Zoning

A completed application form, with Contaminated Sites waiver form, signed by all owners of the property. If the application is not signed by the owner, a completed Agent Authorization form or a letter from the owner authorizing someone to act on their behalf is required, or if owned by a registered company, by all listed signing directors.

You will need to a proof of ownership document like a Tax Notice or a Certificate of Title.

If the owner is registered as a corporation, a copy of corporate registry search or certificate of incorporation, including a list of current directors, dated no more than seven days before the application date, and the application form must be signed by the authorized representative(s) of the corporation.

For changes to the permitted land uses, include a a site plan or diagram which shows: 

• location of proposed development with building dimensions and setbacks, including roads
• siting of existing dwelling, sheds, garages, other outbuildings and physical features of the property

To amend a designation to allow subdivision, include the proposed subdivision layout including approximate dimensions of proposed lots, and locations of roads, utilities, and physical features of the property.

The Zoning Amendment Application Fee must be paid.

For information about fees, visit the Land Use Permit Fees, Forms and Timelines page.  

Development Services prepares a draft report based on applicant’s information. The report and a draft permit are then forwarded to various government and technical agencies like the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure or the Ministry of Agriculture for comment.

An updated report is taken to the Regional District Board with the comments received from all agencies. Applicants receive a copy of the staff report for their information. If the proposal is complex, it may go before the Board once or twice before a draft bylaw is authorized and it receives first reading with authorization to hold a public hearing.

A Notification of Application sign may be erected on the parcel a minimum of 14 days before the start of the public hearing. Please see Notification Signs Pamphlet for further information on the sign requirements. A notice stating the intent of the bylaw and the time and place of the hearing is delivered to landowners within a minimum of 200 m (600 ft) of the subject parcel. A similar notice is also published on the Regional District's website and Facebook account, and it may also be published in a local newspaper. Anyone who believes they have an interest in the application can express their comments by either submitting a letter or addressing the hearing in person.

If the public hearing is not held at a Regional District Board Meeting, a report is written with the meeting minutes. The Regional District Board considers this information and the details of the application and makes a decision on the application.

Any substantial changes made to the bylaw require an amended second reading and an additional public hearing, before being considered at the Regional District Board meeting for a third reading and possible adoption.

If the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure approval is received, the Regional District Board may consider adoption of the bylaw. An adopted bylaw is then signed and dated and the amended zone goes into effect immediately.

If a zoning bylaw amendment application is approved to allow subdivision, an additional application to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is required for their approval. This is the technical side of the subdivision project, where access, roads, water supply, sewage disposal and other development requirements are considered.