On November 12th, Council directed staff to engage stakeholder groups on seismic risk and potential seismic risk reduction actions and return to Council in 2025 with a private buildings seismic risk reduction strategy. This feedback will be used to inform the development of a buildings seismic risk reduction strategy. Staff will then return to Council in 2025 with this proposed strategy.  

Staff have identified several potential actions the City can take to begin reducing risk: 

• Currently, the City reduces risk each year through VBBL Part 11 mandated upgrades of buildings required at the time of major renovations; and 
• City-adopted community plans and policies enable the redevelopment of some at-risk buildings each year. These existing actions can be enhanced and improved to reduce additional risk. When taken alongside more additional, targeted actions, the City can begin to reduce risk meaningfully.  

More targeted actions could include: 

• Creation of an at-risk building inventory through seismic building evaluation; 
• Development of nonmarket housing retrofit pilots; and 
• Community and owner education programs supportive of preparedness and voluntary upgrade action. 

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