Development is mostly arithmetic and process, and both are poorly documented at the small scale. We publish what we work out — permit throughput, cost structures, the mechanics of provincial policy as it actually lands in a municipal bylaw — because we would have liked to read it before we started.
Original Research
- Submission to Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Canada, September 2026
- The financial incentives offered to rental tenure development and those larger than five units needs to be available to owner-occupied developments containing four or fewer units, especially the affordable owner-occupied homes we propose to build.
- How Long Does a Saanich Residential Permit Actually Take – 340 applications, July 2025
- During this 5 1/2 month period, the average homeowner application took 52 days, and the average building permit application by a professional required 73 days. Why does a building permit application by an experienced professional take longer than one by the homeowner.
- A New Model of Apportioning Development Fees – May 2025
- We need to charge Development Fees on existing homes according to the age of the home. A 10-year old home paid for infrastructure 10 years ago. A 50-year old home paid for infrastructure 50 years ago, and has much less residual life expectancy. With this new method an aging structure pays more Development Fees than a new structure, which has just paid Development Fees at construction.
Commentary and Briefings
- Trade Wars – July 2025
- Air Tightness – May 2025
- Build Canada Homes: a Housing Plan – May 2025
- Gentle Density Summit – March 2025
- BC ends Single Family Zoning – February 2025