Improve functionality

A lack of clarity in the Zoning Bylaw creates difficulties for both the public and staff. Clear Zoning Bylaw regulations are easy for staff, land owners and the general public to interpret and follow in a consistent manner.

The following issues will be considered as part of the Zoning Bylaw Update:

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Improve functionality

• Alignment with other regulations

  The Zoning Bylaw is currently inconsistent with the District’s Subdivision and Development Control Bylaw, and provincial legislation, such as those of the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch.

• Clarify definitions

  A number of terms used in the Zoning Bylaw are either undefined or overlap with other terms. The lack of clarity can create significant challenges in bylaw interpretation and impacts in which zones specific uses are permitted. Areas where definitions can be improved include:

  • Clarifying distinction between deck, porch and balcony,
  • Clarifying distinction between restaurants, coffee shops, and café,
  • Eliminate overlapping terminology such as retail store/sales, lane/road, parking stalls/spaces, and
  • Define Special Event Portable Food Vending and synchronize with Business License Bylaw.

• Clarify regulations

  Certain areas of the Zoning Bylaw need to be updated due to evolving community needs and situations. Regulations that can be clarified include:

  • Where portable food vending is permitted, and
  • Where to determine open space requirements for projects with both apartments and townhouses.

• Clarify regulatory calculations

  A number of required calculations within the Zoning Bylaw lead to confusion in bylaw interpretation. Calculations that can be clarified include:

  • Gross floor area (GFA) calculations for non-residential zones such as commercial and industrial, and
  • Description of the calculation for the portion of basement included in GFA calculation.

• Redesign formatting

  The current Zoning Bylaw may benefit from a layout redesign that improves usability. Options include:

  • Adding diagrams and graphics to illustrate regulations where appropriate, and
  • Using charts to make information easier to understand.

• Streamline zones

  The current Zoning Bylaw includes numerous commercial and industrial zones which may be suitable for consolidation.

• Specific amendments under consideration:

  Category	Description
  Align Zoning with other Regulations	Align zoning regulations and terms with those of the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch.
  	Remove overlap between the Zoning Bylaw and the subdivision and development control bylaw or building code.
  Clarify Definitions	Clarify the distinction between dwelling, two-unit, triplex, fourplex, townhouse and apartment.
  	Move Cottage Dwelling Unit definition from RM-4 zone to definitions section and specify that it applies to RM-4 only
  	Streamline bylaw terminology and eliminate overlapping terminology such as retail store/sales, lane/road, parking stalls/spaces, property/lots/parcel, structure/building, gasoline service station/vehicle fueling station.
  	Create consistency 'Student and Faculty Housing' / Student and Faculty Housing
  	Replace Floor Space Ration (FSR) (used in one diagram) with floor area ratio.
  	Add indoor shooting range to indoor recreation definition.
  	Define deck, porch, and balcony.
  	Define Temporary Commercial Vendor and synchronize with Business License Bylaw.
  	Define modular/mobile home.
  	Define Special Event Portable Food Vending and synchronize with Business License Bylaw.
  	Clarify distinction and hierarchy of restaurants, coffee shops, café, etc.
  	Clarify lot line definition so that 'access route in strata plan' is distinct from turnarounds.
  Clarify Language	Fix superscripts for all measurement units.
  	Update referenced legislation naming.
  	Synchronize formatting for dimensions and measurements throughout bylaw.
  Clarify Permitted Uses	Add 'major' to 'business and professional office' CD 12, 27, 37, 43.
  	Move accessory uses out of principle uses through all zones.
  Clarify Regulations	Clarify C-4 building setbacks for properties abutting residential civic and assembly uses.
  	Clarify locations where portable food vending is permitted.
  	Clarify how to determine open space requirements for projects with apartments and townhouses.
  	Clarify application of landscaping requirements in regards to "multi-unit" development.
  	Clarify maximum number of dwelling units (or accessory buildings) in RE zone.
  Clarify Regulatory Calculations	Specify that garage floor area can only be exempted from gross floor area once.
  	Ensure gross floor area calculation provisions exist for all commercial, industrial and potentially other zones.
  	Clarify whether or not waste rooms located in accessory buildings are exempt from gross floor area.
  	Clarify description of the calculation for the portion of basement included in gross floor area calculation.
  	Synchronize tree caliper requirements in bylaw, specifically between general regulations and parking regulations.
  Redesign Formatting	Utilize charts to make information easier to understand.
  	Add diagrams and graphics to illustrate regulations where appropriate.
  	Link Section 4.4 (Accessory Buildings) section b (gross floor area limits) should reference Accessory Dwelling Unit section and Accessory Residential Unit section.
  Streamline Zones	Remove references to obsolete uses.
  	Consider consolidating existing similar zones in the commercial and industrial sections.