Childcare regulations in residential zones under review

Proposed changes

We're working on by-law amendments to allow the conversion of an existing house into a childcare facility with 9-or-more children, while also retaining one residential dwelling on the lot. The proposed by-law amendments would allow either:

1. Childcare use and one dwelling for residential use in the same house
2. Main house fully converted to childcare use with a laneway house as one dwelling

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  Conversion options

  A single-detached house:

  • Could be converted into a childcare facility and 1 dwelling unit (by creating 2 separate units)
  • With a secondary suite could convert 1 unit into a childcare facility and retain the other as a dwelling
  • With a laneway house could convert the single-detached house into a childcare facility and retain the laneway house as a dwelling
  • With secondary suite and a laneway house could convert the single-detached house with secondary suite into a childcare facility and retain the laneway as a dwelling. In this case, the secondary suite must be removed, as the laneway house would be the 1 dwelling that is permitted.

  

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  Regulations under the proposed by-law changes

  • The house that is being converted to a childcare facility must be an existing single detached house or single detached house with secondary suite.
  • Only 1 dwelling unit is permitted on the lot. You cannot have 2 or more dwelling units.
  • The childcare facility and dwelling must have separate external access and no shared internal access. Residents in the dwelling must be able to access their dwelling without passing through the childcare outdoor space or indoor space, and vice versa.
  • The childcare facility must meet Vancouver Building By-Law requirements for a childcare. In most cases, building upgrades are necessary.
  • These new options are to be allowed in all low and medium density residential zones (R1-1, R3, R4, R5, RT, and RM zones, First Shaughnessy District).

If by-law amendments are approved

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  Process to apply

  Applicants who are interested in the new options would be required to:

  • Work with an architect early on to ensure that the house being converted to a childcare will meet Vancouver Building By-Law requirements for a childcare
  • Submit a childcare license application to Community Care Facilities Licensing (CCFL) at Vancouver Coastal Health (Province of BC)
  • Submit a Development Permit application
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  Comment on a proposal

  When an existing childcare with 8-or-less children wants to expand to become a childcare for 9-or-more children, or a brand-new purpose-built childcare is being proposed, it would require a Development Permit application. Typically, such permit applications have a notification process that includes signage on the property, and notifications sent to neighbours. At that time, neighbours would have an opportunity to learn about and comment on the proposed development.