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 Guide (RR-1, RR-2A, RR-2B, RR-2C, RR-3A, and RR-3B) PDF file (3.6 MB)
    • Rental District Schedules Design Guidelines PDF file (3.5 MB)
  • Cambie Corridor Townhouse - Rezoning Guide (RM-8A/8AN) PDF file (275 KB)
    • RM-8A and  RM-8AN Guidelines PDF file (1.2 MB)
  • 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

  • Engage consultants and professionals and prepare your application materials.
  • Review the annotated checklist of submission requirements, and download and complete the relevant application form.

  Annotated checklist

  Zoning district change checklist PDF file  (202 KB)

  Application form

  • Secured Rental Policy RR district rezoning application form PDF file (131 KB)
  • Cambie Corridor townhouse rezoning application form (RM-8A/8AN) PDF file (170 KB)
  • Mount Pleasant industrial rezoning application form (I-1C) PDF file (296 KB)
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  Step 3: Apply for rezoning

  Submit application

  Before submitting a formal rezoning application, ensure that there is no intention to expand the project site with additional lots. Once an application is received and processing initiated, it will not be possible to amend an in-stream application.

  Important note To alter a project site, a formal letter of withdrawal and submission of a new application will be required. 

  Finish preparing your rezoning application and submit it to rezoningapplications@vancouver.ca. 

  Calculate fee

  Refer to fee schedule in the Zoning and Development Fee By-law, Schedule 2 - Zoning Bylaw Amendments PDF file (610 KB) to calculate your fee. 

  Important note The final fee payment notice will be issued after receipt of a complete application submission.

  Processing time

  Rezoning application processing times may be subject to change, due to factors such as application volumes.

  Applications rezoning to RR-2C, RR-3B, or I-1C that are subject to a negotiated CAC may require a longer processing time. 

  •  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 make a recommendation for referral. City Council decides whether to refer the rezoning application to a public hearing.

  A: We ask for public feedback

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

  • Preparing site sign information to be installed on the property 
  • Creating a project webpage on Shape Your City (rezoning and development)
  • 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 a virtual information session (open house).

  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 review your application

  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 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
  • May set legal conditions for approving your application, such as:
    • Site consolidation (Ownership under one entity will be required following rezoning approval)
    • Scope of service infrastructure required and associated costs
    • Provision of community amenity (CAC or in-kind amenities)
    • Dedication of land for transportation purposes

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

  We liaise with our meeting coordinators to add the report to a Council meeting agenda. 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 5.
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  Step 5: 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 rezoning and development
  • 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 6.
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  Step 6: 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, comply with the associated guidelines, and  meet the conditions of approval of the form of development 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.