Development Approvals
Official Community Plan or Zoning Amendment
If the proposed use of your property does not align with the permitted uses or intent of your property you may be required to pursue a land use amendment to the City’s Official Community Plan or Zoning Bylaw. An Official Community Plan or Zoning Amendment may take three to four months to process. Please refer to attached Guidelines for further information. It is recommended that you contact the City’s Planner for a pre-application meeting prior to submitting application.
Official Community Plan/Zoning Amendment Application Guide
Development Permits
Development Permits are required when you are proposing a multi-family, commercial or industrial development or are developing property in a designated Development Permit Area as identified by the City’s Official Community Plan. Please refer to the City’s Official Community Plan to find out if your proposal falls within a Development Permit Area. Minor Development Permits may take two to three weeks to process while Major Development Permits may take two to three months. Please refer to the attached Guidelines for further information. It is recommended that you contact the City’s Planner for a pre-application meeting prior to submitting application.
Development Permit Application Guide
Development Variance or Board of Variance
A Development Variance may be required if you are unable to meet building setbacks, siting, height, sign or parking requirements or servicing requirements of the City’s Zoning Bylaw, Sign Bylaw or Subdivision and Development Services Bylaw. Board of Variance may also be used if the variance is minor in nature or where there is undue hardship. A Board of Variance may take only weeks to process while a Development Variance can take up to two to three months. Please refer to the attached Guidelines for further information. It is recommended that you contact the City’s Planner for a pre-application meeting prior to submitting application.
Development Variance/Board of Variance Application Guide
Temporary Use Permits
Temporary Use Permits are used in instances where you may wish to use a property for a short duration for purposes that do not align with the City’s Zoning Bylaw. A Temporary Use Permit is valid for a period of three (3) years and is subject to renewal. Minor Temporary Use Permits may take two to three weeks to process while Major Temporary Use Permits may take two to three months. Please refer to the attached Guidelines for further information. It is recommended that you contact the City’s Planner for a pre-application meeting prior to submitting application.
Temporary Use Permit Application Guide
Subdivision
Subdivision can include:
- Consolidation of properties
- Boundary adjustments between properties
- The creation of new parcels from one or more existing parcels; or
- The creation of strata or phased strata lots
The City’s Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw sets out the requirements for works and services associated with a subdivision proposal. Subdivision proposals must also align with the City’s Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw. Subdivision takes time even for simple applications and can include significant costs associated with servicing, provision of on-site and off-site works and engineering. It is recommended you meet with the Approving Officer or Deputy Approving Officer before making application. For further guidance on the subdivision process, please refer to the attached Guidelines.
Sign Bylaw
The City has a Sign Bylaw that guides the form and character of signage for home based businesses and commercial and industrial operations. Please refer to the Building Department or Planning Department for more details on what is permitted.
Hens and Bees
The City allows for the keeping of hens and bees. For more information and to access the associated guidelines for the keeping of hens and bees, please use the link below:
We recommend before making an application that you meet with Development Services staff to discuss your proposal so we can better support you through the process. Please email devserv@castlegar.ca
Other Resources
Castle Maps
To find out more information about a property, please use our on-line mapping tool Castle Maps. This tool will allow you to look up what zoning is applicable to a specific property and any other information you may need to assist you in your development decisions.
LTSA
For title information, including ownership of a property please visit BC Land Title & Survey.
Downloads
Planning Procedures and Fees Bylaw 1336