Land Development Information

Any time a property owner wishes to change what uses and buildings are permitted on that property, or wants to subdivide their parcel into more than one lot, a land development application is required.

The controls and process for changing land use, structures, and subdivision of property are established through provincial legislation, but approval for land development procedure is given by the province to municipalities to review, consider, and when appropriate, approve.

The District of Squamish reviews land development applications as follows:

Official Community Plan Amendments

When a land development proposal is not consistent with the Official Community Plan (OCP), OCP policies or designations need to be amended by Council.

Rezoning Amendments

If a different type of use, density, or minimum lot size, is required as part of a new project, then a rezoning is required.

Secondary Suites

The installation of a secondary suite in a new or existing single unit dwelling or within an accessory building (also known as a “carriage home”) is permitted by the District of Squamish, subject to both the District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw and the British Columbia Building Code (BCBC). Learn more.

Subdivision

To subdivide one property into smaller lots, or to combine two different lots (consolidate) and then subdivide again into smaller lots, a subdivision approval is required. 

Strata Conversion

When a multi-unit building is owned by one owner or a group of owners, and the owner(s) wish to create individual titles for each unit to allow for individual ownership of each unit, then a Strata Conversion is required.

Development Permit

When a new building is proposed in any of the District’s Development Permit Areas, or if the building is a multi-unit residential building, a Development Permit is required prior to any construction. The Development Permit ensures the new project is consistent with Development Permit Area criteria, as established in the OCP.