Approved use letter
An approved use letter may be requested to confirm the current approved use for both commercial and residential properties under the Zoning and Development and Building by-laws.
Who can submit this request?
- Anyone (The information we can provide regarding by-law enforcement activities and ongoing non-compliance will be limited without the owner's consent.)
Property research letter
A property research letter (also referred to as a comfort letter) includes a search of the information on file for a particular address based on records maintained by the Development, Buildings, and Licensing Department. These letters may include the following property information and records:
- Outstanding orders from violations of these by-laws:
- Zoning and Development By-law
- Vancouver Building By-law (includes plumbing)
- Electrical By-law
- Gas By-law
- Standards of Maintenance By-law
- Untidy Premises By-law
- Graffiti By-law
- Sign By-law
- Parking By-law
- Business Licence By-law
- Current zoning
- Approved use of the building or a specific portion
- Issued permits without final inspection approval
- Pending permit applications
- Current business licence
- Heritage significance
- Marijuana grow operation records (if an unsafe to occupy notice was posted)
- Compliance with yard and setback requirements (when you provide a recent, sealed survey plan with your request)
Who can submit this request?
- Anyone (The information we can provide is limited without the owner’s consent.)
- Property owner or a third-party agent with the owner’s consent (Agents will need to complete and submit an owner/strata authorization form with their request.)
Who to contact for inquiries or property records
Independent school certification letter
The Ministry of Education requires independent schools to complete a certification process, and a part of that process is to get a letter from the local municipality confirming that the school facility complies with all local municipal requirements.
An independent school certification letter may be requested to confirm the property is in compliance with our Zoning and Development and Building by-laws.
If we determine that a building is in non-compliance, we will issue a letter outlining the deficiencies and steps required to bring the property into compliance. After all identified deficiencies have been corrected, you will be required to resubmit a new application (with the associated fees) to get a letter that certifies the property is in compliance with our Zoning and Development and Building by-laws.
Who can submit this request?
- The school
- Third-party agents (These agents will be required to submit an owner/strata authorization form.)
Copies of permit documents
Copies of permits and some documents associated with the development and building permit application processes are routinely releasable. These include, but are not limited to:
- Copies of issued development, building, and trades permits
- Prior-to letters
- Enforcement orders (only those that are posted at a property)
- City documents (for example previously issued approved use or property research letters)
Who can submit this request?
There are some documents that can only be released to the current registered owner of a property or an agent with an owner/strata authorization form. These include:
- Building plans
- Building code compliance reports
- Engineer’s reports
- Enforcement letters and orders
- Permit applications
- Permit related inspection reports
- Alternative solutions
- Equivalency reports
