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Policies and Initiatives

Riparian Areas Regulation (RAR)

NEW: Information Bulletin for developers, businesses and residents - see Bulletin INFO-23

On March 27, 2006 the City of Richmond Council adopted a Richmond-Specific Riparian Management Approach as its response strategy for meeting the Riparian Areas Regulation (RAR).

PDF Document Riparian Areas Regulation Response Strategy Council Report 

The RAR is provincial legislation, which came into effect on March 31, 2006. The RAR affects local governmental approvals for new residential, commercial and industrial developments.

Further information can be found in the following sections:

What are Riparian Areas?
Riparian areas are those areas adjacent to watercourses (ditches, streams, sloughs, canals, lakes and wetlands.)

Although they account for only a small portion of British Columbia's land base, riparian areas are a critical component of the Province's biodiversity and are typically areas of high ecological productivity.

Since all of Richmond's watercourses eventually enter the Fraser River, Richmond's upland riparian areas are critical for helping to provide suitable water quality to support the Fraser River aquatic environment.  Key riparian functions include shading, soil stability, providing nutrients, and filtering pollutants.

About the RAR
The Riparian Areas Regulation (RAR) is a provincial policy directive under the provincial Fish Protection Act (FPA).  The regulation provides protection for the features, functions and conditions that are vital for healthy aquatic systems.

Affected local governments are prohibited from issuing approvals that do not protect riparian areas in accordance with the RAR.

When does the RAR Apply?
The RAR applies to residential, commercial or industrial activities or ancillary activities within a designated Riparian Management Area (RMA). This includes:

  • Construction of buildings and structures (including residential buildings on farmland);
  • Creation of non-structural impervious or semi-impervious surfaces (eg parking lots, patios);
  • Removal, alteration, disruption or destruction of vegetation;
  • Disturbance of soils;
  • Development of recreational activities (e.g. parks, trails, golf courses); and
  • Development of new services (e.g. sewer system, dykes and roads).

When does the RAR Not Apply?
The RAR does not apply to the following activities: 

  • Development not within a Riparian Management Area;
  • Farming activities or institutional development;
  • Existing permanent structures, roads and other development; and
  • Reconstruction or repair of permanent structure if the structure remains on its existing foundation.

Further information: Ministry of Environment  Riparian Areas Regulation
Riparian Management Area
City of Richmond RAR Response Strategy
The City's adopted approach proactively identifies those watercourses within Richmond where the RAR applies and establishes two categories of Riparian Management Areas:

  1. 15m RMA
  2. 5m RMA

Development activities, as identified in the RAR, are not permitted to occur within a Riparian Management Area.


How does RAR Affect Richmond Developers, Businesses and Residents?
The City cannot issue approvals or permits unless they conform with the City's adopted RAR Response Strategy.

If a proponent is seeking permits or approvals from the City (e.g. development permits, rezoning, subdivision, temporary use permits, building permits, etc.) for a property that is wholly or partially within a Riparian Management Area , the proponent must demonstrate that the proposed development activity is either:

  1. Not within the property's identified RMA; or
  2. The RAR does not apply

NEW: Information Bulletin for Developers, businesses and residents describing responsibilities for identifying and protecting Riparian Management Areas.

PDF Document INFO-23 Riparian Management Areas

Identifying Riparian Management Areas

The City's GIS Inquiry provides an approximation of the presence and extent of the areas where the RAR is applicable. Visit the GIS Inquiry, click on layers, expand planning services, select the 5m and 15m RMA layers, zoom in or search for an address. 

It is the responsibility of the applicant to conduct a survey, following the methodologies outlined in the RAR, to establish the actual extent of any RMAs on site and to provide this information to the City.

The RMA is to be measured horizontally from the High Water Mark (HWM) or Top of Bank (TOB), as illustrated in the RMA Measurement Diagram below. High water mark is defined in the provincial  RAR Assessment Methods.

RMA Measurement Diagram Picture 2011



City of Richmond - Riparian Management Areas Map

Riparian Areas Map

PDF Document  Riparian Areas Map

To search for Riparian Management Areas by address visit the City's GIS Inquiry.

Other Legislative Considerations
Areas within and outside of an RMA may still be subject to other legislative requirements such as: