the PM emission rates of the engine. Please contact Metro Vancouver if you require assistance registering your grey market engine.
What are my operating period options?
Annual
Recommended for engines used on a regular basis and is valid for any consecutive 365 day period.
Monthly
Valid for any consecutive 30 day period.
Daily
Intended for very short term use. Valid for up to a consecutive 14 day period.
Annual Low-Use
The low-use option is valid for 200 hours in any consecutive 365 day period. Registrants are required to report engine hour meter readings at time of purchase and at end of each calendar quarter. The engine must have a functioning, non-resettable hour meter installed.
*Moderate-Use*
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
Failure to comply with the regulation is an offence and may result in:
- tickets ($1,000 max)
- fines ($200,000 max)
What happens if I cancel my operating period?
A refund of the unused portion, less a $15 administration fee, will be issued to the registrant. The registrant can then select a new operating period and pay the applicable fees for the new operating period.

Note: There are no refunds for the annual low-use or moderate-use operating period options.
What if I can’t find my engine serial number?
If the engine serial number cannot be located, you can:
- contact the dealer or manufacturer for assistance
- check the equipment documentation
- provide the machine VIN and engine model during the online registration process
- call Metro Vancouver for assistance (604-451-6655)
What information is required for registration?
The online registration system will require:
maximum engine horsepower
engine manufacture year
engine serial number
engine manufacturer
engine model
engine family name (Tier 1 and newer)
engine hour meter reading (for low-use and moderate-use operating period only)
machine manufacturer
machine model
machine type
machine VIN (vehicle identification number)
company details
contact details
payment details
Who is responsible to ensure that contractors and sub-contractors working on my site are in compliance with the Non-Road Diesel Engine Emissions Regulation Bylaw 1161?

If you own, operate or hire non-road diesel equipment, you may be responsible for compliance.
The regulation was written in a way that makes everyone responsible. It states a “person” must not discharge, or cause, permit, or allow the discharge of any air contaminant into the environment from a non-road diesel engine unless in compliance with the regulation.

It then defines a person as the operator of the equipment, the owner of the equipment, the land owner, a government body, or any director, officer, employee or an agent of a person or government body.

Labels

How do I label my machine?
You are required to label the opposite sides of your machine with a Tier label and Registration Number label. If you need to operate before receiving the Metro Vancouver issued labels, you can paint or otherwise permanently affix your own labels.

The registration number is unique for each machine you register, which can be found when logged in to your account on the online Registration System.

The following are requirements for labeling using either the provided labels or your own labels:
- Painted on or otherwise permanently affixed on both sides of the exterior housing of the machine
- In black characters at least 15 cm tall and 10 cm wide on a yellow or white background
- Located at least 1.5 m above or as high as possible on smaller machines
- Visible and legible at all times during operation
How do I obtain my labels?
A set of Tier labels and your Registration Number labels will be mailed to you after you register your non-road diesel engine with Metro Vancouver. You are required to affix these labels to opposite sides of your machine.
How do I obtain replacement registration labels?
If the tier and registration labels provided by Metro Vancouver are lost or destroyed, you can paint or otherwise permanently affix your own labels on opposite sides of the exterior housing of the machine in black characters at least 15 cm tall and 10 cm wide on a yellow or white background. You can also contact Metro Vancouver for replacement labels.
I haven’t received my labels in the mail. What do I do?
You can use temporary labels until the issued labels arrive in the mail.
You can paint or otherwise permanently affix your own labels, provided that you follow the labelling requirements.

Engine Tiers

How do I determine my engine Tier?
Ways to determine your engine Tier:
Refer to Schedule 1 and Tables 1 or 2 in the regulation (page 20)
Ask your manufacturer or dealer
Check your engine emission labels
Use the Tier Calculator provided on the website by entering your engine horsepower and engine manufacture year
Note that the tier/fee calculator is being updated to reflect recent amendments to the bylaw
There will be no changes to fees for Tier 0 and Tier 1 engines until 2024
The following table provides general guidance on estimating your non-road diesel engine tier level.
What is an engine emission label?
Engines manufactured to comply with the EPA emissions standards will have an emissions label indicating the year of applicable EPA emissions standards achieved.

Tier 0 engines were manufactured before emissions standards were in place and will not have an emissions label.
What is an Engine Tier?
The “tier” level of a non-road diesel engine relates to both the age and the amount of emissions it produces. All tiers of non-road diesel engines generate emissions of diesel particulate matter (DPM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
Tier 0 engines are older engines that do not have any emission controls. Tier 1 engines generate slightly lower levels of emissions, but do not have the extent of emission controls found on Tier 2 and 3 engines and, to a much greater extent, on Tier 4 engines.

Opacity

What are the opacity restrictions of the regulation?
Diesel exhaust from non-road diesel engines must not exceed 20% opacity.

The opacity restriction applies to all non-road diesel engines 25hp or greater.
What is opacity?
Diesel engine exhaust contains a complex mixture of gases and particles called diesel soot or particulate matter (PM).

Diesel engine exhaust can reduce the passage of light or obscure the view of a background object observed through the exhaust. Opacity is a measurement of the obscuring power of an exhaust stream expressed from 0 per cent (transparent) to 100 per cent (opaque).

Idling

What are the idling restrictions of the regulation?
The Bylaw restricts idling of all non-road diesel engines to less than five consecutive minutes unless:
- required for safe operation of the vehicle or in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
- necessary to serve the purpose of the machine in the course of its operations (crane, cement mixer, cherry picker, boom lift or similar machine)
- required for testing or maintenance.
- performing emergency work.
- as stated in a written anti-idling policy.
Note: An anti-idling policy is only required to be submitted to Metro Vancouver if requested by the District Director.
Why do we need to stop unnecessary idling?
Unnecessary or excessive idling:
- Causes pollution
- Contributes to global warming
- Not needed for proper operation of machine
- Wastes fuel and money
- Creates unnecessary noise
- Reduces engine life
Idling can be minimized through education and implementation of an anti-idling policy. An anti-idling policy can save money through reduced fuel consumption and reduced engine wear, and will reduce air pollution.

A good anti-idling policy should educate operators on the economic, social and environmental costs of unnecessary idling of diesel engines.

Fees & Payments

Can I reduce or eliminate fees?
Fees can be reduced proportionate to the reduction of diesel particulate matter (DPM) emissions.

In addition, 80% of fees paid over the previous 3 years will be refunded if an engine is permanently retired from use in Metro Vancouver. Effective January 1, 2026 the retirement refund will be increased to 5 years.

Further information on how to reduce emission can be found on the ERM (emission reduction measures) page.
How do I calculate the cost for the various operating periods?
Fees will be automatically calculated during the online registration process. There is a Fee Calculator available on the website to assist in estimating your fees prior to registration.

There will be a non-refundable $15 administrative fee for each operating period purchased.
How does the quarterly payment option work?
The quarterly payment option allows you to pay for your operating periods in four quarterly cheque payments. Interest of 5.00% per annum will be added to your invoice total when you select this option.

Note that this option is only available if all the operating periods on the invoice meet the following requirements:
- All operating periods on this invoice must be Annual
- All operating periods on this invoice must begin on the same date
- The minimum total amount of the invoice is $5,000.00
How much are the fees and what are my operating period options?
There are options to pay for daily, monthly, annual and annual low-use operating periods. The operating period fees are based on the engine tier classification and horsepower. A $15 non-refundable administration fee applies to each transaction.

An example of annual fee rates is shown below. A Tier & Fee Calculator is available on the website to help you estimate your operating period fees.
Annual Fee Rates ($/hp)

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. Example NRDE Fees by Tier
What are my operating period payment options?
Pay by credit card
Pay registration fees with MasterCard or Visa using Metro Vancouver’s Engine Registration System.

Pay by electronic funds transfer
For information on paying registration fees by electronic funds transfer (EFT), please call us at 604-451-6655.

Pay by cheque
To pay fees by cheque:
- make cheques payable to the Metro Vancouver Regional District
- include the invoice remittance form with your cheque
- mail your cheque and remittance form to:
  4515 Central Boulevard
  Burnaby, BC V5H 0C6
  Attention: Financial Services
What are the fee break even points for the operating period options?
Monthly
8 months will cost the same as an annual operating period.

Daily
15 days will cost the same as a monthly operating period.

Use the Tier & Fee Calculator available on the website to help you estimate your operating period fees.
What does Metro Vancouver do with the fees collected for this program?
A portion of the fees collected are used to support the diesel regulatory program and the remainder of the fees are being held in reserve to support the incentive program for when registrants retire their engines.

80% of fees paid over the previous 3 years will be refunded if an engine is permanently retired from use in Metro Vancouver. Effective January 1, 2026 the retirement refund will be increased to 5 years.
What is an engine surcharge fee?
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
- February 1, 2027 for Tier 3 engines that have not been registered for at least 90 days prior to January 31, 2027

Emissions Reduction Measures (ERM)

Is biodiesel considered an ERM?
Yes. The US EPA includes biodiesel in the verified technologies list and can be used with Tier 0 engines. The particulate matter reductions associated with biodiesel are proportional to the amount of biodiesel blended with petroleum diesel fuel. Generally every 1% increase in the blend achieves approximately 0.4% decrease in PM emissions. Biodiesel can be used with exhaust retrofit technology to further reduce emissions.

Diesel fuel sold in BC already contains 5% renewable content (biodiesel). To qualify for a fee reduction, the biodiesel content used in a non-road diesel engine needs to be greater than 5%.

The biodiesel percentage specified during the operating period selection must be used during the entire operating period. Records of engine use and receipts for fuel purchase must also be provided upon request. Officers may also collect fuel samples to confirm biodiesel use.
What is an ERM?
Emissions reduction measures (ERMs) are tools used to reduce the amount of harmful diesel particulate matter (DPM) emitted from diesel engines.
ERMs for non-road diesel engines include:
- exhaust after-treatment retrofit devices using verified technologies*
- engine re-power
- engine re-manufacture
- biodiesel
Further information regarding ERMs can be found on the ERM webpage.

*Verified technologies listed by the US EPA and CARB websites are accepted as approved emissions reduction measures under the Metro Vancouver regulation.
Other products may be considered for approval by the District Director but in the absence of EPA or CARB verification, the onus will be on the registrant to provide sufficient documentation to satisfy the District Director of the emission reductions associated with these products. There is a $2000 fee to recover costs for assessing novel emission reduction measure technologies.

Engine Retirement

How do I retire an engine?
A registered engine can be retired in 3 ways:
by selling the engine for use outside of Metro Vancouver
by scrapping the engine
by permanently moving the engine outside of Metro Vancouver
Proof of engine retirement is required to receive a refund of 80% of the fees paid in the last 3 years leading up to retirement.
Full requirements for engine retirement can be found on the Engine Retirement Application Form.
Note that a retired engine is prohibited from any present or future operation within Metro Vancouver.
*An engine without a serial number must be permanently marked with Metro Vancouver initials (‘MV’) followed by Metro Vancouver’s Engine Registration number.

Health Effects

What are the health effects of diesel particulate matter?
Diesel engines emit a complex mixture of air pollutants. The visible and non-visible emissions are known as particulate matter (PM) and sometimes called diesel soot. The particles are composed of carbon, coated with other chemicals found in the exhaust gases, including known cancer causing chemicals. When inhaled, the smallest of these particles can become embedded in the lungs or even pass through the lungs directly into the blood stream.

Diesel PM is linked to premature death and a number of heart and lung diseases. Diesel PM emissions are responsible for 67% of the lifetime cancer risk from air pollution in Metro Vancouver.

Exposure to diesel PM is a health hazard, particularly to children, the elderly and those working around diesel exhaust.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is one of a group of gases known as nitrogen oxides (NOx) that are produced during high-temperature fuel combustion. On hot and sunny days, NOx can react with volatile organic compounds (VOC) to form harmful ground-level ozone. NOx can also react with other air contaminants to form fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a priority air contaminant in the region. NO2 has direct respiratory effects and contributes to early mortality, particularly for the elderly and those with pre-existing respiratory
conditions.

Contact

How do I get more information?
Call the Metro Vancouver Information Centre at: 604-451-6655
(ask for information regarding Bylaw 1329 or the Non-Road Diesel Engine Emission Regulation.)
Email: nonroaddiesel@metrovancouver.org
Mail: Metro Vancouver
4515 Central Boulevard
Burnaby, B.C.
V5H 0C6
Where is Metro Vancouver?
Metro Vancouver consists of 24 local authorities spanning an area from Lions Bay and Bowen Island to Maple Ridge and the Township of Langley (Aldergrove), and includes the Tsawwassen First Nation.

Complaints

How do I file a complaint?
If you have a specific concern about the emissions from a non-road diesel engine or wish to file a complaint, contact Metro Vancouver’s 24-hour Air Quality Complaints and Inquiries Line: 604-436-6777 or fill out the Air Quality Complaint Form