Planning Bylaw 899

What’s Changing

• A Transition Period Before New Fees Take Effect

  Planning application fees at the CVRD have remained unchanged since 2014. Over the past decade, inflation and rising operating costs have significantly increased the cost of delivering planning and development services across the region.

  To support applicants, builders, and property owners during the transition, the CVRD is delaying implementation of updated application fees until September 7, 2026.

  Applications received on or before September 6, 2026 will continue to be processed at current rates.

  Updated fees will remain in effect through December 31, 2027, with annual fee adjustments of three per cent beginning January 1, 2028.

  The transition period is intended to support a smooth rollout while giving those with projects already underway additional time to move forward before the updated fees take effect.
   

• Updated Planning Application Fees

  Planning application fees are being updated for the first time since 2014.

  The updated fee structure reflects inflation and rising operating costs over the past decade while helping ensure fees remain aligned with the current cost of delivering service.

  Updated fees apply to applications including rezonings, Official Community Plan amendments, development permits, development variance permits, temporary use permits, subdivision referrals, and public hearing applications.
   

• Streamlined Approvals for Some Applications

  To help support more timely decision-making for some lower-risk and more straightforward applications, certain application types may now be reviewed and approved by an Executive Manager rather than requiring Board consideration.

  This includes select development permits, minor development variance permits, and certain site-specific floodplain exemptions.

  Applications involving broader policy considerations, significant impacts, or higher public interest will continue to be reviewed by the CVRD Board.

  Applicants also retain the ability to request Board reconsideration of delegated decisions.
   

• Updated Public Notification Requirements

  The updated bylaw also changes how public notice is provided for planning and development applications.

  In addition to newspaper notice and mailed notification requirements already in place, public notice may now also include information shared on the CVRD website and at CVRD-owned public facilities, depending on the application type.

  Notification distances have also been expanded in some areas following feedback from residents and to help improve public awareness and transparency around development applications in their area.

  In some cases, notification distances have increased from 500 metres to 750 metres or 1,000 metres depending on the location and application type.
   

• Updated Notification Distances

  Area Type	Previous Radius	Updated Radius
  Settlement Nodes	50 metres	100 metres
  Settlement Expansion Areas	100 metres	100 metres
  Rural Settlement Areas	100 metres	200 metres
  Agricultural Areas	500 metres	750 metres
  Resource Areas	500 metres	1,000 metres

• Important Dates

  Date	Update
  May 26, 2026	Updated procedures, notification requirements, and delegated approvals take effect
  September 6, 2026	Final day applications may be submitted under the current fee schedule
  September 7, 2026	Updated planning application fees take effect