On December 9, Council approved a report in principle on Demolition Permitting Optimization. The amendments would enable earlier demolition for eligible residential rental accommodations, while preserving protections for Rental Housing Stock Official Development Plan (RHS ODP) areas and rental protections under the Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy (TRPP). As a result, the initiative aims to result in a faster permitting process, reducing projects holding costs for projects that meet the TRPP and are outside of rental housing stock protected areas. 

For non-rental projects in the R1-1 District, these changes would address the current inability to demolish vacated buildings and prevent them from becoming public nuisances or hazards. The City’s current demolition permit regulations do not distinguish between projects with existing tenants and those without. Where the RHS ODP applies, a demolition permit will not be issued until after the Development Permit is issued, and the Building Permit Stage 1 fees are paid. Where TRPP applies and tenants are present, a demolition permit will not be issued until after the DP is issued, and the BP is issuable. 

No changes are proposed to existing tenant protection policies, and tenants outside the TRPP remain protected under the Residential Tenancy Act. In these cases, earlier issuance of an RTA notice to end tenancy may be possible, as demolition permits could be issued earlier. 

Process improvements include: 

• Streamline City staff coordination for demolition permit approvals;
• Support more efficient and sustainable demolition practices; and
• Reduce carrying costs for applicants by enabling Director of Planning discretion to release the Demolition Permit before a Building Permit is issued (where TRPP and RHS ODP apply, and all requirements are satisfied). 

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