National

B.C. announces online building permit hub to speed up homebuilding across province

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 27 May, 2024 04:14 PM

The British Columbia government says a new online "hub" will speed up building permit processes across jurisdictions.

Premier David Eby says "slow and complicated" building permit processes have delayed housing development at a time when it's urgently needed.

The province says the digital building permit system will be a "one-stop shop" for local building permits, and 12 municipalities and two First Nations governments are part of the first pilot phase of the new system.

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon says the new system is unique in North America and aims to cut wait times for builders by standardizing requirements that suffer from inconsistencies in different communities.

We’re exploring new ways to speed up the delivery of homes for people.

Today, we launched a Building Permit Hub to make the permitting process smoother for homebuilders and get shovels in the ground as quickly as possible - without unnecessary delays.

👉🏾 https://t.co/L5cZoYeBEB pic.twitter.com/dnNWC662vd
— Ravi Kahlon (@KahlonRav) May 27, 2024

Eby says builders have seen interest rates rise dramatically, and holding land while awaiting building permits creates a significant cost.

Kahlon says projects are sometimes held up for months as applications get passed around between builders and cities, while the two sides work on compliance with completion requirements.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Fire that gutted Metro Vancouver school caused by humans, police say

Police say they believe a fire last October that destroyed an elementary school in Port Coquitlam, B.C., was human caused. Coquitlam RCMP say the investigators are now asking those responsible or people who may know who is responsible to come forward and contact police.

Fire that gutted Metro Vancouver school caused by humans, police say

Surrey RCMP at scene of collision with natural gas leak

Surrey RCMP is at the scene of a motor vehicle collision in the area of 66th Avenue and 128 Street, where one vehicle has hit a natural gas meter. Fortis BC has been advised, and the immediate area is being evacuated as a precaution until crews can arrive to make repairs.

Surrey RCMP at scene of collision with natural gas leak

Overdose toll hit 198 in January, down 10 percent but over 6 deaths a day

The overdose death toll in January reached 198 people, down about 10 per cent from the same month last year, but still more than six deaths a day. The B-C Coroners Service says the majority of those who died were male and the highest death rate was in north and central Vancouver Island and the northern Interior.

Overdose toll hit 198 in January, down 10 percent but over 6 deaths a day

4 in hospital after 2 vehicle crash in Kelowna

Four people are in hospital after a two-vehicle crash in Kelowna. R-C-M-P say it happened last night on Highway 33 when Toyota collided with a Dodge. The Mounties say all four were taken to hospital in critical condition.

4 in hospital after 2 vehicle crash in Kelowna

Bank card scam in Burnaby

Mounties are warning of the latest bank card scam that has taken in a few people in Burnaby. Police say they've had five reports of people getting calls from someone saying their bank or credit card had been compromised.

Bank card scam in Burnaby

Female dead in Sooke

Police in Sooke say a female has died after being struck by a vehicle. R-C-M-P say the incident happened at about 5:30 this morning. Police say emergency responders attempted to save the woman, but she didn't survive.