BIA initiatives

A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is established, renewed, or expanded by a Council initiative. It is a process formally endorsed by the Council.

BIA initiative types

City staff will bring a report to Council to start a Business Improvement Area (BIA) initiative if:

Renewal: An existing BIA reaches the end of their term (typically 5 to 7 years) and needs to renew
Expansion: An existing BIA believes they have support to expand their area
Establishing: A new non-profit believes they have support to create a new BIA

Current initiatives
Cambie Village BIA Renewal
- Cambie Village BIA Renewal - Business response letter template (520 KB)
- Cambie Village BIA Renewal - Property owner response letter template (540 KB)
Collingwood BIA Renewal
- Collingwood BIA Renewal - Business response letter template (505 KB)
- Collingwood BIA Renewal - Property owner response letter template (508 KB)
Collingwood BIA Expansion
- Collingwood BIA Expansion - Business response letter template (521 KB)
- Collingwood BIA Expansion - Property owner response letter template (525 KB)
Hastings North BIA Renewal
- Hastings North BIA Renewal - Business response letter template (541 KB)
- Hastings North BIA Renewal - Property owner response letter template (542 KB)

How a BIA initiative is approved

Steps in the approval process
1. A BIA connects with businesses and property owners in the area proposed for the initiative through several months of outreach, including surveys, open houses, and canvassing.
2. The BIA seeks approval for the proposed initiative from existing members at their annual general meeting (AGM).
3. The BIA submits a written request to the City, asking the Council to endorse the proposed initiative.
4. City staff writes a Council report with any proposed BIA initiatives for the Council to consider and approve as part of the formal notification process.
5. City staff sends a notification package to all property owners affected by the BIA initiative. This package includes details about the initiative, the area it covers, and the estimated annual charge and rate, based on the Vancouver Charter.
6. City staff also sends a notification package to all businesses affected by the BIA initiative. This package includes information about the initiative and the area it covers, following City policy.
7. Businesses and property owners may submit their response (support or oppose) to the City Clerk before the deadline, 5:30pm on the last Friday in January. Review a list of current initiatives
8. Council convenes a Court of Revision as required for any special levy on property owners. Convened early February, this meeting’s purpose is to resolve any errors on the tax roll for affected properties and not to consider the initiative.
9. City staff reports back to Council with recommendations to either approve or reject a BIA initiative, based on the responses received from the City Clerk. The public may come and speak on the initiative at the Council meeting in late February.
10. If Council approves a BIA initiative, we will bring by-laws for adoption at a subsequent Council meeting. These by-laws will designate the impacted areas and allow us to apply the BIA levy to property owners. Additionally, the by-laws will outline the conditions for using the funds and our administrative responsibilities for the BIAs.
Key decision criteria for Council

Under the Vancouver Charter, the Council is required to reject an initiative if more than 50% of property owners, representing over 50% of the total assessed value, oppose it.

Furthermore, BIA initiatives are generally not approved if at least half of the businesses object, with these objections counted separately from those of property owners. However, Council is not strictly bound by these thresholds.