by VRBA | Apr 27, 2026 | Blog, Building Code, Housing data, news
On March 26, Ontario announced a partnership with Ottawa to fund tax relief on new housing and a reduction of municipal development charges. More than a month later, British Columbia homebuyers and builders are still waiting for similar tax relief. The Ontario... read more
by VRBA | Apr 22, 2026 | Blog, Building Code, news
Got a call from the City of Victoria building permit dept. Claimed the builder voluntarily opted for $2,500 engineering report for installing spray foam. Wrong. The builder was told by the permit dept that the engineering report is mandatory. We sent the permit dept... read more
by VRBA | Apr 21, 2026 | Blog, Building Code, news
The BC government allows municipalities to effectively ban carbon-neutral, renewable natural gas (RNG) in new homes, undermining housing affordability and energy security. Yet the province now admits BC has an electricity supply shortage. BC imports more electricity... read more
by VRBA | Mar 10, 2026 | Blog, Building Code, Housing data
With concerns about climate change and global sustainability, homebuyers will want to explore the benefits of a Built Green home. Built Green homes are energy efficient, healthier for your family and better for the planet. Built Green homes offer: Greater energy... read more
by VRBA | Jun 16, 2025 | Blog, Building Code, Housing data, news
Despite provincially-mandated housing targets and rezonings, CMHC reports Greater Victoria’s 1,379 housing starts from January to May 2025 are 12% lower than the 1,572 starts in 2024. The region’s 376 housing starts in May 2025 are 4% lower than the 391 starts in... read more
by VRBA | Feb 5, 2025 | Blog, Building Code, Housing data, news
There are hundreds of small earthquakes annually in our region that usually go unnoticed. They are constant reminders we live in a subduction zone where large earthquakes can happen any time. Scientists discovered an active earthquake fault running under Elk Lake,... read more
