Winnipeg, MB – The City of Winnipeg is introducing new tools and pilot programs to help make it easier to build housing, invest in Winnipeg, and develop new communities.
Experienced property developers may apply to the Qualified Greenfield and Qualified Infill Pilot Programs, both of which are designed to make development processes more efficient, predictable and easier to navigate.
- The Qualified Greenfield Pilot Program will support the timely development of new communities, including housing, parks, commercial services and the infrastructure needed to support communities.
- The Qualified Infill Pilot Program will support eligible residential and mixed-use proposals within areas identified in the City’s Complete Communities Direction Strategy 2.0.
The pilots build on ongoing improvements to the City’s development and permitting services, including work informed by KPMG’s end-to-end review of Winnipeg’s development process.
“Winnipeg is growing, and we need to make it faster and easier to build the homes and communities people need,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “These changes will give experienced developers a faster, more predictable path through the City’s development process — potentially saving weeks — while maintaining the planning, safety and public-engagement standards Winnipeg residents expect.”
“Building a growing city takes partnership,” said Councillor Evan Duncan, Chair of Property Development. “By working together with builders, industry and communities, we can find efficiencies, modernize our development processes and create greater certainty. These improvements will help us build stronger communities while making Winnipeg a more competitive and attractive place to invest.”
Depending on the project’s size, complexity and eligibility, applicants may see processing-time savings of several weeks.
The pilots will operate within existing administrative authorities with no change to the approval role of Council.
The changes follow discussions with industry that identified opportunities to improve coordination and reduce avoidable delays in development processes following project approval.
Permits Online improvements
The City has also made several improvements to Permits Online to provide applicants with a more efficient digital experience, including:
- A property mapping tool for applicants submitting a development application, variance, conditional use or development permit for a property that does not yet have a street address.
- Expanded contractor licensing services, allowing all contractor types to schedule examinations, apply for new licences and update business information online.
- A streamlined electrical-permit process for eligible low-risk voice, data, video and security-system installations, helping businesses obtain required permits more efficiently while continuing to meet electrical-safety requirements.
These improvements respond to feedback from industry and will help make City development and permit services clear, easier to use, and quicker for those who meet eligibility requirements.
The property mapping tool and expanded contractor licensing services launched August 31, while the streamlined electrical-permit process will begin on September 15.