In addition to a building permit, other types of permits may be required for a development project in a rural area. These additional permitting requirements are established by various zoning bylaws and official community plans for each area within the Cariboo Regional District.
Your development application will be processed in accordance with the Development Procedures, Guidelines & Fees Bylaw, which includes a detailed fee and refund schedule. This bylaw may be accessed through the Bylaw Directory page.
We recommend that you discuss your proposed development with planning department staff before starting your application. This will allow for any application requirements to be identified well in advance of submission, saving you time and money on moving your proposal forward. You can also access our property information system to find out more information about applicable zoning, land use designation and property information.
| Development Permits |
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A Development Permit can be required to regulate the siting buildings, form and character of a development, mitigating impacts to sensitive habitats, and reducing geotechnical hazards. Development Permit Areas are established by Official Community Plans, and identify any properties subject to these requirements. Depending on the location of the property and applicable land use regulations, a Development Permit application may be required for any property identified as being within any of the following:
Additionally, variances from requirements under a zoning bylaw can be requested as part of a development permit application. This can include variances from setback, siting, screening, landscaping, or on-site parking requirements. A variance may not be issued for any land use or density restrictions under a zoning bylaw. A zoning amendment would be required. |
| Development Variance Permits |
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Zoning bylaws impose regulations on all properties within a defined zone, and may not account for features such as topography and lot shape that are unique to specific properties. Planning legislation recognizes that a variance may be required on a property-specific basis. Variances can be issued for a variety of site development regulations, including:
A variance may not be issued for any land use or density restrictions under a zoning bylaw. A zoning amendment would be required. Examples of where a variance may be beneficial include:
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| Temporary Use Permits |
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A Temporary Use Permit allows the use of land, on a temporary basis, in a manner which does not conform to the applicable zoning bylaw or official community plan. These permits may be issued for an initial period of up to three years, with the possibility of one extension for a further three years. The permit takes precedence over uses allowed in a zoning or rural land use bylaw. An example of a temporary use requiring a permit would be a retail store being located within a residential dwelling. Conditions can be imposed as part of the permit. For example, the permit may require the permittee to return the property to the original state after use, or providing the CRD with a bond or letters of irrevocable credit with regard to a subject condition. This is to ensure that the agreed-upon conditions are completed and allow the property to return to its permitted uses once the permit expires. |
| Zoning and Official Community Plans Amendments |
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If your development project does not conform to any use or density restrictions under a zoning bylaw or does not conform to its land use designation under an official community plan, you will need to apply for an amendment to the applicable bylaw. If you are proposing to amend a property's zoning or land use designation, a public hearing is required. Public hearings allow for residents with an interest impacted by the proposed development to bring forward any potential impacts, concerns, or considerations to the Board of Directors before an amendment is considered for approval. An application for a zoning or OCP amendment may also be subject to requirements under our Shoreland Management Policy before being approved. Not every application to alter land use regulations requires an amendment to the Official Community Plan. For example:
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Development Application Fees |
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A development application may require fees to be paid prior to review by staff. These fees are established by the Development Procedures, Guidelines & Fees Bylaw, which sets out detailed fee structures for various applications and a fee refund schedule for withdrawn applications. Fees are not required for preliminary planning inquiries. Application fees are may be paid through any CRD office by cheque, card, or cash. |
| Required Application Information |
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Generally, a development application will require:
As part of an application, you may be required to submit additional information beyond the requirements of the Development Procedures, Guidelines & Fees Bylaw. These additional requirements only apply to areas which are designated by an Official Community Plan as being an area for which additional development information is required. This may include reports from qualified professionals (an engineer, surveyor, biologist, professional planner, archeologist, or architect) related to:
While the CRD is committed to ensuring a completed review within 21 days, an independent review of the information may be required. An additional 60 days would be provided in order to allow a qualified professional from the same association as the report's author to conduct the review. |