New measures to boost rental housing

In 2018, we began a review of our rental housing incentive programs. This review was an action identified out of the Housing Vancouver Strategy and the Housing Vancouver: Three-year action plan.

The review was completed in two phases and on November 26, 2019, Council approved the Secured Rental Policy: Incentives for New Rental Housing. The policy encourages new rental housing across Vancouver, while also working toward other City objectives.

What's happening

Report to Council on proposed changes

Staff are bringing a report to Council on proposed amendments to the C-2 commercial zoning districts. The proposed zoning changes would enable secured rental housing to be developed up to 6 storeys in select C-2 commercial areas. These changes would apply to C-2 commercial areas outside of recently approved community plans or in areas where community planning processes are currently in progress. Staff are also proposing minor changes for all development in C-2 commercial areas city-wide.

This report to Council focuses solely on Secured Rental Policy implementation in C-2 commercial areas. This report does not include any directions for Low-Density Transition Areas (RS and RT zones).

Find more information about the report to Council

The below information on this page was designed for public engagement purposes in spring 2020. Since that time, staff have refined proposals for zoning amendments in C-2 commercial areas. For more up-to-date information and details, see the Council report (8 MB).

View a detailed timeline of the implementation actions (39 KB)

Stay informed

Proposed policy and zoning changes will be subject to Public Hearing and require Council approval. As part of the Public Hearing process, members of the public have an opportunity to provide comments on agenda items or speak to Council at the Public Hearing prior to any Council decision.

Staff are bringing a report to Council on zoning changes in C-2 commercial areas. Find more details about the report

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Past public engagement

In spring 2020, we held a series of public information sessions to provide details on the actions being proposed to implement the Secured Rental Policy and the policy directions approved by Council:

Tue Mar 3, Killarney Community Centre (with Cantonese interpretation services)
Thu Mar 5, Dunbar Community Centre
Mon Mar 9, CityLab
Tue Mar, 10 Hastings Community Centre (with Cantonese interpretation services)
Wed Mar 11, Kitsilano Neighbourhood House
Thu Mar 12, Polish Hall
Tue Mar 17, Sunset Community Centre (cancelled due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus))

We received public feedback on the proposed changes at the information sessions, as well as through online comment forms on our webpage. The online comment period was open between March 3 and April 3, 2020.

Read a summary of the initial findings from public feedback (331 KB)

Background on proposed changes

Following Council’s approval of the amended Secured Rental Policy, we're working on necessary next steps for the implementation of policy directions. This work consists of two primary action areas:

Proposed zoning amendments in select commercial areas (C-2 zoning districts) to enable rental housing development up to 6-storeys through a ‘pre-zoning’ approach
Simplified rezoning options for rental housing in low density transition areas (RS and RT zoning districts)

The implementation actions are intended to help achieve a range of desired outcomes under the Secured Rental Policy:

Increasing housing choice for renter households
Streamlining processes and clarifying policy requirements
Diversifying rental housing options
Responding to the City’s Climate Emergency
Helping enhance local shopping areas
Improving livability of rental housing

Read a short summary of the Secured Rental Policy available in English (4 MB), Simplified Chinese (4 MB), or Punjabi (5 MB).

Rental housing in C-2 commercial areas proposed changes
One of the key directions approved by Council is to amend the zoning in select commercial areas so that building rental housing is simpler and faster.

Rental housing development in C-2 areas would no longer need to go through a rezoning process. This would cut a significant amount of time from the application process and increase clarity around rules.

Where changes would apply

The areas being considered include the C-2 zoning districts* outside of recently approved community plans or in areas where community planning processes are currently in progress.

Open a large view of the map (PNG)

What is being proposed
- Amendments to the zoning to allow rental buildings up to 6-storeys without a rezoning process
- Allowing simpler building designs that enhance livability and enable more sustainable buildings
- Green building requirements to help respond to the Climate Emergency
- Family housing requirements to help meet the needs of different household types
- Increased building set-backs from the street to help create wider sidewalks
Examples of potential 6-storey rental building design

Street view (PNG)

View from laneway (PNG)

Street view (PNG)

View the information session materials (3 MB) for more information on the proposed changes for rental housing in select C-2 areas.

Other proposed zoning changes in all C-2 commercial areas

In addition to the changes proposed for rental housing development described above, some minor changes to the zoning are being proposed for all new mixed-use development in C-2 commercial areas. These changes would apply in all C-2 zoned areas, including in recently approved community plan areas and areas where planning programs are currently underway.

These changes would help align regulations for new residential strata development in C-2 areas with the proposed changes for rental housing development and ensure more functional commercial spaces in all new buildings.

View the information session materials (856 KB) for more information on proposed changes in C-2 areas.

Timeline

Late 2018 - Nov 2019

Rental Policy Review, public and stakeholder engagement
Nov 2019

Council approves Secured Rental Policy
Nov 2019 - Feb 2020

Public and stakeholder engagement
April - summer 2020

Proposal refinement
We are here
June 2020

Referral report to Council on proposed C-2 zoning changes
Summer 2020

Public Hearing for commercial (C-2) areas
Summer 2020

Additional opportunity for public input regarding Low-Density Transition Areas (RS/RT)