Apply for a zoning district change

Steps to make a rezoning application

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  Step 1: Find out if policy supports your proposal

  You can apply to rezone if your property is located in eligible areas of the Council-approved rezoning policy. 

  Review:

  • Secured Rental Policy Low-Density Transition Areas – Rezoning Policy Guide PDF file (4 MB)
  • Cambie Corridor Townhouse - Rezoning Policy Guide (RM-8A/8AN) PDF file (275 KB)
  • Mount Pleasant Employment-Intensive Light Industrial Rezoning Policy and Guidelines (I-1C) PDF file (1.75 MB)

   Need help?  Email: rezoning@vancouver.ca and include the property address and existing zone.

  •  If rezoning policy supports your proposal, go to step 2.
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  Step 2: Prepare your application

  • Review the application guide to identify the applicable submission requirements and complete application form.
  • Engage consultants and professionals and prepare your application materials.
  • Review what you need to do before applying, such as sharing information with any existing tenants on site.

  A. Review the submission guide

  • Zoning District Change Application Guide PDF file (263 KB)

  B. Complete the application form

  • Secured Rental Policy RR District Rezoning Application Form PDF file (159 KB)
  • Cambie Corridor Townhouse Rezoning Application Form (RM-8A/8AN) PDF file (185 KB)
  • Mount Pleasant Industrial Rezoning Application Form (I-1C) PDF file (255 KB)

  •  To apply for rezoning, go to step 3.
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  Step 3: Apply for rezoning

  Prepare all the required documents, email a complete application package, and pay the fee to begin the rezoning review process.

  A. Gather documents

  Prepare a complete application package with appropriate document naming.

  To calculate the expected fee ahead of time, refer to the fee schedule in the Zoning and Development Fee By-law, Schedule 2 - Zoning By-law Amendments PDF file (1.2 MB)

  B. Email a complete application package

  Email a download link to rezoningapplications@vancouver.ca

  A rezoning planner will be assigned to manage your application and be your primary contact.

  C. Pay application fee

  Rezoning staff will issue a payment notice after reviewing the application submission package and confirming completeness.

  Completion of payment will signal the start of the rezoning process. Rezoning staff will then distribute your application for staff review.

  Rezoning applications take about one year to process (from fee payment to public hearing). The duration may vary based on:

  • The complexity of your proposal
  • The issues raised during our review of your application
  • Further study and the information that is needed
  • Application revisions

  •  To find out what happens in the review process, go to step 4.
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  Step 4: Application review and referral to public hearing

  We ask for public feedback, review your application, and send your draft rezoning conditions to review.

  A: We ask for public feedback

  For all zoning district change applications, we notify the public by: 

  • Preparing the site sign information to be installed on the property 
  • Creating a project webpage on Shape Your City External website, opens in new tab
  • Mailing notification postcards to surrounding properties

  Important note For rezonings to RR-1, RR-2A/B/C, and RR-3A/B we may also hold an online question and answer session.

  Important note We do not seek Urban Design Panel advice at the rezoning stage as there is no proposed form of development to review. 

  B: We complete an in-depth review

  We evaluate your application based on:

  • Council-approved plans and policies
  • Input from the public and other City departments

   Your application may take longer to review and process if we:

  • Need you to provide more information
  • Raise an issue with your application and you need to revise it or reapply

  C: We send you rezoning conditions

  Towards the end of the application review process, your rezoning planner will send documents to you for review before proceeding to public hearing. This may include legal conditions such as:

  • Site consolidation
  • Scope of service infrastructure required and associated costs
  • Dedication of land for transportation purposes

  Review the conditions carefully and agree to them in principle before proceeding to public hearing. Approval of a rezoning at public hearing legally obligates the developer to meet the rezoning conditions before enacting the by-law and developing under the new zone.

  •  To hear the decision to refer your application to public hearing, go to step 5.
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  Step 5: Referral to public hearing

  We finalize the referral report and make a recommendation for referral. City Council decides whether to refer the rezoning application to a public hearing.

  A: We make a recommendation for referral

  We write a report for City Council that:

  • Analyzes your application
  • Summarizes the feedback we received
  • Recommends to refer your application to a public hearing and whether to approve or refuse your application
  • Attach the legal conditions for approving your application as an appendix

  B: City Council decides on whether to refer the report to a public hearing

  At this meeting: 

  • City Council may ask us questions about the application and public engagement process to inform their decision
  • You can let Council know why they should still consider your application if we recommend that they refuse it
  • Council decides to either refer your application to a future public hearing or refuse it

  •  To hear the decision on your application at a public hearing, go to step 6.
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  Step 6: City Council decides on your application at a public hearing

  City Council must hold public hearings to consider and decide on rezoning applications (for zoning by-law changes) and heritage designations, according to the Vancouver Charter.

  To prepare for the public hearing, we:

  • Contact you to review the required materials and preparations necessary for your rezoning application to be heard at the public hearing
  • Update the site sign information for you to install on the property
  • Update a project webpage on Shape Your City External website, opens in new tab
  • Mail notification postcards to surrounding properties
  • Advertise in newspapers

  At the public hearing:

  • Our meeting coordinators summarize the agenda item and correspondence they received about your rezoning application.
  • We present the application to City Council with a recommendation to either approve or refuse your application.
  • You may also present to Council and respond to questions from Council members.
  • Members of the public who register to speak present to Council.
  • Council discusses your application.
  • The mayor calls for a vote on the motion to approve, amend, or refuse your rezoning application after Council members have spoken.

  Learn more about public hearings

  •  If City Council approves your rezoning application in principle, go to step 7.
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  Step 7: Meet the conditions of approval

  Meet the conditions of approval for your rezoning application before Council enacts the zoning by-law.

  A: Apply for a development permit

  Start the development permit process after Council approves your rezoning application in principle at a public hearing. All proposals will need to meet the intent and regulations of the relevant district schedule and comply with the associated guidelines and meet the conditions of approval of the development application that's identified in the Council report (Appendix B, Part 1).

  • Apply for a development permit

  Your development permit can only be issued after you meet all conditions of approval and Council enacts the zoning by-law.

  B: Zoning by-law enactment

  For enactment, you need to meet the conditions of by-law enactment identified in the Council report (Appendix B, Part 2). When you're ready for enactment, we'll liaise with our meeting coordinators to add the new zoning by-law to a Council meeting agenda for Council to vote on.

  You can confirm enactment by reviewing Council meetings.