For development permit applications opened before January 1, 2024
If your project requires a rainwater management plan, you may be eligible to transition to the Building By-law rainwater management requirements External website, opens in new tab. Contact your project coordinator or project facilitator to determine eligibility.
Eligibility will depend on whether or not construction has started and the conditions applied to your project. For eligible projects, the building’s design for rainwater management must meet:
- The more restrictive of the “release rate requirement” of the Building By-law and the terms of the rezoning approval (if applicable) and development permit, and
- The greater of the volumetric “capture requirement” of the Building By-law and the terms of the rezoning approval (if applicable) and development permit.*
Generally, a requirement for a water quality treatment device may not need to be carried forward into construction for projects that transition to the Building By-law rainwater management requirements, but the development must still comply with erosion and sediment control requirements and water quality standards for discharged stormwater (Review reference documents).
* Certain sites are exempt from the “capture requirement” under the terms of their rezoning approval (if applicable) and development permit. This exemption may be carried forward.
For eligible projects without an issued development permit:
You will need to show compliance with the Building By-law rainwater management requirements at the plumbing permit application stage. No rainwater management documentation will be required for eligible projects at the rezoning or development permit application stages.
Generally:
- We will deem the appropriate rainwater management conditions to have been met in the “prior-to permit issuance” letter and Referral Report (as applicable), by virtue of compliance with the downstream plumbing permit application process.
- We will remove any holds on a building permit or occupancy permit related to rainwater management and will waive the obligation for a rainwater management legal agreement.
For eligible projects with an issued development permit, but which have not commenced construction:
You will need to submit a (new or revised) plumbing permit application to show compliance with the Building By-law rainwater management requirements.
Generally, we will remove any holds on a building permit or occupancy permit related to rainwater management.
After the plumbing permit has been issued, you may request to unwind the rainwater management legal agreement. To complete this process, submit a Form C (Release), which you can obtain and have prepared by a notary or lawyer.
For eligible projects that have started construction:
Projects under the Certified Professional program with staged construction may be eligible to transition to the Building By-law rainwater management requirements External website, opens in new tab, if construction has not progressed beyond excavation and shoring. Eligible projects will need to follow the process described above for projects with an issued development permit.
All other requests to transition to the Building By-law rainwater management requirements will be addressed case-by-case. Questions? Email rainwater@vancouver.ca
