A GUIDE TO DEVELOPMENT PERMITS

When Do I Need a Development

What is a Development Permit?
Permit ?

A Development Permit is a permit approved by A Development Permit is not a building permit.

the SLRD Board (or delegated authority) that A building permit must be obtained prior to any
specifies how development is to occur on a given construction.
parcel of land. Once approved, the Development A Development Permit is required when the
Permit is registered against the title of the land property to be developed is situated within a
and becomes binding on future land owners. Development Permit Area designated in an
Within designated Development Permit Areas Official Community Plan.
land must not be subdivided or altered and When such a designation exists, a
buildings or structures cannot be constructed or Development Permit must be obtained before
altered, unless the owner has first obtained a a building permit or subdivision approval.
Development Permit.
Please note that a development permit can
A Development Permit may specify requirements only be issued after rezoning approval is in
respecting the character of development, place.
including landscaping, and the siting, form,
exterior design and finish of buildings and What is a Development Permit Area?
structures; environmental protection; protection
Certain lands are designated as Development
from hazardous conditions and protection of
Permit Areas within an Official Community Plan
farming.
require special regulation of development to
Development Permits may also impose respond to any one or a combination of SLRD
conditions respecting the sequencing and timing objectives:
of construction.
 Control of the form and character of
development

 Protection from hazardous conditions (eg.

Wildfires)

 Protection of the natural environment (eg.

Riparian areas, energy, water conservation,
greenhouse gases)

 Protection of farming
Official Community Plans define and map
each development permit area. They
describe the SLRD’s objectives and specify
development guidelines for each area.
Procedure for Obtaining
For Form and Character Development
Development Permit Permits:

Pre-Application Stage In addition to these requirements, the

following items are required:
Applicants should be well informed about SLRD
policies and procedures before preparing a Boundaries and dimensions of the parcel(s)
development permit application for submission. involved;
SLRD staff should be consulted regarding SLRD  Size and location of all existing and
objectives and development permit area proposed buildings, structures, and uses
guidelines, the application review process, and on the site including measurements from
the time frame involved. all proposed and existing structures to the
nearest parcel line;
Before an application is made, the following
should be reviewed:  Location and name of roads(s) adjacent
to the parcel;

contained in the Official Community Plan  Existing and proposed parking and
driveways;
 Zoning regulations pertaining to the subject
property  Topographic features, water bodies and
waterways including measurements from
 Subdivision guidelines and bylaw regulations
all proposed and existing structures to the
 Access and engineering servicing standards natural boundary, stream centre line or top
 Environmental requirements of bank, whichever is applicable;

 Design guidelines respecting the subject  Location and identification of any

property easements, rights of way, or covenants
registered against title to the parcel;
 Development covenants registered on title in
favour of the SLRD or others  Proposed subdivision layout, showing the
number and approximate location of lots
 Applicable building code requirements
and/ or consolidation of the parcel(s);
 Any other applicable SLRD policies
 North arrow and scale;
Application Requirements  Site plan;
 Floor plans;
An application is made by submitting all required
and documentation, as described in detail on the  Gross floor area;
“Development Permit Application Requirements”  Site survey;
form, to the SLRD. These requirements may vary
 Development program;
based on the development permit area
guidelines, but generally include:  Elevations and sections;
 Roof plan;
 Completed development permit application
form signed by all owners of the property  Signage scheme;
 Application processing fee  Landscape, parking and grading
plans;
 Parking provisions and details; Submission of complete and accurate information will
accelerate the development permit process. Please note,
 Details of bicycle parking provisions;
these application submission requirements are for
 Colour and materials package; development permit applications only. Separate applica-
 Preliminary building code analysis; tions must be made for other permits and licenses. For
example, development permits for riparian areas will
 On-site and off-site servicing plans;
require a report from a Qualified Environmental
 Snow management plan (as requested); Professional (QEP).
 Site Profile under Waste Management Act
 (as requested)

Building appearance and landscape treatment

are important elements of a form and character
development permit, therefore, the applicant is
encouraged to hire the services of a land use
planner, an architect, a landscape architect, an
engineer, or other professional consultants to
prepare the development plans. One individual of
this team (or the applicant) should be responsible for
coordinating the application process. The com-
plexity and scale of the proposed development
will affect the level of detail required.

For Wildfire Development Permits:

 Site plan
 Floor plans
 Type of roofing material Review of the Application
 Plan indicating the location of trees
SLRD planning staff coordinates the review of the
 Landscape materials and types of vegetation
development permit application, involving other
 Proposed landscaping locations SLRD departments and in some cases, provincial
agencies. The review may result in a request
for additional information or modification of
For Riparian Area and other Environmen- the proposal. Staff workshops and meetings
tal Development Permits: with the applicant may be held throughout
the process
 Site plan
Approval Stage
 Building footprints
 Setbacks from riparian areas Some Form and Character Development Permits
and all Riparian and Wildfire Permits have dele-
 Location of riparian areas
gated authority for approval and issuance by the
Director of Planning and Development.
For Form and Character Development Permits
Cost
that require SLRD Board approval, the SLRD
Board may resolve to:
The cost of development permit is regulated by
 approve the application; Schedule B of Bylaw 1301, as amended.
 approve the application subject to the satisfac-
tion of specified conditions; Refund
 request further information and/or modification
of the application prior to further review; or
Where an application does not proceed or has
 reject the proposal outright. been withdrawn, a refund may be provided to the
If Development Permit approval has been delegated to applicant as per the regulations of s.6.4 of Bylaw
the Director of Planning and Development for approval, 1301.
the permit is presented to the Director of Planning and
Re-application
Development upon resolution of all staff concerns.
Where an application has been denied, no reapplication
for a substantially similar amendment shall be considered
Issuance of Development Permit
within 6 months of the date of rejection of the previous
application. Relevant fees are applicable to any new
Prior to the issuance of the permit, all conditions
application.
set out by the SLRD Board resolution or request-
ed by the Director of Planning and Development
must be resolved and all required letters of credit
Information, Application Forms and
(for landscape and paving works, etc) must be
Questions
secured. In addition, all outstanding development
permit processing fees must be paid in full. Development permit application forms and information
requirements are available at the SLRD office and on the
Once issued, the SLRD will file the development
SLRD website. SLRD planning staff are available to an-
permit with the Land Title Office. As a result, the
swer questions and to provide clarification of the develop-
development permit is binding upon the applicant
ment permit process as it applies to a specific prop-
and subsequent owners. The SLRD Board must
erty or application. Contact the Planning Depart-
authorize any amendments to a development
ment at: [email protected].
permit.

This information is intended to provide general guidance and should not be regarded as a right to
development approval if the steps indicated are followed.