A Development Variance Permit (DVP) may be applied for in order to vary certain regulations of the City of Port Coquitlam’s Zoning Bylaw, Parking and Development Management Bylaw, Subdivision Servicing Bylaw or Sign Bylaw.
A DVP cannot vary the use or density from what is specified by bylaw or a flood plain specification. Please refer to the rezoning [PDF/501KB] process for proposed use or density changes.
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 Official Community Plan amendments.
Find out the property’s zoning using PoCoMAP or the Zoning Maps in the Planning Division, and check the Zoning Bylaw for zoning requirements and regulations that apply to your property, including such supplemental regulations as recycling facilities and specifications and bicycle facilities.
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 and how it addresses community goals and objectives. Staff will also provide advice to ensure a comprehensive application, including public consultation requirements and appropriate terms of reference for required consultant studies.
Bring information such as a site plan, development concept and photos of the site and surrounding areas to the meeting.
Application Process
To apply for a Development Variance Permit, you must submit a complete application and fees. A detailed checklist of required materials is included in the Development Variance Permit Application form. Staff are only able to accept complete applications.
It usually requires a minimum of three to four months to obtain a decision on a DVP application. The timing depends on the application’s complexity and completeness, time required for plan revisions, and timing of Committee and Council meetings.
There may be legal costs associated with your DP application. Restrictive covenants, statutory right-of-ways or other legal agreements and documents may be required.
Approval Process
The appointed Planning File Manager will circulate the application to staff in other departments and any other applicable outside agencies. The primary contact will be notified about any requests for information or revisions. Enquiries about the status of the application should be directed to the Planning File Manager.
If a development variance permit application does not comply with submission requirements or if additional information is required for its assessment, a written response from the Planning File Manager will be provided listing resubmission requirements.
Resubmissions which fully address all identified issues and information requirements will proceed in a timely manner through the application review process. All materials responding to resubmission requirements must be provided by the applicant in one comprehensive resubmission to the File Manager unless otherwise stipulated by the File Manager.
Development Variance Permits may be considered by Council or the Director of Development Services for approval as determined by Planning staff. The Director of Development Services has delegated authority to approve minor DVPs that comply with the criteria and guidelines outlined in the Delegation of Authority bylaw.
Staff will forward a report to the Committee of Council for consideration of the proposal. Committee of Council normally meets four times a month on Tuesday afternoons and applicants are encouraged to attend the meeting relevant to their application. The Committee of Council may instruct the Corporate Officer to give notice of Council’s consideration of the application, request additional information or determine they do not support the application and forward to Council with a recommendation to reject.
Council will receive a report and recommendations from Committee of Council. Council may consider approval of the variance or it may refuse the application.
Following the approval of the DVP, other applications such as Subdivision and Building Permit may proceed. The Building Permit must be consistent with the terms of the DVP; any request for change to the approved design of the building or landscaping must be brought to staff’s attention and could require a new DVP application.
If Council approves the development variance proposal, staff will prepare the DVP and Notice of Permit for signatures and registration at the Land Titles Office. The City can register the signed Notice of Permit and DVP for a fee. The Building Permit must be issued and the project substantially under construction within two years of the date of DVP approval.
