Amending Subdivision Categories in the RS-1, RS-3, RS-3A, RS-5 and RS-6 Districts

Background

On January 19, 1988, Vancouver City Council amended the Subdivision By-law, creating seven categories of minimum parcel width and area for subdivisions in the RS-1 Zoning District. Subsequently, properties zoned RS-3 and RS-3A were each assigned three of those categories, properties zoned RS-5 were assigned six of the categories and properties zoned RS-6 were assigned four of the categories. The categories reflect the historic and prevailing subdivision pattern of the immediate area within which the properties are located.

Subdivision Category	Minimum Width	Minimum Area
A	30 ft.	3,000 sq. ft.
B	40 ft.	3,600 sq. ft.
C	50 ft.	5,000 sq. ft.
D	60 ft.	5,400 sq. ft.
E	75 ft.	6,750 sq. ft.
F	100 ft.	12,000 sq. ft.
G	150 ft.	18,000 sq. ft.

When Council amended the By-law for RS-1, it agreed to review requests to reclassify properties. All lands in these five zoning districts may be considered for reclassification. The following procedures must be followed by anyone who proposes to amend the category for their property.

How to Initiate an Amendment

Initially, an inquiry about a proposed reclassification should be made by calling 604.871.6627 or 604.873.7556, or by visiting the Rezoning and Subdivision Counter on the Third Floor, East Wing, City Hall. Subdivision staff can give advice on the Subdivision By-law, the intent behind the seven categories, and any applicable City policies or by-laws effecting subdivision.

Staff may be able to identify issues to be addressed in the proposal, give some indication whether the proposal may prove controversial, and indicate a suitable broader area for reclassification, if appropriate.

Please note that generally, applications will be considered only on a block-by-block basis. Applicants should refer to the attached Minutes from the Special Meeting of City Council on October 29, 1987 to determine the intent behind the categories and the method used in determining the original classifications.

How to Make an Application

Applications to reclassify must be submitted in the form of a letter addressed to the Subdivision Approving Officer. Your letter must contain the following information:

• the applicant’s name, address and telephone and fax numbers;
• the applicant’s interest in the property (e.g., property owner, prospective property owner, or agent);
• the legal description and street address of the property or properties proposed for reclassification;
• the present subdivision category of the property or properties proposed for reclassification;
• the requested subdivision category; and
• a statement of rationale giving reasons why the applicant feels that the property or properties should be reclassified, why the proposed category has been chosen, and what effects reclassification will have on the surrounding area.

In addition, a map (suggested scale 1:1000 m or 1" = 100') which shows the properties to be included in the amended category must be submitted, along with a non-refundable processing fee of $3,780.00. Cheques should be made out to the “City of Vancouver”.

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What Happens Next

Subdivision staff may notify owners of the properties in the subject block, owners of properties adjacent to or across the street from the subject block, and other property owners deemed affected, asking for their comments and reasons why they support or oppose the proposed reclassification. If a proposal is complicated, staff may convene a public information meeting in the neighbourhood.

The applicant’s proposal, a summary of comments from the notified property owners, if applicable, and recommendations from the Subdivision Approving Officer, will then be reported to City Council. When Council considers the proposed reclassification, all parties affected will be given the opportunity to make submissions or to address Council.

If Council agrees with the proposed reclassification, then the Subdivision By-law will be formally amended to reflect the change. Subdivision applications could then be accepted and reviewed in accordance with the new minimum parcel width and area standards.

Note:

The subdivision parcel-size category is only one of several criteria that the Approving Officer considers before approving or refusing an application to subdivide land. Compliance with the parcel-size category does not assure subdivision approval. Individual subdivision applications are reviewed for compliance with a number of other by-law requirements and standards, including issues such as access and servicing, the affect of the subdivision on adjacent lands and the impact of the subdivision on buildings which might be retained on the property. For information on whether or not the property in question has subdivision potential, please contact the Subdivision Group at the numbers listed below.

Proposals can be delivered to the Rezoning and Subdivision Counter, Third Floor, East Wing at City Hall, or mailed to:

The Approving Officer
Development Services
City of Vancouver
453 West 12th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Y 1V4

For further information, please call 604.871.6627 or 604.873.7556.

Please note that the information contained in this website is intended as an overview about the Subdivision and Strata Title process. This information should not be construed as legal documentation. It departs from the necessary legal and technical terminology used in the Vancouver Charter and applicable City by-laws. Any contradiction, dispute, or difference between the contents of this website and applicable City by-laws, policies or guidelines will be resolved by reference to the by-laws or other official documents.

 

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