GI-2024-17-reg5: Vancouver International Airport Zoning Regulations

The main businesses affected are commercial property developers and real estate companies planning to build in parts of Richmond, Vancouver, Burnaby, and Delta that fall within the new or expanded zoning areas. If you're planning a new high-rise or tall structure in those areas, you'll need to stay under the applicable height ceiling — generally 45 metres above ground level in the outer surface zone, with higher limits allowed the farther you build from the airport. The government confirmed that no current approved or in-progress development plans conflict with the new rules, and all existing buildings and fully permitted projects are grandfathered as legally non-conforming. Municipalities will also need to rethink stormwater management designs, since large open-water ponds that attract birds won't be permitted — though alternative approaches like vegetated filter strips or permeable pavement are available at comparable cost. The small business lens analysis found no impact on Canadian small businesses, and there is no incremental administrative burden triggering the one-for-one rule.