Whereas approximately 3,200 single-family homes are demolished each year across British Columbia to make way for higher-density development, according to the Building Relocation and Deconstruction Association of British Columbia; And whereas the average 1,500 square foot wood-framed home is constructed from 40 to 60 mature trees, contains approximately 100 tons of material, and represents an estimated 23 tons of embodied carbon; And whereas the rate of residential demolitions is projected to increase by 35 over the next decade as local governments implement policies that encourage urban densification; And whereas local governments across British Columbia and jurisdictions worldwide are demonstrating policy leadership by promoting home relocation and deconstruction as environmentally responsible and economically beneficial alternatives to conventional demolition: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the provincial government to develop and commit to a plan to see more single-family homes that are slated for demolition, instead be relocated or deconstructed.
Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs The Ministry is currently evaluating options for the regulation of alterations to existing buildings in the BC Building Code, as well as updates to CleanBC. This ongoing work should provide improved clarity regarding the building requirements that apply when relocating or deconstructing homes, particularly where the intent is to maximize the reuse of building materials. The Ministry remains committed to supporting environmentally responsible practices and will continue to engage with local government partners as this work progresses. In 2024, the Ministry issued a bulletin to provide information and direction on application of the BC Building Code code to relocated buildings to local governments and industry professionals so that the code is applied in a manner that does not discourage the relocation of existing buildings in favour of demolition.