Cost-shared street and sidewalk improvements
The priority for street and sidewalk improvements in the City of Vancouver can be set through the local improvement process. This process gives property owners, both residents and businesses, the opportunity to enjoy the improvements more quickly.
Improvements can either be initiated by the City, or by property owners. In both cases, affected property owners are consulted and the majority of owners would determine whether the improvement project proceeds or not.
However, under the new 2012 to 2014 Capital plan, funding for the City's contribution is not available for street, lane or sidewalk improvements.
Cost-shared local improvement charges are paid through property taxes, either in a single payment or as annual installments.
How cost-sharing works
Whether a project is initiated by the City or petitioned by owners, the project will proceed only with the support of the majority of property owners adjacent to the proposed improvement.
Owners who would be affected by the proposed improvements will be notified and given an opportunity to support or defeat the project. The City will send owners a notice of assessment with details of the costs, and invite the owners to a Court of Revision.
At a Court of Revision, City Council will hear the concerns of affected owners.
How improvements are defined
The Vancouver Charter and the Local Improvement Procedures Bylaw outline the requirements that must be met in order for various local improvement projects to be constructed.
