PERMITSETS
VBBL PART 11 UPGRADE TRIGGER TOOL · EXISTING BUILDINGS · VANCOUVER, BC
PERMITSETS
VBBL Part 11 Upgrade Trigger Assessment (preliminary screen)
This tool is a preliminary screening aid based on Part 11 of the 2025 Vancouver Building By-law (By-law No. 14343, in force September 15, 2025) and the City's published unofficial wording. It is not legal or professional advice, and the final determination always rests with the City of Vancouver's Chief Building Official. Verify results with a registered professional before relying on them. Where a project scope includes multiple categories of work (renovation, change of major occupancy, addition), the highest upgrade level in each category applies and includes the requirements of all lower upgrade levels.

Step 1 · Building basics

How many storeys is the existing building?
Building area
The area of the largest storey (footprint), per the By-law definition of building area.

Step 2 · The change of major occupancy

Is the change confined to a single suite?
A suite is a single room or series of rooms operated by one tenant or owner. If the whole building is one tenancy, the suite can be 100% of the building.
Area changing major occupancy in this project (same units as above)
Area of any OTHER changes of major occupancy in this building in the past 5 years (0 if none)
The 5 year limit is cumulative and includes the current work (Note 2 to Flow Chart No. 2).
Approximate area of construction work for this project
Used only for the 100 m² single-suite exception in Sentence 11.5.4.1.(1)(a), which also requires the work to not exceed 5% of the building area. If unsure, enter the change area.

Step 3 · Existing and proposed occupancies

Existing (last permitted) major occupancy and use
Proposed major occupancy and use
Hazard index values are transcribed from Tables A-11.2.1.2.-C and A-11.2.1.2.-D of the City's Notes to Part 11 (unofficial wording effective Jan 1, 2023). The value depends on whether the aggregate area is 200 m² or less, or more than 200 m²; the tool applies the band automatically from your change area. Confirm values for your project.
Hazard index handling

Step 4 · Occupant load and heritage

Current occupant load (entire building, persons)
Proposed occupant load (entire building, persons)
Occupant loads are determined under Subsection 3.1.17 of Division B. The change may be assessed comparatively considering only the areas changing occupancy (per the notes to Flow Chart No. 2).
Would the required upgrades conflict with an approved heritage retention plan?