The District of Central Saanich is inviting residents and businesses to learn more and provide feedback on the draft Zoning Bylaw and Development Permit Area (DPA) Guidelines.
The drafts reflect feedback from the public gathered last year to help identify priorities, concerns, and opportunities for improvement on the District’s planning tools.
“These updates are about making sure our planning tools work together to reflect the community’s vision for the future,” said Mayor Ryan Windsor. “We encourage residents and businesses to review the proposed changes, ask questions, and share their perspectives.”
The Zoning Bylaw is the District’s primary regulatory tool for guiding land use and development.
Proposed updates focus on aligning zoning with the Official Community Plan, which was updated in 2023, such as re-introducing smaller single‑family lot options and adding a townhouse zone, as well as updating regulations for rural, shoreline, and farm properties to balance growth with environmental protection and conservation.
The Development Permit Area Guidelines set design and environmental standards for certain types of development. Proposed updates include refreshed guidelines for building form and character, as well as enhanced environmental sustainability expectations.
Residents and business owners are invited to review the draft materials and share feedback through several engagement opportunities. Public open houses on Thursday, May 28, 2026, 3:00–7:00 p.m., at Fire Station 1, 1512 Keating Cross Road and Saturday, May 30, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., at Municipal Hall, 1903 Mount Newton Cross Road. The public is also invited to listed to a staff presentation and have the opportunity to speak to Council Monday, June 15, 2026, 6:00 p.m., at Municipal Hall, 1903 Mount Newton Cross Road.
The public can submit written comments until May 31, 2026, at LetsTalkCentralSaanich.ca/CommunityPlanning, or contact staff by email planning@csaanich.ca.
A formal Public Hearing will be held later in the process, providing an additional opportunity for community members to present their views to Council.
Next steps
Following this phase of engagement, the District will prepare a What We Heard Report summarizing key themes and feedback from the community. The report will be presented to Council and used to refine the draft bylaws and guidelines before consideration for adoption.
For more information and a summary of the proposed changes, visit LetsTalkCentralSaanich.ca/CommunityPlanning.