Land Development
Developing buildings and land in North Cowichan is often a multi-stage process and usually involves interaction not only with Planning staff, but with municipal staff in other departments (e.g. Engineering and Building), as well as with Council and the general public.
Before You Get Started:
Development application fees increase June 15, 2023
North Cowichan increased development application fees to shift more of the cost of processing development applications and managing development from general taxation to development applicants. The intent is to generate additional revenue from increased application fees that can be used to improve service levels and reduce application processing times. Learn more at www.connectnorthcowichan.ca/fees-bylaw-amendment
Retaining Wall Regulations - Adopted March 15, 2023
North Cowichan has adopted new retaining wall regulations. The changes to zoning and building bylaws are intended to make it easier to install low retaining walls without permits or other municipal approvals while also establishing regulations for taller retaining walls that could impact privacy and safety.
The new regulations encompass: height restrictions in line with fence height regulations, measurement criteria, regulations for retaining walls combined with fences, building permits and engineering required for walls taller than 1.2 metres, and specifications for terraced retaining walls and guard rails. Check out the Retaining Wall Handbook (PDF) for more information.
Getting Started
As every property and development proposal is unique, and application requirements can vary, please contact Planning Staff by phone: 250-746-3104 or by email to discuss your project and application requirements prior to submitting an application. Planning Staff are here to guide you through the process and to advise if a pre-application meeting is necessary prior to your submission.
Site Disclosure Statement Form
A completed Site Disclosure Statement (effective February 1, 2021) is required in addition to the required application documents for development applications, land use amendments, subdivisions and building permits. A Site Disclosure Statement is necessary to determine and identify if potential Schedule 2 activities of the Contaminated Sites Regulation have occurred on the subject property or properties. Identification of a "Schedule 2" industrial or commercial use on the property or properties will typically require that the Site Disclosure Statement be forwarded to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. In this circumstance, North Cowichan cannot grant development approvals or issue permits until it receives authorization from the Ministry to proceed. The provincial Site Remediation website is the best resource of information on all aspects of contaminated sites.
Applications that are submitted without the mandatory Site Disclosure Statement will be considered incomplete and will delay the application process.