ClosePlanning Applications
This page contains forms, guides, and resources required to submit development applications to the Planning and Development Department. All planning and development applications can be submitted to planning@scrd.ca.
If you have attachments over 14 Mb, please request an upload link and staff will reply with further instructions.
If the application is complete staff will respond with instructions to pay the appropriate application fees.
Do you have questions? Email planning@scrd.ca.
Remediation Pre-Application (REM) for Unauthorized Work
If you have been instructed to complete a Remediation (REM) Pre-Application due to unauthorized work, please complete the Pre-Application Review Request Form below and include your Bylaw Enforcement File Number.
1. Request a Pre-Application Review
A Pre-Application Review (PAR) is required prior to submission of most planning applications, including Development Permits (DP), Development Variance Permits (DVP), Board of Variance, Subdivision, Strata Conversion, Temporary Use Permit, and OCP/Zoning Amendments.
During a Pre-Application Review a Planner will complete a preliminary review of your development proposal to provide guidance, highlight key issues, deficiencies, relevant regulations, and a checklist for submission requirements. An Outcome Letter will be provided with instructions on how to make a formal application. This shared preparation significantly reduces the time it takes to process your formal development application.
Depending on the complexity or nature of the development, a meeting may be required to discuss your proposal and/or the outcome of the Pre-Application Review. Staff will contact you to schedule a meeting, if necessary.
2. Submit a Development Application
To submit an application please complete the Development Application Submission Checklist and the Development Application Form and submit both to planning@scrd.ca. If you have not completed a Pre-Application Review, please submit a Pre-Application Review Request if your application type requires one.
Development Application Types
Some application types have specific forms or unique procedural requirements you should be familiar with before submitting an application. Further information is provided below:
A Development Permit (DP) is a permit required when you are planning to alter land, subdivide land, or construct buildings and structures in a Development Permit Area (DPA) or within 30 metres of any wetland, stream, or ditch.
You can check the SCRD Property Viewer to determine if your property is affected by a DPA. Keep in mind that DPAs affect mapped and unmapped riparian areas.
SCRD Statements of Conformance (SOC)
All development permit application submissions require a completed SCRD Statement of Conformance Form (SOC) for each DPA. The SOC must be completed by a qualified professional.
1A Coastal Flooding SOC Checklist
1B and 3 Slopes Hazards SOC Checklist
2A Creek Corridor SOC Checklist
2C, 2D Flood Plains and Low Channel Confinement SOC Checklist
4 Riparian Area Protection Regulation SOC Checklist
5 Roberts Creek Shoreline SOC Checklist
5 West Howe Sound Aquifer Protection and Stormwater Management SOC Checklist
6 West Howe Sound Shoreline Protection and Management SOC Checklist
Tree cutting permits are required prior to the removal of trees in areas designated in Tree Cutting Permit Bylaw No. 350.
The permit will be based on the recommendation in reports from a certified Arborist and a Geotechnical Engineer and if near a creek may also require Riparian Assessment. These reports include an assessment of the health of the trees and the potential for erosion on the property, and certifies that cutting will not cause erosion, landslide or other hazard.
A Development Variance Permit (DVP) is a permit required to vary regulations in a development bylaw (Zoning Bylaw, Subdivision Bylaw, Parking Bylaw, and Sign Bylaw) such as building setbacks, height, or parking requirements. A DVP cannot be used to change the permitted uses or density of a property.
If your application includes a structure within 4.5 m of a road right-of-way you will also require a setback permit from the Ministry of Transportation and Transit. See the Road Setback section under General Forms and Resources the bottom of this page for more information.
A Board of Variance application may be used when you wish to vary regulations in a development bylaw (Zoning Bylaw, Subdivision Bylaw, Parking Bylaw, and Sign Bylaw), such as building setbacks, height, or parking requirements, due to land constraints or previous development patterns that result in hardship.
If your application includes a structure within 4.5 m of a road right-of-way you will also require a setback permit from the Ministry of Transportation and Transit. See the Road Setback section under General Forms and Resources the bottom of this page for more information.
Subdivisions in SCRD Electoral Areas are approved by a Provincial Approving Officer (PAO) through the Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTT). The PAO is an independent statutory decision-maker appointed by the provincial government. It is the responsibility of the PAO to ensure that subdivisions are in accordance with provincial statutes, regulations and local government bylaws regulating subdivision and zoning.
Please read the Guide to Subdivision in the SCRD before making an application.
To apply, you must submit applications to both:
- MOTT, which acts as the approving authority; and
- SCRD, which reviews the proposal and sets local requirements.
SCRD will begin its formal review only after it receives a referral from MOTT.
Please see the MOTT website for more information:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/local-governments/planning-land-use/land-use-regulation/subdividing-land/subdividing
SCRD Conditions of Subdivision
In response to the MOTT referral the SCRD will issue Conditions of Subdivision (COS) that must be met prior to final subdivision approval. The COS are valid for one-year and may be extended/amended for an additional year for a fee. Please contact the planning department prior to the expiration of the COS to initiate a renewal or amendment.
A strata conversion allows for the conversion of two or more dwelling units into strata lots. Section 242 of the Strata Property Act requires that stratification of previously occupied dwellings be approved by a local government.
All strata conversion applications must meet the requirements of the Strata Conversion of Previously Occupied Lawful Dwelling Units Policy.
Applications for a Strata Conversion require the submission of an application fee, completed application form and supporting documentation including a “Building Code Compliance” report prepared by a suitable qualified individual (i.e. professional engineer or architect) that provides a review of the building to be converted against the applicable requirements of the BC Building Code.
A Zoning Bylaw Amendment application can be applied for to amend aspects of the Zoning Bylaw as they relate to a parcel’s permitted use and density.
An Official Community Plan (OCP) Amendment application can be applied for to amend aspects of the Official Community Plan as they relate to a parcel’s permitted use and density. All OCP Amendment applications will be reviewed for alignment with the SCRD OCP Amendment Policy. Only applications that substantially conform to this policy will be supported.
An Agricultural Land Commission application is for those who own a parcel within the Agricultural Land Reserve, and who wish to engage in an activity beyond the permitted activities in the Agricultural Land Commission regulations.
Examples could be adding more fill than permitted, subdividing a parcel into parcel’s smaller than permitted, modifying a farm home plate, or creating residential density beyond that permitted.
How to Apply:
Applications are each is handled differently depending on the situation. Please contact Planning Services staff for more information at planning@scrd.ca. Provide your property address and PID, along with details of your proposal.
Other resources/supporting documents:
It is important to keep in mind that uses and activities in the ALR must conform to the ALC regulations and the zoning bylaw!
3. Pay Development Application Fees
Fees can be paid online at MySCRD once you have submitted a planning and development application and received a Folder Number and Access Code.
| Description | Pre-Application Fee | Base Fee | Additional Fee* |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEVELOPMENT PERMITS | |||
| Staff Issued DP (Hazard and Environment) | $500 | $1,500 | $400 per additional DPA |
| Board Issued DP (Form and Character, Ag Buffer) | $500 | $2,000 | $400 per additional DPA |
| Remedial DP Pre-Application (Work without Permit) | $2,500 | - | - |
| DEVELOPMENT VARIANCE PERMITS | |||
| Development Variance Permit | $600 | $3,250 | $300 per additional variance |
| BOARD OF VARIANCE | |||
| Board of Variance | $600 | $3,000 | $300 per additional variance |
| TREE CUTTING PERMITS | |||
| Tree Cutting Permits | - | $200 | $25 per additional tree after 10 |
| SUBDIVISION | |||
| Subdivision creating up to two additional lots | $500 | $5,000 | - |
| Subdivision creating more than two additional lots | $1,000 | $5,000 | $1,000 per additional lot after two |
| Frontage Waiver | - | $2,000 | $250 per additional lot |
| Strata Conversion | $500 | $3,000 | $1,000 per additional lot/unit |
| Lot Line Adjustment or Consolidation | $500 | $2,000 | - |
| Subdivision Conditions Amendment or Extension | - | $500 | - |
| BYLAW AMENDMENTS AND TEMPORARY USE PERMITS | |||
| OCP or Zoning Bylaw Amendment | $2,000 | $10,000 | $1,500 per public hearing |
| Joint OCP and Zoning Bylaw Amendment | $2,500 | $15,000 | $1,500 per public hearing |
| Temporary Use Permit | $1,000 | $4,000 | - |
| LIQUOR AND CANNABIS LICENCES | |||
| Liquor Licence | - | $3,500 | - |
| Cannabis Licence | - | $4,500 | - |
| OTHER FEES AND CHARGES | |||
| Change of Applicant | - | $200 | - |
| Covenant Discharge or Amendment | - | $1,000 | - |
| Site Inspection | - | - | $300 per site inspection** |
| Property Information Request (Comfort Letter) | - | $500 | - |
| Title Document | - | - | $50 per document |
PERMIT AMENDMENTS AND WORK WITHOUT PERMITS
- All amendments or extensions to liquor and cannabis licenses, temporary use permits, development permits, tree cutting permits, and development variance permits shall be subject to 50% of the original Base Fee and Additional Fee.
- The application fee shall be 200% of the original Fee where work has started without the required development permit, tree cutting permit, development variance permit, or board of variance approval.
REFUNDS
- 50% of the Base Fee and Additional Fee will be refunded when an application is withdrawn within 21 days of submission.
- If a bylaw amendment does not proceed to a public hearing, or third reading if a public hearing is not required, a refund of 25% of the original application fee will be provided.
- A non-profit organization or public utility operated by a local government may apply to the SCRD Board to reduce fees up to 50% for a bylaw amendment, development permit, or development variance permit.
* Additional Fees are added to Base Fees and apply to each unit/DPA/variance/lot/title/hearing after the first. For clarity, additional lot for subdivision refers to the new lots being created and does not include the existing or remainder lot.
** One site inspection shall be included as part of the Base Fee of the application.
General Forms and Resources
Below you will find various forms and resources that are not specific to any one application type. If you have questions, please contact the planning department.
SCRD Statements of Conformance (SOC)
All development permit application submissions require a completed SCRD Statement of Conformance Form (SOC) for each DPA. The SOC must be completed by a qualified professional.
1A Coastal Flooding SOC Checklist
1B and 3 Slopes Hazards SOC Checklist
2A Creek Corridor SOC Checklist
2C, 2D Flood Plains and Low Channel Confinement SOC Checklist
4 Riparian Area Protection Regulation SOC Checklist
5 Roberts Creek Shoreline SOC Checklist
5 West Howe Sound Aquifer Protection and Stormwater Management SOC Checklist
6 West Howe Sound Shoreline Protection and Management SOC Checklist
If a change in authorized applicant (agent) has occurred, please submit the Change of Applicant (Agent) Form to update the authorized person acting on your behalf in matters related to development applications.
Some development application types require that the applicant hosts a Public Information Meeting (PIM). A PIM is a non-statutory public meeting hosted by the applicant and intended to provide information on the proposed development to the general public.
The guide below provides directions and steps to follow when hosting a PIM.
The Ministry of Transportation and Transit has specified a minimum setback of 4.5 metres, for any building, mobile home, retaining wall or other structure, from all road rights-of-way, unless you have access from another street, in which case the allowed setback is 3 metres.
This setback requirement is separate from any SCRD setback regulation. If your project includes structures within 4.5 m of a road right-of-way, please ensure you obtain the necessary setback permit prior to construction.