Amend an R1-1 district subdivision category

You can enquire about proposing a reclassification by emailing [email protected].

Subdivision staff can give advice on the Subdivision By-law, the intent behind the 7 categories, and any applicable policies or by-laws effecting subdivision.

To apply for a reclassification, you must provide:

1. A letter of application, which clearly states: 
   • The name, address, telephone number, and email address of the person making the application
   • The applicant’s interest in the property (for example: 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
   • 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
2. A letter of authorization from the property owner if you are acting on their behalf.
3.  A non-refundable fee of $7,640. Cheques should be made out to the “City of Vancouver.”
4. A current title search of the properties involved in the proposal, from the Land Title Office in New Westminster. You may be asked to provide copies of any charges on title, or submit a charge summary prepared by a lawyer, if they are extensive.
5. A map which shows the property or properties to be included in the amended category.

Proposals can be emailed to [email protected], to the attention of the Approving Officer.

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.

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.

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.