As mentioned in previous updates, on September 17, Council approved updates to the Citywide Design and Development Guidelines. The report highlights various updated guidelines, including that downtown developments avoid casting new shadows on parks, plazas, school yards, and key sidewalks between 10 am and 4 pm.   

Following UDI engagement in a dedicated workshop and concern over the potential difficulty of achieving the guidelines, staff amended the report to the following framework: 

• The Guidelines clearly identify the applicable priority public open spaces and the allowable exceptions where warranted.  
• The focus remains on the fall equinox (September 22) from 10 am to 4 pm PDT. 
• As a general standard, new shadowing during those hours should be avoided on public school sites, Community, Neighbourhood, or Local Parks, and the north sidewalk of Davie Village, with similar guidelines for Robson Village.  
• Case-by-case exceptions will be considered for projects delivering affordable or social housing, major public amenities (e.g., public childcare facilities), or advancing significant city-building priorities identified by City policies applicable to development in the downtown peninsula (e.g., Hotel Development Policy).  

During the meeting, a motion was passed to remove section 6.2, outlining that applications that propose that 100% of residential dwelling units are secured as social housing may be exempted from these guidelines. The intention to remove this section was to ensure social housing also receives the same solar access as other projects. 

More information can be found in the full report by City staff. 

September 2, 2025

On August 22, UDI and the City of Vancouver held a workshop to discuss the proposed Downtown Solar Access Guidelines. Discussion included the City’s overview of the changes and a summary of the background analysis. UDI will continue to monitor the progress of the guidelines and engage with the City. 

More information can be found in the presentation slides from City staff. 

August 5, 2025

Following a report that went to Council on July 23 on the Citywide Design and Development Guidelines, Council passed a motion that the report be referred back to staff to allow for some updates to the report and engage with stakeholders. The City will hence be looking to set up a workshop with UDI prior to the next Standing Committee on Policy and Strategic Priorities Meeting on September 17, 2025. The report highlights various updated guidelines including that downtown developments avoid casting new shadows on parks, plazas, school yards and key sidewalks between 10 am and 4 pm.  

More information can be found in the  staff report and the correspondence  submitted by UDI to the City of Vancouver.