Subdivision is the process to create new, titled parcels of land. A rezoning or development variance permit may be required prior to a subdivision application, if the current zone does not have enough lot area or frontage to allow for additional lot(s). This can be confirmed with a review of the current zoning regulations in the Land Use Bylaw.
The following are types of subdivisions where approval of the Approving Officer is required:
- Adjusting lot boundaries between two or more parcels;
- Creating several new lots from one or more parcels;
- Creating lots in a bare land strata development;
- Creating a phased strata plan development;
- Strata conversion
To find out about the fees, application requirements and process, check out the Guide to Subdivision.
To learn about Development Cost Charges, relating to subdivision, check out this DCC's page.
To review the Engineer Standard Drawings, for details on service connections, see the Development Servicing page.
The subdivision application itself is reviewed by the planning, engineering and building departments for comments to the Approving Officer. The Approving Officer, independent of Council, makes a decision with respect to approval or rejection of the proposed subdivision.
If a property is rezoned, or requires variances, before it can be subdivided, planning staff will review the application concurrently with the subdivision submission. In these cases, any rezoning, ocp amendment or development variance application will require Council's consideration. In all cases, a sign will be posted on the applicable property to advise the community of the submitted proposal.
The Approving Officer may decide to refuse to approve a subdivision plan under the relevant provisions of the Land Use Bylaw, Provincial Statutes and Regulations. If a subdivision plan is rejected, there is no appeal to Mayor and Council. The applicant may only appeal an Approving Officer’s decision to the B.C. Supreme Court under section 89 of the Land Title Act. It is important to note that only the applicant may initiate an appeal under this legislation. There is no appeal procedure set out in the Bare Land Strata Regulations.
You will likely need to hire professionals to assist with aspects of your development. Depending on the complexity of your project, professional surveyors, planners, engineers and/or biologists may be required to satisfy application requirements. It is strongly recommended that coordination of the various activities is specifically assigned to one person who can communicate progress, respond to requests for information and ensure all necessary steps are followed in the correct sequence. It is important that the coordinator has a general understanding of the regulatory process and procedures and can effectively communicate between the various professionals, property owners and city staff to ensure the efficiency of the approval process.