NEW data shows it’s getting easier to build housing, start a business or grow an existing one in Vancouver with faster, simpler and more predictable permitting and licensing, says the City of Vancouver.

“At a time when housing affordability remains one of the biggest challenges facing our city, we’re taking action to remove barriers and speed up approvals,” said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim on Tuesday. “Every day saved in the approval process helps deliver homes, jobs and community benefits sooner.”

He said that as Vancouver continues to grow, permitting plays an important role in supporting housing delivery, economic growth and complete neighbourhoods. Faster, simpler and more predictable approvals help housing projects and businesses move forward sooner, bringing homes, jobs and services to communities across Vancouver.

Highlights:

• Home renovations: 92% of simple renovation permits are being issued within three days.
• Laneway homes: 50% faster from 200 days in 2022 to 100 days in 2025.
• Single detached homes: 36% faster permit processing times from 250 days in 2022 to 160 days in 2025.
• Multi-family and mid-rise homes: 46% faster processing time for development permits, from 18.1 months in 2023 to 9.8 months in 2025.
• Business licenses: 98% faster from 16 weeks in 2022 to two days in 2026.

Since 2022, the City has simplified regulations, removed unnecessary requirements, introduced new digital tools and streamlined internal review processes to reduce delays and improve customer experience. Key changes include:

• Streamlined Development Building Permit process for certain multiplexes, reducing processing times by 50%, making it faster to build new homes.
• Introduced a new low-density housing portal, allowing applicants to explore project requirements for their site, track the progress of their application and communicate with City staff all in one place, making the process simpler.
• Approximately 70% of potential development permit conditions were eliminated, simplified or shifted to risk-based reviews, reducing processing times and creating a more predictable process for applicants.

While permitting times have improved across many application types, the City says it recognizes that more work is needed to support housing delivery and economic growth. The City will continue making permitting easier so more housing projects and businesses can move forward, supporting complete neighbourhoods where people can live, work and access the services they need.

For more information on permitting improvements, visit vancouver.ca/permitting.

BELOW are highlights of key results and improvements.

It’s getting faster:

To renovate:
• 92% of simple renovation permits were processed within 3 days so far this year.
• 45% faster processing time for all home renovation permits in 2025 compared to 2022.

To build a home:
• 50% reduction in permit approval wait times for laneway homes, from 200 days in 2022 to 100 days in 2025.
• 36% faster permit processing times for new single detached homes, from 250 days in 2022 to 160 days in 2025.
• 46% faster processing time for development permits for multi-family and mid-rise homes (including multiplex homes) in 2025 (9.8 months) compared to 2023 (18.1 months).
• 50% decrease in permit processing time for multiplex projects as a result of the streamlined multiplex application stream.

To start a business:
• 40% faster processing time for commercial renovations permits in 2025 compared to 2022.
• 98% faster processing time for business licence applications, from 16 weeks in 2022 to two days in 2026.

• Removed development and building permit requirements for straightforward commercial changes of use for five common business types, saving businesses 8–12 weeks in processing time.

It’s getting simpler
• Approximately 70% of potential development permit conditions were eliminated, simplified, or shifted to risk-based reviews.
• Removed outdated submission requirements, such as acoustical reports, traffic demand management (TDM) plans and traffic impact studies, resulting in reduced costs for applicants and quicker processing times.
• 95% reduction in review time (from 56 weeks down to 3 weeks) for complex rainwater management plans by shifting the process from the development permit stage to the Vancouver Building By-law building permit stage.
• 75% of Engineering Services sewer reviews eliminated by streamlining sewer capacity reviews.
• 64% of compliance items removed from plan reviews by adopting a risk-based approach.
• Expanded use of City-initiated rezonings is reducing reliance on site-specific rezonings, cutting up to 12 months from overall project timelines.

It’s getting more predictable
• Digital application portal: Allows applicants to explore their projects, save their work and apply when they are ready, communicate with City staff directly and track their application progress all in one place.
• Digital permit exploration tool: Allows applicants to research and understand all regulations and requirements associated with their site, providing clarity and guidance to applicants before they get started with the permit application process.