New Legislation Streamlines Rezoning

New legislation allows municipalities to rezone properties without the need for public hearings.

On October 26, 2021 the BC Government gave third reading to Bill 26 and moved it along for Royal Assent to become law in 2022. This new legislation will give local governments more power to simplify and speed up their development approvals processes, allowing for much needed housing development. The Government understands the crisis we are facing in providing housing in BC, so this is exciting news for Designers as it will streamline our work. This new law amends the Local Government Act to remove the default requirement for local governments to hold public hearings for zoning bylaw amendments that are consistent with the official community plan, and enable local governments to delegate decisions on minor development variance permits to staff.

Municipalities will be required to provide public notice of the rezoning bylaw before the bylaw is considered at first reading by a municipal council or regional district board.

BCABD applauds the forward thinking behind this new legislation along with the efforts to provide much needed housing in the Province.

Read the official BC Government news release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021MUNI0061-002035

For more information about the Development Approvals Process Review consultation process, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/local- governments/planning-land-use/dapr_2019_report.pdf