The City of Vancouver Council has approved by-law amendments allowing mass timber construction up to 12 storeys for residential and commercial use as of July 1, 2020.
Vancouver now joins 13 other municipalities in allowing mass timber residential and commercial building projects to be built up to 12 storeys, an significant increase from the city’s current maximum of six storeys.
Building with sustainably harvested, renewable, low-carbon wood products is emerging as a safe go-to solution in jurisdictions around the world looking to reduce their GHG footprint. That is because carbon remains in the wood not only for the life of the tree, but for decades after – in products such as lumber, millwork or furniture.
The City of Vancouver joins municipalities across BC that are embracing green building as a climate change solution. This includes flagship projects such as the Brock Commons Tallwood House at the University of British Columbia – which, at the time of its construction, was the tallest mass timber building in the world at 18-storey tall.
The BC Government’s commitment to use BC wood in the construction of the new St. Paul’s Hospital and in more public infrastructure are other good examples of the leadership being shown, and all good steps in maximising the opportunity for Canada.
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