New R1 Zone to be considered for adoption, Dust Abatement, Soil Permitting FAQ

An update to the zoning bylaw to increase density standards across the District will be considered for adoption by Council on Tuesday, June 18.

This update proposes to replace the RS-1, RS-1A, RS-2, RS-2A, RS-3, and RMH-2 zoning in most of the District with a new R-1 zone to allow more small-scale housing options in zones that are otherwise restricted to single-family dwellings and duplexes. These changes are necessary to align the District’s zoning requirements with new provincial legislation (BILL 44) as well as the District’s commitments to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (Squamish Housing Action Plan).

Changes to properties in the new R-1 zone include:

An increase to minimum density standard.
Adding a new definition for Multiple Dwelling Residential (MDR) being a physical arrangement of three or more attached dwelling units which have a maximum height of 11 metres and/or a maximum of three storeys.
Increases in lot coverage and floor area ratios depending on the number of units proposed.
A decrease of minimum setbacks for properties outside of the flood hazard area.

Please note development for properties with three or more stratified units are still required to undergo a Development Permit Applications (DPA3) process. Please contact the planning department if you are considering building Multiple Dwelling Residential units on your property at 604.815.5002 or planning@squamish.ca

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DUST CONTROL

With summer weather arriving sooner than expected this year, the District is issuing a notice for active constructions or site alteration sites to ensure that there are dust mitigation measures being taken and dust is controlled at all times.

Dust can be a safety hazard and a major nuisance for the public, and with elevated levels of active development it is a major concern for the District as we head into the summer. Use of water is common practice for managing dust.

Please note that only non-potable water can be used for dust abatement.

District officers continue to proactively monitor development sites during dry periods. Please familiarize yourself with the regulations as we roll into summer!

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SOIL PERMITTING FAQ

Do I need a soil permit?

There are several factors that will indicate if your project requires an approved soil permit. See the most common ones below:

Are you moving more than 30 m³ (approx. 3 truckloads) of soil or other material (sand, gravel, etc.) within a 12-month period?
Are invasive plant species present on the property that will be disturbed by the soil work?
Is the deposit/removal of soil within 30 meters of a greater than 30% slope?
Is the property where the work is happening located within a floodway?
Is the property where the work is happening located within an Environmentally Sensitive Area or Riparian Assessment Area?

This list is not exhaustive, and other factors may be considered. If you have questions, please contact the District of Squamish Planning Department at Planning@Squamish.ca or 604-815-5002. For more information, the Soils Management Bylaw No. 2641, 2018 is available at the link below.

View the bylaw

When should I apply for a Soil Permit during development?

Soil permit applications expire after 6 months, so applying at the correct time is important. You cannot have a soil permit issued before your development permit has been issued, since design changes during planning stages may influence the amount of soil movement that is required.

Once your design has been finalized and approved, a soil permit application can be started. Please work with your District of Squamish Planning representative or contact the District of Squamish Planning Department at Planning@Squamish.ca or 604-815-5002 if you have questions.

A soil permit can be issued before you have a Building Permit. If you are working on a Building Permit, it is advised to apply for a soil permit as soon as possible so that they can be issued concurrently, and you can start your project.

It is important to make sure that your soil permit application includes all required information, since project review will not begin until the application is complete. Once review has begun, soil permits are typically issued within 2-4 weeks. If additional information is required, timelines may take longer.

View more information on Soil Management below.

More information

June 14, 2024

New R1 Zone to be considered for adoption, Dust Abatement, Soil Permitting FAQ

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