Regulation redesign: simplifying rules for city building

Updated and simplified land use regulations and policies will result in more streamlined review processes.

We have started a comprehensive review of our regulations, policies, and processes for planning, development, and building.

The aim of the review is to:

  • Simplify, clarify, and update regulations
  • Improve the consistency of regulations and policies
  • Streamline permit review processes
  • Ensure land use regulations align with our emerging policies and priorities
  • Improve communication and information sharing

View the Regulation Redesign presentation  (1.1 MB) which contains background information on the project's key objectives. 

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Contact us

regredesign@
vancouver.ca

Recent updates

We launched the Regulation Redesign project in November 2018 with a series of public engagement activities:

November 26 to December 6, 2018 - Pop-up engagement events around town and at the Development and Building Services Centre to listen to experiences with Vancouver's land use regulations and policies.

November 28, 2018 - over 65 stakeholders attended a roundtable event to share ideas and experiences with Vancouver's land use regulations and policies, and told us how they want to be involved.

Regulatory updates

On July 17, 2018, Council approved several regulatory improvements at public hearing.

The amendments include updates to the RS zones, clarifying decision-making authority throughout the bylaw, providing more flexibility for artist studio live and work spaces, simplifing review processes, and repealing outdated policies.

Next steps

Ongoing regulatory updates to streamline review processes, simplify and consolidate regulations, bylaws, and policies to make it user friendly will be reported to Council throughout the review.

Open house

To continue the conversation on how to improve our land use policy and regulations, we hosted two open houses on January 29 and February 2, 2019, and held listening sessions in the community with industry stakeholders.

Timeline

Here is our process and anticipated milestones

  • Spring -
    winter 2018

    Phase 1: Project Start Up

    What we are doing:

    • Review regulatory framework and best practices
    • Public consultation, listening sessions, kiosk at the development and building services centre, stakeholder roundtable, pop-up events in the community
    • Seek feedback to identify issues and ideas of the current land use zoning and development regulatory framework

    Who we’ll consult with:

    • Development and building industry professionals, builders, and the broader public
  • We are here

  • Winter -
    summer
    2019

    Phase 2: Develop options and directions

    What we will do:

    • Prioritize issues based on findings in Phase 1
    • Report to Council with options and directions

    Who we'll consult with:

    • Development and building industry professionals, builders, and the broader public

  • Fall -
    winter 2019

    Phase 3: Initiate implementation

    What we will do:

    • Amendments to simplify regulations and review processes
    • Strategy for ongoing rationalization

What is Zoning?

Watch the video to learn more: Zoning 101

Zoning map and regulations

Zoning sets out how property can be used and developed. Find zoning districts and regulations, bylaws, and policies.

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