AS part of a broader approach to increasing childcare spaces across Vancouver, City Council has approved zoning amendments to expand opportunities for operators running childcare businesses from their residential property.
“This approval makes a practical, modest adjustment to existing rules that can help unlock new childcare spaces where they’re needed most — right in our neighbourhoods,” said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim on Wednesday. “It helps grow childcare capacity, supports operators and balances local housing needs while also maintaining neighbourhood character.”
The zoning amendments will allow a licensed childcare facility for more than eight children and one home to co-locate on the same residential property, as long as the childcare is in a separate unit with its own entrance and no internal connection. Previous zoning rules did not allow a group childcare (more than eight children) to co-locate with a residential unit on the same site.
Childcares serving eight or fewer children are not impacted by this change as those operators may already live in the same dwelling where care is provided.
These zoning amendments do not change existing safety or licensing requirements. All childcare facilities must continue to meet all building safety standards under the Vancouver Building By-law and Provincial childcare licensing regulations.
The approved zoning amendments deliver several key benefits for families, childcare providers and neighbourhoods:
- More childcare options where families live:
This move paves the way for new and expanded daycares in neighbourhoods where families live, reducing travel time and making daily routines easier for parents and caregivers. - Improved options for childcare operators:
The change offers small- and medium-sized childcare providers an opportunity to expand beyond eight children and to still live on the property. This includes the opportunity for a laneway house to serve as either the residence or the childcare.
Council’s decision complements the City’s broader approach to expanding childcare across Vancouver including:
- Significant investment in delivering six new City-facilitated group childcare centres between 2024 and 2026 in collaboration with the Vancouver School Board, Provincial, Federal and community partners.
- Streamlining design guidelines and development processes for childcare.
- Relaxing City parking requirements for childcare facilities.
- Working with partners to increase childcare spaces in downtown and along the Broadway corridor.
Since City Council’s adoption of Making Strides: Vancouver’s 10-year Childcare Strategy in 2022, the City says it has made significant progress developing childcare and finding innovative ways to support implementation of the provincial and federal governments’ vision of a universal early care and learning system. Since the strategy was approved by Council in 2022, more than 2,000 new childcare spaces have become operational in Vancouver.
For full details, access the Public Hearing agenda and referral report here: https://council.vancouver.ca/
For more information about opening or expanding a childcare facility, visit vancouver.ca/childcare.
