Official Community Plan Updates – 2025

The Official Community Plan Updates – 2025 are a critical step in aligning our local planning policies with the recent provincial housing legislation. These updates affect Electoral Areas: A, B, C, D, F, G, J, and K.

Why These Updates Are Needed:

• Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023 (Bill 44) requires all local governments to allow Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) in zones that previously only allowed single detached or duplex homes.

• Zoning bylaws in the RDCK were updated in 2024 to comply with these changes. The updates included changes related to density, minimum lot size requirements, and the number of dwelling units permitted on a lot.

• OCP amendments are now needed to ensure all land use policies fully align with the provincial legislation and zoning amendments before December 31, 2025.

Official Community Plan Bylaws to be amended:

• Electoral Area ‘A’ Comprehensive Land Use Bylaw No. 2315, 2013
• Electoral Area ‘B’ Comprehensive Land Use Bylaw No. 2316, 2013
• Electoral Area ‘C’ Comprehensive Land Use Bylaw No. 2317, 2013
• Electoral Area ‘D’ Comprehensive Land Use Bylaw No. 2435, 2016
• Electoral Area ‘F’ Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2214, 2011
• Electoral Area ‘G’ Land Use Bylaw No. 2452, 2018
• Kootenay – Columbia Rivers Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1157, 1996 (Electoral Area J)
• Electoral Area ‘K’ – The Arrow Lakes Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2022, 2009