Development

Determine your property’s subdivision potential by following these steps:

1. Review your property information

Use the GeoSource Mapping Tool to view:

Zoning

• Approximate lot dimensions
• Site features like watercourses, trees, and road access

Activate the Environment layer to view watercourses and classifications.

Property details in GeoSource are for reference only. Confirm accuracy with a BC land surveyor (BCLS).

2. Confirm subdivision eligibility

Your lot must meet the requirements outlined in:

Zoning Bylaw

See Section 110 for minimum lot area, frontage, and depth by zone.

Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw

Outlines all servicing requirements (roads, sanitary sewer, water, drainage, landscaping, tree protection, etc.)

Minimum required service levels are identified in Schedule A

Subdivision Policy

Identifies additional considerations used by the Approving Officer when reviewing applications.

3. Understand the costs

Residential subdivision applications are subject to payment of:

• Development cost charges
• 5% neighbourhood park land fees

Other charges where applicable

• Learn more about development fees.

Interested in developing your property? Follow these steps to determine your property’s development potential:

1. Review your property information

Use the GeoSource Mapping Tool to view:

• Zoning
• Approximate lot dimensions
• Community and neighbourhood plan area
• Development permit areas
• Site features like watercourses, trees, and road access

Property details in GeoSource are for reference only. Confirm accuracy with a BC land surveyor (BCLS).

2. Explore the Layer List in GeoSource

• Activate the Environment layer to view watercourses and classifications.
• Activate the Planning layer and select the following overlays for full context:

The Township assumes no responsibility for accuracy of GeoSource data. Use for reference only.

3. Read the plan

Familiarity with area plans will strengthen your application and support productive discussions with Development Planning staff.

Review relevant Community and Neighbourhood Plans

Understand key policies on:

• Maximum permitted density
• Servicing and infrastructure requirements
• Prerequisites for development

4. Review requirements:

Township requirements:

The Zoning Bylaw provides information such as:

• minimum lot size requirements
• permitted uses
• lot coverage
• building restrictions

The Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw provides information such as:

• Servicing requirements
• Tree Protection requirements

To streamline your application process, make sure your proposal:

• Aligns with all applicable land use plans
• Complies with development bylaws and policies
• Addresses any development permit requirements.  

Regional and Provincial requirements:

Your proposal will be evaluated against existing plans and regulations at every level. Be sure to:

• Check your property’s designation in Metro Vancouver's Regional Growth Strategy (RGS)
• Determine if your property is within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR)

5. Hire qualified professionals

A well-supported team increases your chance of success. Engage planning and development experts who understand local bylaws and processes and can help:

• Interpret complex regulations
• Design proposals that meet Township standards
• Assess servicing requirements with a civil engineer

6. Talk to us early

• Request a pre-application discussion with Development Services staff. This helps clarify requirements and identify potential challenges up front.
• Fill-in the Pre-Application Request Form
• What happens next?
  • If your question is answered in the information available online, staff will refer you to the webpage. Otherwise, a Development Planner will provide initial feedback within 30 days.
  • If a meeting is needed, the Development Planner will schedule it directly.

For properties within the ALR

For lands within the ALR, streamside areas are regulated under the provincial Riparian Areas Protection Regulation (RAPR) and Water Sustainability Act (WSA).

Property owners need to hire a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) to submit a RAPR assessment to the provincial government. If the site plan shows the proposed structure and related works located outside of the "Riparian Assessment Area" (greater than 30 metres from high water mark) then a RAPR assessment is not required.

For more information see Riparian Areas Protection Regulation (RAPR) - Province of British Columbia.

For properties not in the ALR

For lands not in the ALR, streamside areas are regulated by Schedule 3 of the Township’s Official Community Plan. 

1. Determine the watercourse classification
   • Classifications based on fist habitat values have been applied to watercourses throughout the Township.
   • Watercourse classifications can be viewed either:
     • on GeoSource, by choosing the Environment layer 
     • by using the Watercourse Classification Map. 
   • Watercourse classifications and locations are subject to confirmation by Qualified Environmental Professionals (QEPs) and BC Land Surveyors. It is the property owner's responsibility to identify all watercourses within 30m of any proposed activity, including on adjacent lands and roads.
2. Determine the setback requirement
   • Each watercourse classification has a required setback.

*Measured from top of bank or edge of floodplain

**Subject to Section 4.15 of Schedule 3

For more information, please see our Streamside Protection and Enhancement webpage.

As per Section 102 of the Zoning Bylaw, assembly use means a use providing for the assembly of persons for religious, cultural, or educational purposes.

An assembly use may be considered on a site (subject to rezoning to P-1 Civic Institutional Zone) where all the following locational criteria have been satisfied:

• in a designated urban area in the Official Community Plan;
• not in the Agricultural Land Reserve;
• in a Community Plan area (where one exists) deemed suitable for assembly use;
• not in a single-family area, although may be located on the perimeter of one;
• in an area where an adequate traffic circulation system exists;
• on a collector or arterial street as opposed to a local residential street;
• in an area where full municipal services are provided, or such other level of service deemed acceptable to the Manager of Development Engineering;
• be provided with adequate off-street parking; and
• have sufficient water supply and pressure available to satisfy fire department requirements including the need for the building to be sprinklered to bylaw requirements.