Ken Sim and ABC Vancouver promised to

Implement the 3x3x3x1 permit system (3 days renos, 3 weeks

Promised by

Ken Sim

ABC Vancouver / A Better City

Status

Unknown

Policy areas

Jurisdiction

Vancouver

Dates

Published May 26, 2026 Updated May 26, 2026

Reader Interest

Status Guide

Made

These promises were clearly made on the record and are being tracked while evidence of progress or outcome is gathered.
In Progress

These promises show evidence of active work, implementation steps, or partial movement toward the stated commitment.
Kept

These promises were delivered substantially as made, based on reviewed evidence and editorial assessment.
Broken

These promises were not delivered as made, were abandoned, or were contradicted by the eventual outcome based on reviewed evidence.
Unknown

These promises do not yet have enough evidence for a confident assessment, or remain too unclear to classify as in progress, kept, or broken.

Statement

Implement the 3x3x3x1 permit system (3 days renos, 3 weeks single-family/townhomes, 3 months mid-rise, 1 year high-rise).

Overview

Implement the 3x3x3x1 permit system (3 days renos, 3 weeks single-family/townhomes, 3 months mid-rise, 1 year high-rise).

Timeline

Status update

Status changed to Broken

May 1, 2026

This promise is officially broken. While low-complexity renovations meet the 3-day turnaround, complex structural turnarounds (3 weeks for townhomes/single-family, 3 months for mid-rise, 1 year for high-rise) are mathematically impossible under current infrastructure, with real-world custom and multi-family permits still lagging and averaging over several months.
View evidence source
Evidence update

Evidence added

Apr 1, 2026

Added 1 evidence source. New multi-family and detached custom construction projects continue to experience timelines well beyond the 3-week and 3-month metrics.
View evidence source
Evidence update

Evidence added

Apr 1, 2025

Added 1 evidence source. Inter-departmental development metrics reviewed and approved simplified structural clearance tracks.
View evidence source
Evidence update

Evidence added

Dec 1, 2024

Added 1 evidence source. Turnaround time for low-complexity home renovations successfully cut to a 3-day window.
View evidence source
Evidence update

Evidence added

Nov 1, 2023

Added 1 evidence source. Passed initial streamlining bylaws reducing architectural and site-servicing pre-negotiation periods.
View evidence source

Evidence Sources

Promise Tracker loon illustration