Solar access in public spaces

Where solar access guidelines apply for new developments

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  Areas outside of downtown

  

  Neighbourhoods outside the downtown peninsula have a generally orthogonal (grid pattern) street grid.

  For development in these areas, refer to the Solar Access Guidelines for Areas Outside of Downtown PDF file (226 KB).

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  Downtown areas

  In the downtown peninsula, the street grid is rotated and urban intensity is higher. A more flexible, context-sensitive approach is used to balance sunlight access with housing, economic, and design priorities.

  Proposed development in these areas should refer to the Solar Access Guidelines for the Downtown Peninsula PDF file (418 KB)

  How to use the guidelines

  1. Use Table 1 PDF file (418 KB) to determine the classification of the nearby public open space or refer to Map 2 or Map 3 PDF file (418 KB) for applicable blocks of Davie Village and Robson Village.
  2. Use these decision trees to determine how and when to apply the guidelines based on the classification of the nearby public open spaces:
     • Decision Tree A PDF file (125 KB): Properties near a community, neighbourhood or local park, or a school site
     • Decision Tree B PDF file (126 KB): Properties near a West End minipark or urban plaza
     • Decision Tree C PDF file (120 KB): Properties near Davie Village or Robson Village

Digital model requirements for new developments

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  When to submit a digital model

  When submitting a rezoning or development application, you may be asked to submit a digital model of the proposed development for us to verify solar access assessments or to help develop solar budget analyses. Information icon We will confirm if a model is required.

  Review the 3D Model Submission Requirements PDF file (210 KB) for model submission requirements.

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  What's new with solar access

  City-wide development guidelines ‘Phase Two Actions’

  July 2025: City Council adopted Solar Access Guidelines for the Downtown Peninsula PDF file (418 KB) and directed staff to continue monitoring and improving the guidelines as required. Feedback from the 2024 reporting was provided to Council as part of this update. 

  Council reports and minutes

  • Council report PDF file (457 KB) 
  • Meeting minutes PDF file (396 KB)

  City-wide development guidelines ‘Early Actions’

  July 2024: To support delivery of housing, hotels, and jobs space, especially near rapid transit infrastructure, City Council adopted Solar Access Guidelines for Areas Outside of Downtown PDF file (226 KB) and directed staff to explore opportunities to further update downtown solar access policies.

  Council received the City-wide Development Guidelines ‘Early Actions’ report PDF file (35.5 MB), which responded to 2 key Council motions focused on view protection modernization and accelerating housing delivery. The report introduced updates to our public views policies and the Solar Access Guidelines for Areas Outside of Downtown, and outlined our approach to tower floor plate limits.

  Staff were directed to report back on:

  • An area-specific solar access approach for downtown
  • The impacts of modifying the shadow assessment window outlined in the Solar Access Guidelines for Areas Outside of Downtown from 10am to 4pm to 10am to 2pm PST

  Council reports and minutes

  • Council report PDF file (35.5 MB)
  • Meeting minutes PDF file (161 KB)
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  Background

  The City-wide Design and Development Guidelines (CDDG) initiative, led by the Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability department, is consolidating and modernizing over 70 existing urban design guidelines and advisory documents into a single, integrated, and user-oriented resource.

  The project aims to:

  • Streamline the development application and review process
  • Provide clear, consistent, and high-quality design standards
  • Promote liveability and sustainability across all development types and scales

  The CDDG focuses on outcome-based performance standards that promote clarity, innovation, and design excellence. This work directly supports the goals of the corporate Permitting Improvement Program (PIP), 3-3-3-1, and aligns with Vancouver Plan implementation, both of which aim to improve policy clarity and permitting efficiency across the development process.

  Together with actions taken in 2023 and 2024, this initiative represents another significant step in our efforts to streamline, rationalize, and harmonize Council-approved land use documents.