Planning & Development
The Planning and Development Division is responsible for issues and services affecting the physical form of the City, including:
- Building permitting and review services;
- Tree Protection Bylaw administration;
- Reviewing all development applications (i.e. rezoning, development permits, development variance permits, subdivisions, etc.) ;
- Coordinating the design and installation of infrastructure improvements and assessing and collecting Development Cost Charges and other development related fees for all new developments as required;
- Establishing the planning and design policies that help shape the transportation system of the City;
- Carrying out key functions include the planning and functional design of the City's transportation infrastructure of roads and traffic operation controls including traffic signals;
- Prepare the Official Community Plan (OCP) and Area Plans;
- Prepare the long range land use, urban design and environmental policies (e.g. agricultural, industrial, heritage, environmental, flood management);
- Supporting City Advisory Committees regarding a variety of topics related to improving the lives of Richmond residents; and
- Working with other agencies in the development of policies, programs and services to respond to the needs of vulnerable populations, and to nurture and enhance the community's social capital.
CommunityPlanning@richmond.ca 604-247-4626
Community Planning Information
CommunityPlanning@richmond.ca 604-276-4207
Official Community Plan
CommunityPlanning@richmond.ca 604-276-4279
Building Approvals
Permits
Responsible for receiving and reviewing construction drawings for all types of buildings and structures, prior to permit issuance. The drawings are reviewed for compliance to the BC Building Code, as well as City Zoning and Development and Building Regulations. For large and complex buildings, the section undertakes reviews on plumbing and mechanical systems.This review process involves different areas within the City, such as Health, Fire and Planning. Comments from the various areas are reviewed, complied and forwarded to the applicant. When all issues from the various areas are resolved, a permit is issued.
Inspections
Responsible for on the site construction of the building, and the associated plumbing and gas work.The Inspectors are responsible for inspecting the various stages of building construction and associated plumbing/gas installation to ensure compliance with all applicable codes and bylaws. By using the reviewed drawings, the inspector is able to assist the builder in identifying areas of concerns or unusual/new construction techniques which may require special attention.
The Permits and Inspection sections of the Building Approvals Department work together to ensure the minimum standards with respect to public health, fire protection, life safety, and structural sufficiency is uniformly addressed, on all buildings and structures within the City of Richmond.
604-276-4224 Coordinator, Permits & Plan Review 604-276-4303 Coordinator, Plumbing/Gas
604-276-4119
Related Links:
Development Applications
- Reviewing all development applications (i.e. rezoning, development permits, development variance permits, subdivisions, etc.)
- Assessing and collecting Development Cost Charges and other development related fees;
- Coordinating the design and installation of infrastructure improvements for all new developments as required;
- Providing advice on engineering matters in the community planning process;
- Naming streets and providing street addresses; and
- Maintenance of property records.
The Development Applications Department works with other City divisions including: Transportation, Policy Planning, Engineering and Public Works, Clerk's, Law, Zoning, Building Approvals, Community Bylaws, Finance and Richmond City Council.
The division also consults directly with property owners, residents, developers, architects, engineers, planners, other government bodies as part of the development application review process.
DevApps@richmond.ca 604-276-4138 or 604-204-8653
Development Fees & Charges Enquiries
zoning@richmond.ca 604-276-4017
Related Links:
- Development & Rezoning
- Richmond Official Community Plan
- Planning & Zoning
- Development Permit: A Guide to Obtaining a Development Permit in Richmond
- Subdivision Guide: A Guide to Subdividing Property in Richmond
- Rezoning Guide: A Guide to Rezoning Property in Richmond
- Publications List
- Climate & Environment (browse the fly-out menu for topics)
- City Bylaws (see Zoning Bylaw)
- Richmond Interactive Map (RIM)
Policy Planning
Mandate
Policy Planning specializes in establishing long range community planning policies, and develops and implements land use and environmental policies and urban design guideline policies in consultation with the community to make Richmond "the most appealing, livable and well managed community in Canada".
Clients
Policy Planning clients are external clients: communities, residents, organizations, land owners, and developers; and internal clients: Council, committees and City staff.
Partners
Policy Planning partners include Federal, Provincial, Regional and Municipal organizations, businesses, community organizations, institutions and consultants.
Expertise
Planning is the process of managing interests and change. In assisting the City of Richmond to be the most appealing, livable and well managed community in Canada, the Policy Planning staff is comprised of community, land use and environmental planners who provide a wide range of professional services including: visioning, options analysis, policy development, co-ordination, organizational development, urban design, research, data management, training, promotion, project management and community development.
Services
Policy Planning provides the following services:- Plan Preparation and Monitoring (e.g., OCP, area plans);
- Long Range Research and Policy Development:
- Urban design issues;
- Physical, land use issues (e.g., Agriculture Viability Strategy);
- Environmental issues (e.g., ESA Review);
- Data Management:
- Census data management;
- OCP data;
- City "Hot Facts;"
- Other;
- Community Group Liaison and Support (e.g., ACE, Heritage Commission)
- City Liaison on Committees:
- Port Authorities;
- GVRD Committees;
- FREMP;
- Regional Committees;
- Internal Services:
- Front Counter Client inquiries;
- Land use information;
- Strategic Team support;
- Integrated Service Team support
Policy Planning
PolicyPlanning@richmond.ca
Port and Harbour Authorities Liaison
Social Development
Community Social Development focuses on working cooperatively with other agencies in the development of networks, programs and processes to respond to the needs of vulnerable populations, promote cultural enrichment, and nurture and enhance the community’s social capital. Examples of the City’s commitment to social development include:
- Direct service delivery
- Adoption of policies
- Development of strategies and plans to address targeted population groups and areas of concern
- Advocacy to other levels of government
- Support of community agencies and partners
- Securing child care facilities and other community amenities from private development through the rezoning process
The following sections make up the Community Social Development Department:
- Social Planning
- Child Care
- Youth Planning
- Seniors Planning
- Accessibility and Poverty Reduction
- Inclusion
- Homelessness
Strategies and Plans
Community Social Development is grounded by a solid foundation of strategies and plans that guide its work. The Social Development Strategy is the overarching strategy that provides a framework for advancing the City’s role in social planning in the community. In addition to the Social Development Strategy, the following plans and strategies help guide the department’s work:
- Homelessness Strategy
- Collaborative Action Plan to Reduce and Prevent Poverty
- Child Care Strategy
- Seniors Strategy
- Dementia-Friendly Community Action Plan
- Child Care Action Plan
- Youth Strategy
- Cultural Harmony Plan
Advisory Committees
Six of the City of Richmond’s Council-appointed Advisory Committees are involved in the work of community social development:
- Accessibility Advisory Committee
- Child Care Development Advisory Committee
- Community Services Advisory Committee
- Intercultural Advisory Committee
- Seniors Advisory Committee
- Social Development Advisory Committee
- Youth Advisory Committee
If you are interested in volunteering your time and expertise on any of the following committees, information can be found on the Advisory Bodies page.
Director, Community Social Development SocialPlanning@richmond.ca 604-247-4671