outlined the new fee structure, noting that \u201cincreased regulation and the resulting process and technology challenges\u201d have combined with \u201cCOVID-related supply chain issues in the construction industry\u201d to extend permit turnaround times during 2021.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWhile Vancouver city council has taken steps to reduce wait times \u2014 adding 75 additional staff members in 2017 and approving another 25 new positions in 2019 to handle the increased workload \u2014 the city continues to face a permit and building inspection backlog. According to the report, without increasing fees the building permitting program will not generate enough money to cover its costs.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cCost and revenue neutrality for the permitting program is targeted at the program level,\u201d the report states, \u201cand is intended to recover both the direct and indirect costs associated with administering the program and its services.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nIn addition to the fee hike, Vancouver city council is being asked to approve a new $218-per-hour fee for customers who want expedited copies of property research letters and documents.<\/span><\/p>\nAccording to the report, \u201ccustomers sometimes require expedited service due to tight deadlines (e.g. closing a real estate deal) and will ask staff to complete their requests ahead of those already in our queue.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nStaff will only complete these requests outside of regular operating hours, the report states, so they will not have any impact on requests already in the queue.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThus, this new fee will provide customers an avenue to expedite time sensitive requests without unfairly delaying other requests in our queue. Further, as this fee will enable staff to complete some requests outside of our regular queue, we anticipate an overall improvement to our processing service level agreement.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nAlong with rising fees, the number of Vancouver developments are expected to increase in 2022 as well. After experiencing a downturn in 2020, applications for permits and rezoning services have increased during 2021 and the number is expected to rise in 2022.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cForecasts indicate 2022 building and development permit applications volumes will see a 53 per cent increase on 2020 actuals and a two per cent increase over 2021 year-end forecasts,\u201d the report states. \u201cA more modest increase of approximately seven per cent is expected for 2022 trade permits, compared with 2020 actuals and a four per cent increase on 2021 applications.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIn 2022, staff anticipate rezoning applications will be similar to 2020 levels with volume forecasts of 77 applications in 2021 compared to 77 applications in 2020. This reflects steady growth, but still not at pre-COVID levels.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
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<\/a>Photo: Adobe Stock<\/em><\/p>\n