Certificate of Compliance
Understand certificates of compliance in Canadian real estate — what they are, when they’re needed, and their role in transactions.
August 07, 2025
What is a Certificate of Compliance?
A certificate of compliance is an official document issued by a municipality confirming that a property complies with applicable zoning bylaws and building regulations.
Why Certificates of Compliance Matter in Real Estate
In Canadian real estate transactions, certificates of compliance provide assurance to buyers and lenders that no outstanding bylaw violations exist.
Key points:
- Typically requested during property sales
- May be required for financing or title insurance
- Helps avoid costly delays or legal issues
Understanding certificates of compliance reduces risk for all parties in a transaction.
Example of a Certificate of Compliance in Action
The buyer requested a certificate of compliance to confirm the property met all zoning regulations before closing.
Key Takeaways
- Confirms property meets zoning and building bylaws
- Often requested during real estate sales
- Provides confidence for buyers and lenders
- Helps prevent transaction delays
- Supports title insurance requirements
Related Terms
- Building Permit
- Zoning
- Official Plan
- Permit Compliance
- Title Insurance
Average and median describe different aspects of the same month’s transactions. Both are affected by the mix of homes sold.
Category averages compare different homes and locations; the gaps are not estimates of the cost to upgrade an otherwise identical property.
The five categories shown account for 5,000 of the board’s 5,057 sales. The remaining 57 transactions were in other housing categories.
Monthly observations are not seasonally adjusted. Active listings count properties available at month-end; they are not construction inventory.
Average and median prices share one dollar axis. These unadjusted transaction measures do not control for changes in the homes sold.
TRREB’s 416/905 categories compare the apartments sold in each area. The difference does not isolate a location premium for equivalent units.
5680 Oak Street in Vancouver and its surrounding context. (MCMP Architects)
Ground-level renderings of the tower proposed for 5680 Oak Street in Vancouver. (MCMP Architects)
