Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Development Permits
Accepting Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Permit Applications via eApply
We are accepting Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Permit Applications via eApply — a secure online service to make applying for permits fast, convenient, and paper-free.
Properties zoned RS1, RS2, RS3 and RS4 are designated as Development Permit Areas in the Official Community Plan (OCP) to ensure the form and character of dwellings and landscaping will be in keeping with their neighbourhood setting and small-scale character.
New dwellings are to be designed to fit the scale of the neighbourhood and create a welcoming and compatible street presence, where a high quality of design, building materials and landscaping is encouraged. Attention should be given to retaining healthy trees and vegetation and using hard and soft landscape treatments to enhance privacy between the adjoining dwelling units.
New duplexes, developments with 3 or more dwellings or accessory dwelling units (ADU) require a Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) Development Permit (DP) before a building permit can be issued.
Other Application Processes
Other application processes – such as rezoning, development variance permit or subdivision applications – may run concurrently, but separate applications are required for each process and approvals may be required before a DP can be approved
Get Started
Access the Official Community Plan (OCP) for policies, land use designation and development permit areas. Visit PoCoMAP to view the current OCP designation of a property.
If applicable to your project, consult the City’s information on rezoning or OCP amendment applications.
Please consult other documents including the Community Charter; Local Government Act; Land Title Act; Strata Property Act; City bylaws (such as the Parking and Development Management Bylaw, Subdivision Servicing Bylaw, Tree Bylaw, and Soil Removal and Deposit Bylaw) and other municipal legislation and policies as may be applicable for specific requirements.
If you are building a new structure or making significant upgrades, consult the Building Permits page.
Review the Heritage Resource Inventory (2013) to see if the subject property has been identified as having potential heritage significance. Consult the Heritage page to learn more about the City’s heritage policies and programs.
Consider employing professionals familiar with the Development Permit process (such as architects or landscape architects) to assist in the application process.
Before submitting your application, you may wish to take steps to speak to the property owners adjacent to the proposed development. This is an opportunity to introduce the proposal, seek input and address neighbour concerns early in the process.
Planning staff are available to discuss the proposal with applicants upon request. If you choose to schedule a preliminary meeting bring information such as a site plan, development concept and photos of the site and surrounding areas to the meeting.
Application Process
Submit a complete application and checklist for both a Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Development Permit [PDF/287KB] and Building Permit, with applicable fees (see below). A primary contact for all communication regarding the application must be appointed at the time of application. Staff are only able to accept complete applications.
There is no defined timeframe to obtain a decision in a Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Development Permit process. The time depends on the comprehensiveness of the application and time to respond to identified issues. The SSMUH Development Permit process and Building Permit process can run concurrently.
To expedite the process, Council has delegated authority to the Director of Development Services to issue DPs for new small-scale residential buildings in the RS zones that are designed to comply with the Zoning Bylaw regulations and OCP guidelines.
All application fees are outlined in Schedule D of the Fees and Charges Bylaw. Please take note of both the development and building fees.
There may be legal costs associated with your DP application. Restrictive covenants, statutory rights-of-way or other legal agreements and documents may be required.
Staff will review of the application to ensure compliance with the Zoning Bylaw, the OCP design guidelines and objectives and other applicable regulations.
If the Director of Development Services approves the development proposal, staff will prepare the Development Permit (DP) and Notice of Permit for signatures and registration at the Land Titles Office. The City can register the signed Notice of Permit and DP for a fee. The Building Permit must be issued and the project substantially under construction within two years of the date of DP approval.
Prior to issuing a building permit, the City requires a landscape security to ensure the project complies with the approved DP landscape drawings in a timely manner. Please refer to the Landscape Plan Requirements [PDF/102KB] for detailed guidelines.
The $5000 landscape security, as defined in the development permit documents, is typically in the form of a Letter of Credit.
Upon completion of the landscaping, the applicant may request an inspection and will be refunded 100% of the deposit if the landscaping is found to be complete.
The Building Division will issue the Building Permit once it has been determined that the application complies with the City’s requirements and the BC Building Code, after the DP has been issued and registered at the Land Titles Office.
