Planning and Development

Current Planning is responsible for reviewing applications for proposed land development projects. This review typically involves a detailed analysis of how the proposal fits Official Community Plan policies, objectives of applicable plans, and technical requirements of the City's various bylaws. City planners communicate with a number of key stakeholders throughout the entire land development process, including the developer, their consultants, area residents and community associations. This section also implements Council-adopted land use and development bylaws and policies.

Long Range Planning is responsible for forming long-term planning policies and strategies to guide future growth in the City. Major programs include the City's Official Community Plan, Social Planning, Heritage Planning, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Policy, building inventory and statistics as well as demographic and employment forecasting.

Learn more about our ongoing planning initiatives:

• OurWK.ca

A Development Permit (DP) is required for:

• Most new developments including industrial, commercial, institutional, and multi-family (two or more dwelling units).
• Subdivision, construction, or alteration where a property contains a Development Permit Area (Hillside, Environmentally Sensitive (terrestrial), or Riparian (waterfront).

Development Permit Areas can be found on our WestMap viewer under the Planning tab of the Tax Parcel Information. To determine if an application is required, contact our Development Services Department.

Minor Development Permit

A Minor Development Permit is a permit approved by the Director of Development Services which conforms to the Development Permit Guidelines of the Official Community Plan and does not meet any exemption of the Official Community Plan. Minor Development Permits are established for the following instances:

1. For Hillside, Aquatic Ecosystem, and Sensitive Terrestrial Ecosystem Development Permit Areas - Fifty (50) square metres or less of the development and/or site disturbance is situated within the designated Development Permit Area;
2. For Commercial, Industrial and Multiple Family and Intensive Residential Development Permit Areas – An addition/alteration to an existing building, provided that the new floor space does not exceed two hundred (200) square metres or 20% of the existing gross floor, whichever is less;
3. Façade alterations on existing buildings; and
4.  Signage applications

A Development Variance Permit (DVP) is required to:

• Alter provisions of City bylaws including Zoning and Works and Services. 
• Some examples may include, but are not limited to, design, siting regulations, height restrictions, setbacks, and servicing.

A Temporary Use Permit (TUP) may be granted for a period of up to three years to allow for a use that is not currently permitted in a specific zone. The TUP may regulate the use, conditions, and construction of buildings or structures.  This allows the use to be permitted in a controlled manner and to mitigate any possible impacts before considering long-term solutions including Zoning Bylaw amendments.

Zoning Bylaw Amendment

A Zoning Bylaw Amendment, Rezoning, or Site-Specific Text Amendment, involve land-use amendments to the Zoning Bylaw. This process allows Council the opportunity to analyze any potential impacts that the land-use changes and/or development may have on the community now, or in the future as envisioned in the Official Community Plan (OCP).

If the rezoning application is consistent with the policies outlined in the OCP, it can proceed through the process without an OCP amendment. If the application is not consistent with the OCP, an OCP Amendment Application will need to be submitted concurrently. 

Official Community Plan Amendment

An amendment to the Official Community Plan (OCP) is required when a Zoning Bylaw Amendment Application is not consistent with the policies or land use designations as outlined in the OCP.