Municipal Goverment

Land development is defined as the alteration of the landscape.

Local governments play a vital function in managing private land use and development in British Columbia. Local government land use regulations, including zoning and other bylaws (e.g. sub-division, parking and loading, signs, screening and landscaping) enable local governments to implement the long-term vision described in their official community plans or other planning tools.

Zoning bylaws define how specific areas of land can be used. For example, land can be zoned for residential, commercial, industrial, marine, public use etc. Zoning bylaws can also specify the nature of these uses in more detail (e.g. small-scale multi-unit homes) and regulate characteristics such as height and size of structures.

Local governments are required to align zoning bylaws with their official community plans and housing needs reports.

Subdivision is a process of altering legal property boundaries. Subdivision of land includes, but not limited to:

• Creation of several lots from one or more parcels
• Creation of strata lots
• Readjustment of an existing property line
• Consolidation of properties

Municipalities may establish a subdivision servicing bylaw that regulates and sets out the requirements for the provision of works and services that are needed as part of the subdivision of land. Subdividing land can be a complex process and may include several steps before an application is approved. Working with a qualified professional is recommended. Landowners and developers must make an application to the municipality to subdivide their land.

• Subdivision Servicing Agreement
• Irrevocable Letter of Credit
• Permission to Construct
• Certificate of Inspection
• Certificate of Substantial Completion
• Certificate of Acceptance
• Latecomers Agreement
• Right-of-Way Agreement
• Right-of-Way Consent
• Contaminated Site Disclosure Statement