Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw

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Note to Community, per April 22, 2026 Board resolution, work on the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw will be paused until after the October 2026 local election and further to the Board direction to continue any further work.

The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) is updating and consolidating ten existing zoning bylaws into one region-wide Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw (CZB) for all electoral areas. The new zoning bylaw will simplify zoning regulations, making them easier to understand for residents and more efficient and cost-effective to administer. In short, it will make zoning less complicated for everyone.

To learn more visit:

  • Visit our FAQs about the project and recent draft CZB, we will continue to update them as we move forward to help show we are listening
  • See our Project Updates and timeline to learn how we got here
  • Review our CZB Review Documents to see our past staff reports, engagement summaries and more
  • View the draft CZB to get an understanding of the proposed zones and what uses



What is a Zoning Bylaw?

A zoning bylaw is a set of rules that specify how land can and cannot be used. In the CVRD, zoning bylaws are enacted by the CVRD Board through authority granted by the Local Government Act.

Zoning bylaws regulate:

  • Use of land, buildings, and other structures
  • Density, or the number of homes that can be built on one property
  • Siting and size of buildings and other structures, including height and setbacks from property lines
  • Location of uses on the land and within buildings and other structures
  • Shape, dimensions, and area of all parcels of land created by subdivision, which includes minimum parcel sizes

The power to regulate through a zoning bylaw also includes the power for local governments to prohibit uses in a zone. Watch this video to learn more!

Why are Zoning Bylaws Important?

Zoning bylaws divide areas into zones for different types of land uses, such as residential, agricultural, and commercial. This helps to reduce conflicts between uses that might not work well next to one another. For example, it keeps new homes from being built next to a noisy industrial plant. Zoning also helps create a balance of uses in a community to meet its needs and to support a sustainable future.

Why is the CVRD consolidating its zoning bylaws?

Zoning bylaws are the practical tools that help implement the vision outlined in the Official Community Plan (OCP). All zoning regulations must be consistent with the land use designations in the OCP. The 2025 OCP for the Electoral Areas sets the foundation, vision, and land use designations for the Cowichan Valley. The CVRD is consolidating its zoning bylaws and completing updates to create a Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw that aligns with the OCP.

The CZB will provide a single set of Definitions and General Regulations that apply to all electoral areas. This will make future updates easier and improve efficiency in processing applications. It will also add in other existing bylaws like the Sign Bylaw, Manufactured Home Park Bylaw, Campground Standards Bylaw, Off-Street Parking Bylaw, and Landscape Standards so these are all within one Bylaw.


Note to Community, per April 22, 2026 Board resolution, work on the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw will be paused until after the October 2026 local election and further to the Board direction to continue any further work.

The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) is updating and consolidating ten existing zoning bylaws into one region-wide Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw (CZB) for all electoral areas. The new zoning bylaw will simplify zoning regulations, making them easier to understand for residents and more efficient and cost-effective to administer. In short, it will make zoning less complicated for everyone.

To learn more visit:

  • Visit our FAQs about the project and recent draft CZB, we will continue to update them as we move forward to help show we are listening
  • See our Project Updates and timeline to learn how we got here
  • Review our CZB Review Documents to see our past staff reports, engagement summaries and more
  • View the draft CZB to get an understanding of the proposed zones and what uses



What is a Zoning Bylaw?

A zoning bylaw is a set of rules that specify how land can and cannot be used. In the CVRD, zoning bylaws are enacted by the CVRD Board through authority granted by the Local Government Act.

Zoning bylaws regulate:

  • Use of land, buildings, and other structures
  • Density, or the number of homes that can be built on one property
  • Siting and size of buildings and other structures, including height and setbacks from property lines
  • Location of uses on the land and within buildings and other structures
  • Shape, dimensions, and area of all parcels of land created by subdivision, which includes minimum parcel sizes

The power to regulate through a zoning bylaw also includes the power for local governments to prohibit uses in a zone. Watch this video to learn more!

Why are Zoning Bylaws Important?

Zoning bylaws divide areas into zones for different types of land uses, such as residential, agricultural, and commercial. This helps to reduce conflicts between uses that might not work well next to one another. For example, it keeps new homes from being built next to a noisy industrial plant. Zoning also helps create a balance of uses in a community to meet its needs and to support a sustainable future.

Why is the CVRD consolidating its zoning bylaws?

Zoning bylaws are the practical tools that help implement the vision outlined in the Official Community Plan (OCP). All zoning regulations must be consistent with the land use designations in the OCP. The 2025 OCP for the Electoral Areas sets the foundation, vision, and land use designations for the Cowichan Valley. The CVRD is consolidating its zoning bylaws and completing updates to create a Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw that aligns with the OCP.

The CZB will provide a single set of Definitions and General Regulations that apply to all electoral areas. This will make future updates easier and improve efficiency in processing applications. It will also add in other existing bylaws like the Sign Bylaw, Manufactured Home Park Bylaw, Campground Standards Bylaw, Off-Street Parking Bylaw, and Landscape Standards so these are all within one Bylaw.

  • April 23, 2026 News Release

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    The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) Board met on April 22, 2026, to consider recommendations regarding timelines for the draft Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw (CZB) project. Both current and proposed zoning apply only to the nine electoral areas in the region.

    At the meeting, the electoral area directors voted to:

    • Unanimously approve a recommendation to pause planning work on the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw, Local Area Plans, Development Permit Areas, and Modernized Official Community Plan until after October 17, 2026, Local General Elections and the development of a new strategic plan; and
    • Not move forward at this time with Bylaw No. 4632, Zoning Bylaw for the Electoral Areas Amendment Bylaw (Development Permit Area Exemptions and Guidelines).

    Click to read the full news release.

    The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) Board met on April 22, 2026, to consider recommendations regarding timelines for the draft Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw (CZB) project. Both current and proposed zoning apply only to the nine electoral areas in the region.

    At the meeting, the electoral area directors voted to:

    • Unanimously approve a recommendation to pause planning work on the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw, Local Area Plans, Development Permit Areas, and Modernized Official Community Plan until after October 17, 2026, Local General Elections and the development of a new strategic plan; and
    • Not move forward at this time with Bylaw No. 4632, Zoning Bylaw for the Electoral Areas Amendment Bylaw (Development Permit Area Exemptions and Guidelines).

    Click to read the full news release.

  • April 16, 2026 News Release

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    The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) Electoral Area Services Committee (EASC) met on April 15, 2026, to consider options for timelines for the draft Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw (CZB) project. The current and future zoning only applies to the nine electoral areas in the region.

    The EASC recommended keeping all CZB input for future use, pausing related planning work until after the October 2026 General Local Election and new strategic plan, and focusing on clearing current applications.

    Click to read the full news release.

    The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) Electoral Area Services Committee (EASC) met on April 15, 2026, to consider options for timelines for the draft Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw (CZB) project. The current and future zoning only applies to the nine electoral areas in the region.

    The EASC recommended keeping all CZB input for future use, pausing related planning work until after the October 2026 General Local Election and new strategic plan, and focusing on clearing current applications.

    Click to read the full news release.

  • May Community Engagement Postponed

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    The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) Electoral Area Services Committee (EASC) met on March 26 and April 1, 2026, to receive a presentation on the draft Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw (CZB). The current and future zoning only applies to the nine electoral areas in the region.

    Based on the level of community feedback on the draft CZB, the EASC is recommending further work be deferred until after a community engagement process is completed and revisions to the draft are made. There will also be a public hearing at the appropriate time. The open houses previously scheduled for May are being postponed at this time to allow the EASC and the Board to consider the overall project timeframe.

    A Special EASC will be held on April 15, 2026, at 1 p.m. to consider options for the revised community engagement for the CZB project. EASC recommendations will be considered at the April 22, 2026, Board meeting and once finalized.

    These steps are being taken in response to the significant amount of community interest in the draft CZB. Dates for community engagement on the draft CZB will be confirmed after the upcoming Board and EASC meetings.

    Click to read the full news release.

    View the Include link to April 1, 2026 Special EASC meeting video.

    The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) Electoral Area Services Committee (EASC) met on March 26 and April 1, 2026, to receive a presentation on the draft Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw (CZB). The current and future zoning only applies to the nine electoral areas in the region.

    Based on the level of community feedback on the draft CZB, the EASC is recommending further work be deferred until after a community engagement process is completed and revisions to the draft are made. There will also be a public hearing at the appropriate time. The open houses previously scheduled for May are being postponed at this time to allow the EASC and the Board to consider the overall project timeframe.

    A Special EASC will be held on April 15, 2026, at 1 p.m. to consider options for the revised community engagement for the CZB project. EASC recommendations will be considered at the April 22, 2026, Board meeting and once finalized.

    These steps are being taken in response to the significant amount of community interest in the draft CZB. Dates for community engagement on the draft CZB will be confirmed after the upcoming Board and EASC meetings.

    Click to read the full news release.

    View the Include link to April 1, 2026 Special EASC meeting video.

  • March 31, 2026 News Release

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    Click to read the full news release.

    Click to read the full news release.

  • Agricultural Zoning

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
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    What's Happening?

    In the CVRD, agriculturally zoned lands include all lands within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), plus lands that have high agricultural potential, as identified in the Official Community Plan (OCP).

    Currently, there are 36 distinct agricultural zones in existing zoning bylaws. The new CZB will:

    • Reduce the total number of zones in electoral areas, including agricultural zones
    • Update zoning throughout the electoral areas to create more consistent zoning regulations
    • Better align with current best practices and the OCP policies, which include strengthening protection of agricultural land
    • Align with the provincial Agricultural Land Use Regulation

    Updates to agricultural zoning will help protect agricultural lands and food systems to build community resilience, support economic viability, and retain our region’s character.


    Thank you to everyone who participated in agricultural zoning meetings in 2024. Your feedback shared during these meetings has been used as input to the Draft Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw. Please review the Draft CZB to learn more.



    What's Happening?

    In the CVRD, agriculturally zoned lands include all lands within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), plus lands that have high agricultural potential, as identified in the Official Community Plan (OCP).

    Currently, there are 36 distinct agricultural zones in existing zoning bylaws. The new CZB will:

    • Reduce the total number of zones in electoral areas, including agricultural zones
    • Update zoning throughout the electoral areas to create more consistent zoning regulations
    • Better align with current best practices and the OCP policies, which include strengthening protection of agricultural land
    • Align with the provincial Agricultural Land Use Regulation

    Updates to agricultural zoning will help protect agricultural lands and food systems to build community resilience, support economic viability, and retain our region’s character.


    Thank you to everyone who participated in agricultural zoning meetings in 2024. Your feedback shared during these meetings has been used as input to the Draft Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw. Please review the Draft CZB to learn more.



  • APC Meeting Update

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    Watch the June 26, 2025 Advisory Planning Committee (APC) Meeting. This presentation introduces the CZB and provides information about select sections of draft bylaw.

    Watch the June 26, 2025 Advisory Planning Committee (APC) Meeting. This presentation introduces the CZB and provides information about select sections of draft bylaw.

  • Review the 2024 Engagement Summaries

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    In Fall 2024, early engagement was completed to collect insights on key emerging questions and talk more about agricultural zoning. We would like to extend our appreciation to everyone who participated. The information shared was used as input to development of the Draft Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw.

    Read the engagement summaries here:

    In Fall 2024, early engagement was completed to collect insights on key emerging questions and talk more about agricultural zoning. We would like to extend our appreciation to everyone who participated. The information shared was used as input to development of the Draft Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw.

    Read the engagement summaries here:

Page last updated: 04 May 2026, 11:44 AM