FAQs

In simplest terms, zoning is the regulation of land use and development. Zoning bylaws tell us what can (and cannot) be done on a property, including things like:

• What activities are permitted: Such as residential, business, agriculture, industry, and more
• How much you can build: The density or the number of buildings that can be put on one property
• How big buildings and structures can be: How tall and wide buildings and structures can be and how much of the site can be covered
• Where buildings or structures are located on the property: Setbacks or how close to your property line you can build
• If and how you can subdivide: How land is divided into separate parcels

  including the shape and dimensions

Learn more about zoning by watching this video.

Here’s how it started: 

• The CVRD had ten separate Zoning Bylaws and seven separate Official Community Plans (OCPs). There were inconsistencies, inefficiencies, and unintended consequences. 

Here’s what has happened:

• In 2018, the CVRD Board directed staff to harmonize and modernize both the Electoral Area Official Community Plans (OCPs) and the Zoning Bylaws.
• In 2021 a harmonized OCP for the electoral areas was adopted, consolidating seven OCPs into one. 
• Now the CVRD is working on modernizing the OCP (MOCP) to include new land use designations, growth containment boundaries, and local area plans. 
• At the same time, we are creating a harmonized and modernized Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw which will consolidate nine existing Zoning Bylaws into one. 

See how it all fits together!

Some of the topics we will exploring through this process include:

• SECONDARY SUITES: How many suites should be allowed on a property, what size they can be, and what needs to be provided like utilities and parking
• RESIDENTIAL ACCESSORY BUILDINGS: How to manage the size of accessory buildings like garages and storage sheds to best fit the size of a property
• RESIDENTIAL FOOD PRODUCTION: If and how small-scale urban farming like keeping of chickens and beehives should be permitted on residential properties
• FOOD TRUCKS: Where food trucks should be allowed to operate in the region
• SHIPPING CONTAINERS: If and where shipping containers should be permitted for long-term storage purpose

There are many ways to engage!

• Drop into our Community Pop-Ups: Visit our Farmers' Market pop-up on Saturday, October 5 between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm at the Duncan Farmers’ Market. Find us in front of the CVRD offices at 175 Ingram Street.
• Email us: Ask a question by emailing us zoning@cvrd.bc.ca
• Complete a Survey: At an event or online by Friday, November 8. 
• Sign up for Project Updates: Stay informed by registering for project updates at the link on the top of this page. Your information will not be shared and will only be used for the duration of this project. 
• Spread the Word: Tell your friends, family members, and neighbours.
• Stay Tuned: Watch this space and in your community for upcoming engagement later this fall on agricultural zoning.

The online CVRD Web Map allows anyone to search their property and find important information like zoning, OCP designations, development permit areas, service areas, and more. 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. To use the Web Map go to the Web Map and click on desktop icon (see image above).  
2. From there a disclaimer statement will appear, click 'accept'. The map will launch and show the entire Regional District. 
3. To find your property you can either search by scrolling in and navigating to it, or use the address tool or parcel identifier (PID) for bare land.
4. Once you have found the property, use the 'identify tool' (top left) by clicking on the tool and then on the property. By doing this, information should populate on the left side. 

   

5. From there you can click on any of the items shown in that list for more information. Links are also provided to pertinent bylaws like the applicable zoning bylaw.