New Provincial Housing Legislation for BC

In November 2023, the provincial government adopted new legislation aimed at easing the housing crisis by enabling the development of small-scale and multi-unit homes on most single-family and duplex zoned lots. This means that all municipalities across BC will soon allow at least three dwelling units on lots up to 280 square metres in size, while at least four units are to be permitted on larger lots. Municipalities outside Fernie that are close to transit stops with frequent service, at least six units will be allowed on larger lots.

The new provincial legislation requires local governments to update their zoning bylaws to accommodate the increased dwelling unit density by the end of June 2024.

The City of Fernie is currently working to draft amendments to the Zoning Bylaw, Official Community Plan (OCP) and develop an updated Housing Needs Report (HNR) to meet the Province’s timelines:

  • June 30, 2024 – Update the Zoning bylaw to allow for Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH).
  • January 1, 2025 – Complete an Interim Housing Needs Report, estimating housing needs for a 20-year timeframe.
  • December 31, 2025 – Update the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw to align with the finalized Housing Needs Report.

The provincial changes also phase out one-off public hearings for housing projects that are consistent with official community plans. Instead, there will be more frequent opportunities for people to be involved earlier in the process, with new legislation requiring the OCP and Zoning Bylaw be updated every 5 years, while reflecting and pre-zoning for the 20-year total number of housing units required to meet anticipated housing needs. Public hearings will continue to be required whenever local governments update or develop new OCPs, or consider rezonings for projects that are not consistent with the OCP.

Learn about the planned changes to help build more homes faster at the Province’s Housing Initiative information page

More infomation is available in the November 1, 2023, press release from the Ministry of Housing.

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