Simplifying Development Permit Requirements
Motion 13 · Council Meeting, June 13, 2023
Summary
- Proposes replacing the current rainwater management plan review process under the Zoning and Development By-law (ZDBL) with a streamlined process under the Building By-law (VBBL).
- The current ZDBL process averaged 56 weeks for development permit approval in 2022 (ranging from 20–129 weeks); the new Building By-law approach is expected to reduce this to approximately 3 weeks.
- The simplified process would eliminate multiple submissions, permit holds, and case-by-case legal covenant negotiations that currently slow down housing development approvals.
- New rainwater management requirements would apply city-wide starting January 1, 2024, to all new complex (Part 3) buildings, excluding residential buildings with eight or fewer dwelling units.
- Existing in-stream permit applications not yet issued would be sheltered from the new requirements and would not need to resubmit under the new rules.
- Staff recommend referring the proposed by-law amendments to a Public Hearing, with updates also proposed to the Green Buildings Policy for Rezonings and the Rezoning Policy for Sustainable Large Developments to align with the new approach.