About Development and Rezoning


The City utilizes a series of regulatory tools to ensure that building and development are carried out in accordance with the Local Government Act, the Land Title Act, and other provincial or municipal legislation.

Maintaining Standards

Regulatory tools are in place to ensure that:

  • buildings and structures are constructed in a manner which meets minimum life, fire, and health safety requirements.
  • appropriate access is provided to property.
  • business standards are appropriate to the community.
  • nuisances are minimized.
  • incompatible land uses have appropriate separation.

Customer Services

To assist property owners, builders and developers in dealing with the regulatory environment, customer services have been consolidated into a central service area at City Hall.

Development, Rezoning, and Subdivision and other Development Applications are processed by the Development Applications Department, also in the City's Planning and Development Division.

The Development and Zoning section of our web site contains the information guides, application forms, related attachments, notices, schedules, and bulletins required to begin the process of applying for a permit to carry out any development project or to apply for rezoning or subdivision of a property.

Refer to the Bylaws section to view bylaws online, including the Building Regulation Bylaw, the Zoning Bylaw and the Official Community Plan.

See Demographic Hot Facts for information about Richmond.

Most of the publication, bulletins, and forms you may require are available on this web site. Others may be obtained from the Customer Service Centre at City Hall. If you require assistance, please visit City Hall or call the Information Centre at 604-276-4000 to be directed to the correct department. For additional information see the Contacts section of this web site.

Please point your mouse on Development & Rezoning in the main menu on the left to see the list of topics in the fly out menus.