Vancouver is revamping its development permitting process to speed up timelines and reduce costs. Changes include raising the threshold for sewer and water upgrades in residential renovations, cutting the need for traffic impact studies, and eliminating street use permits for small home renovations. Sprinkler permits now involve industry professionals and are auto-issued, drastically reducing processing time.

City Council aims for a 3-3-3-1 strategy: three-day approval for home renovations and single-family homes, three-month approval for multi-family projects, and one-year approval for large-scale projects. Vancouver’s construction times, per a CMHC report, exceed national averages, prompting these reforms. A detailed update on these changes is expected this summer.