Illustration of people in a Vancouver cityscape with high-rise buildings and urban development

Higher Buildings Policy Review

We're reviewing the Higher Buildings Policy (911 KB). This policy was adopted in 1997 to provide guidance for downtown’s tallest buildings.

A review of the Higher Buildings Policy will look at how updates to this policy can help advance our key objectives, including more community benefits and implementation of the approved Granville Street Plan.

What's happeningHelp shape Vancouver’s skyline

Help shape the future of Vancouver’s skyline through an updated Higher Buildings Policy (911 KB).

Phase I engagement: In April and May 2026, we engaged the public through a variety of channels, including a series of pop-up events, an exhibit at the Vancouver Lookout, and an online survey.
Learn more about the Higher Buildings Policy Review: (6.2 MB).
Ideas Competition: This first phase of engagement concludes with an Ideas Competition to gather design ideas on how to best deliver made-for-Vancouver solutions to taller buildings. The competition is now live until November 30, 2026.
Find out more about the competition .

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Key documents
- Higher Buildings Policy (911 KB)
  - This is the current version of the Higher Buildings Policy, which was first approved in 1997 and last updated in 2018.
- Granville Street Plan (23.7 MB)
  - The Granville Street Plan was approved by Council in 2025. One of the plan implementation actions directs staff to undertake a review of higher buildings in the city centre.