Board of Variance and Parking Variance Board

Appeal submission deadlines and meeting dates

How to file an appeal

Hearings occur at 1:15pm in Committee Room 1, 3rd floor, or Townhall, Main Floor, City Hall, 453 West 12th Avenue.

Terms of reference

The board operates under the terms of Board of Variance Bylaw and The Vancouver Charter, section 572.

• Read the Board of Variance Bylaw
• Read about the Board's legal authority in the Vancouver Charter
• What is the Vancouver Charter?

The board hears appeals on decisions made under these bylaws:

• Zoning and Development Bylaw

  Regulates the development of property in Vancouver by encouraging land use and building in accordance with community goals and visions for the future of Vancouver and its neighbourhoods.

• Sign Bylaw

  Regulates the number, type, form, appearance, and location of signs according to zoning districts and uses within a district.

• Protection of Trees Bylaw

  Allows us to preserve, protect, and strengthen our urban forest, while still providing some flexibility for tree removal in the event of property maintenance and development.

• Parking Bylaw

  Regulates the number and design of parking, loading, bicycle parking, and passenger spaces that are to be provided in association with development on a site.

Board decisions are binding. City committees or Council may give information to the Boards on particular appeals, but they cannot influence Board decisions.

Meeting frequency

The board generally meets at City Hall the second Wednesday of each month. Meetings start at 1:15pm, and run until all appeals have been heard.

There is also a site inspection the day before each board meeting to visit all the sites under appeal. Site inspections start at 1:00pm and run until all sites have been visited.

Time commitment

The time commitment during meeting weeks is 15 hours per week on average. Considerable time is also spent reviewing appeals.

As well, many board activities occur during weekday daytime hours, so board members should have a lot of control over their schedule.

Quorum

There must be a minimum number of three members of the board present to make decisions.

Remuneration

Members of the Board of Variance are entitled to receive payment for their expenses incurred in the conduct of their official duties on the board, including transportation to and from:

• Their home or office to meetings of the board
• Inspection trips to view sites involved in appeals

Membership

Both Boards consist of the same five members, all of whom are appointed by City Council, who usually have experience in the building industry. Appointed or elected City officials cannot be Board members.

All members can be reappointed. There is no limit on the number of terms a member may serve. The Chair is elected by the members.

Members

In accordance with the City's Civic Committee public selection process, City Council appointed five members to the board on July 24, 2018. Terms expire July 31, 2021.

• Gilbert Tan – Board Chair
• Denise Brennan
• Namtez (Babbu) Sohal
• Jasmean Toor
• Simona Tudor