Vancouver Airport Zoning for Future Runways

Summary#

The government is proposing new Vancouver International Airport Zoning Regulations to replace the current rules around Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The draft would add land near the airport to protected zones, limit building heights and some land uses, and ban things that attract birds or interfere with aircraft communications. This is a proposal from Transport Canada, not a final law.

What it does#

• Adds zoning protection for 2 potential future runways identified by the Vancouver Airport Authority (the “Foreshore Runway” and the “Close‑in South Parallel Runway”), so those approach and departure areas stay available for future airport expansion.
• Sets height limits above the airport:
  • a fixed outer ceiling of 45 m, and ratio‑based limits on approach/transitional areas (described in the draft as an incline of 1:50 (2%) for approach surfaces and 1:7 (14.3%) for transitional surfaces).
  • note: the source document contains inconsistent distance figures for the approach surface (1,500 m in one place and 15,000 m in another). The draft itself mixes technical descriptions.
• Updates the rules about “wildlife attractants” so they cover not only waste but also shelter and open water that draw birds. Open water storage reservoirs would be allowed only for 48 hours or less unless they are designed so birds aren’t attracted.
• Adds a new ban on land uses that would cause interference with radio or other communications to and from aircraft or aeronautical facilities (for example, certain transmitters or towers that could affect navigation or landing aids).
• Modernizes terminology to match current airport standards (TP 312 and ICAO language).
• Keeps a small number of site‑specific exceptions (“bump‑outs”) in the City of Richmond where slightly taller buildings would be allowed.
• Existing buildings and uses that already exceed the new limits would be legally “non‑conforming” and would not be forced down to new heights. New development after the rules come into force would need to follow the limits.

Who's affected#

• Municipalities that overlap the new zones: City of Richmond, City of Vancouver, City of Burnaby, and City of Delta. They will need to consider the rules in future planning.
• Property developers and landowners in the newly zoned areas. New high‑rise plans or certain utility/park designs could be limited.
• Local authorities managing stormwater and parks: the rules limit open water ponds in parts of the zoning area, so stormwater systems may need alternative designs (for example, underground storage or vegetated systems).
• Airport and aviation organisations involved in safety and navigation: Transport Canada, Vancouver Airport Authority, NAV CANADA and local airports operators.
• Indigenous group contacted in the process: the Musqueam Indian Band (the draft says they were notified and no comments were received).
• Most existing homes and built projects would be unaffected now because currently existing structures are grandfathered. The draft says small businesses are not expected to be materially affected.

Why it matters#

• Safety: limiting heights, reducing bird attractants, and blocking signal interference are aimed at lowering the risk of bird strikes and communication or navigation failures during take‑off and landing.
• Future airport capacity: the changes are meant to keep options open for adding a runway in roughly 30 years, which the airport argues is needed to handle growth. Without zoning protection now, nearby development could make a future runway impossible.
• Local development and planning: parts of the region could face tighter limits on building heights and on the types of stormwater or waste facilities they can place in certain areas. That may affect where and how new housing and towers are built in the long term.
• This is a proposal. The Canada Gazette notice was published on April 20, 2024, and the draft invites comments within 60 days of that publication.