Advocacy Update #22 - September 23, 2025

In this issue:

  • Share Your Feedback on the Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project

  • Have Your Say: Provincial Permitting Processes Update

  • Update to REDMA Assignment Reporting Requirements

  • New! BC Hydro to Present Guide to Utility Clearance at Summit

  • Jurisdiction Accepting Part 9 Lateral Load Designs

Share Your Feedback on the Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project

Phase 3 of the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) Transformation Project engagement is underway, with an initial session held on August 20 and a second session on September 17. 

 

Proposed updates include changes to permitting processes, new requirements for mandatory archaeological data checks, the creation of 'heritage management zones', and the expansion of cultural value to include 'intangible' heritage. Penalties for contravention are also set to increase. 


CHBA BC participated in both sessions and is currently preparing a written submission outlining member feedback which highlights potential unintended consequences including project delays, increased costs, and added requirements. 


For a brief summary of the proposed changes, click here. If you would like to share your feedback on the proposed changes, we encourage you to share your comments with Jenny Scott at jenny@chbabc.org. 

Have Your Say: Provincial Permitting Processes Update

We are pleased to share that on Monday, the Province announced proposed changes to their permitting process to speed up permitting, reduce the backlog of permit applications, and help builders get shovels in the ground. Permitting reform will cover an initial 16 topics including:

  • Exemption for construction dewatering;

  • Exemption for constructing ice roads to access restoration sites;

  • Expediting existing use groundwater applications;

  • Expanded eligibility for stream restoration;

  • Low-volume water use without an authorization;

  • Enhancements to the Riparian Area Protection Regulation;

  • Strategic use of offset payments to support wetland conservation;

  • Managing all wetland classes;

  • Wetland Identification and Delineation Manual and wetland professional accountability;

  • Administrative penalties timelines; and 

  • Streamlining Forest Act permitting in Ministry of Transportation and Transit right-of-ways.

CHBA BC will be preparing a written submission on these proposals, building on issues and opportunities raised during our meeting with the Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship earlier this year. If you would like to share your feedback on the proposed changes, please don’t hesitate to share your comments with Jenny Scott at jenny@chbabc.org. 

Update to REDMA Assignment Reporting Requirements

Amendments to the Real Estate Development Marketing Regulation under the Real Estate Development Marketing Act (REDMA) were announced last week. These changes clarify and refine obligations for developers regarding the filing and correction of assignment information, which are effective September 30, 2025. Key changes include new filing deadlines and expanded reporting obligations. For more information, see the amended regulation or click here for a summary.

New! BC Hydro to Present Guide to Utility Clearance at Summit

Laneway housing and multiplex housing projects that are in proximity of existing power lines should review BC Hydro’s Guide to Utility Clearance (released on September 8), to ensure projects are designed to comply.

 

BC Hydro’s team will be presenting information from the guide on utility clearances at CHBA BC’s Education Summit 2025, and reviewing how these clearances can be applied to dwellings being designed in proximity of existing power lines.

Jurisdiction Accepting Part 9 Lateral Load Designs

CHBA BC is pleased to recognize and congratulate the City of Cranbrook Building Team for their collaborative efforts and allowance of prescriptive approaches to lateral loads designs for Part 9 new construction. We applaud the City of Cranbrook for its leadership and look forward to seeing positive impacts on housing development in the region.

The City of Cranbrook Building Team understands the additional cost implications of the seismic requirements with the engagement of a registered professional. Therefore, we are working actively with our developers and contractors to provide a higher level of awareness of the BC Building Codes prescriptive approach to seismic design that also serves to identify triggers that mandate professional engineering. In some cases this has allowed designers to make some adjustments to their initial design that allow them to harmonize with the prescriptive path approach. This collaboration is very important for the City of Cranbrook as we work together with our very high level of professionals, developers, and contractors that we are fortunate to have in our jurisdiction.

The Bank of Canada announces a new rate cut.

 

CMHC reports Canadian housing starts drop 16% in August.


BC developers skeptical of new Build Canada Homes program.

This newsletter is exclusive for Canadian Home Builders' Association of BC (CHBA BC) members. If a colleague would like to subscribe, please have them update their contact information with their local association. For questions, feel free to contact Jenny Scott, Director of Policy and Government Relations, or Pauline Rupp, Director of Technical and Building Innovation.

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