Frequently Asked Questions

If you are required to apply for a subdivision or a Watercourse Protection Development Permit, these applications will be reviewed at the same time as your Development Permit.

Conditions of a subdivision approval may include: 

• Submission of legal documents that your legal advisor has drafted;
• Submission of legal plans that your BC Land Surveyor has drafted; and
• Submission of your Civil Engineer’s plans, if frontage works and utilities are required to be constructed.

All submitted documents and plans will require weeks of review and may require revisions if the submission does not address the City’s requirements.

If you are required to apply for a Watercourse Protection Development Permit or just have a QEP submit a Riparian Areas Regulation detailed assessment report if developing within 30m of a watercourse, the detailed assessment report must be approved by the Province of BC before any other City permits can be issued (including Watercourse Protection Development Permit).

Also see our Applicable Fees and Charges page regarding Engineering Works and Refundable Securities.

The City needs to ensure that the roads and lanes next to development projects meet the City’s current road and lane standards. Property owners who are applying for a Housing Choices project next to a sub-standard road or lane may have to give a portion of their property to the City in order to widen the road or lane and bring it to current standards.

Different bylaws trigger the need for road or lane widening. Some properties which would possibly be impacted by widening include those next to arterial and collector streets (as shown on Schedule “R” to the Zoning Bylaw (PDF)). Widening may also impact properties that are:

• Next to lanes behind arterial streets;
• Next to a lane and lane intersection;
• Next to a street and street intersection;
• In a location on, or near, where a lane is proposed to be built, as shown on Schedule “R” to the Zoning Bylaw (PDF).

For specific information relating to your property, please contact Development Services staff.

If road or lane dedication(s) is required, you need to submit a Subdivision Application (PDF) in addition to your Development Permit Application.

Make sure you add to the Development Application Form (PDF), a Subdivision – Lot Line Adjustment Application, and include the items in the application package identified on the Submission Requirement Checklist on page 5 of the Development Application Form (PDF).

For more information on subdivisions, read the Subdivision Application Guide (PDF) and Drawing Details (PDF) required for the Application.

Yes, it is possible to create a separate legal property title by creating a strata corporation and the deposit of a strata plan in the Land Title Office following construction. The creation of a strata corporation and a strata plan will require the use of your hired professionals, including a BC Land Surveyor and a legal advisor. The strata corporation and strata plan must be finalized prior to the buildings being occupied.