Following Central Saanich’s recent Official Community Plan (OCP) update, the municipality is now refreshing associated planning tools and inviting residents and businesses to learn more about the proposed updates.
It is standard practice to update zoning bylaws and Development Permit Area (DPA) guidelines after adopting a new OCP, and under the Local Government Act, any bylaws adopted after an OCP must be consistent with the plan.
The planning tools being updated include the Zoning Bylaw and DPA Guidelines. These revisions are necessary to reflect the community’s updated vision and to meet a new provincial requirement to update zoning bylaws by the end of 2025. This mandate ensures municipalities can accommodate their projected housing needs over the next 20 years.
The Zoning Bylaw is the primary regulatory tool for implementing the land use policies of the OCP. Proposed updates include aligning the zoning bylaw with the OCP to support growth in our village centres. It also proposes introducing new zones, such as reinstating smaller lots for single-family homes and adding a townhouse zone, as well as adjusting regulations for rural, shoreline and farm properties to balance growth and conservation.
The DPA Guidelines, which lay out design and environmental standards, will refresh design guidelines for building form, character, and environmental sustainability.
The updates build on extensive public engagement from previous initiatives, including the 2023 OCP Update, the 2024 Industrial and Commercial Zoning Reviews, and earlier design plans for infill and village development.
In addition to sessions for specific property owners, District staff will host two public information sessions:
- September 18, 2025, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Central Saanich Municipal Hall at 1903 Mt Newton Cross Road
- September 21, 2025, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Central Saanich Cultural Centre at 1209 Clarke Road
“These updates are about making sure our planning tools all align in support of the vision of the OCP,” said Mayor Ryan Windsor. “We invite residents to learn more and share their ideas.”
For a summary of the proposed changes, visit LetsTalkCentralSaanich.ca/CommunityPlanning.