Development Permits

• Development Permit Area (DPA)

  A Development Permit Area (DPA) is a set of development regulations that affect a specific area. In Comox Development Permit Areas are included as part of the OCP. In British Columbia, section 919.1 of the Local Government Act allows municipalities to regulate Development Permit Areas for the following purposes:

  • Establishment of objectives for the form and character of intensive residential, commercial and industrial development;
  • Establishment of objectives to promote energy and water conservation and a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions;
  • Protection of natural environments, ecosystems and biodiversity;
  • Protection from hazardous conditions; 
  • Protection of farmland;
  • Revitalization of commercial areas.

  It is important to note that the Local Government Act prohibits municipalities from using Development Permit Areas to regulate the land use or density of a property. If you have a development project that requires a change to the property’s land use or density an OCP Amendment or Rezoning Application may be necessary. Please contact the Planning Department at 250- 339-1118 if you have any questions about the approvals that may be necessary for your development project.

  Review the Development Permit Area Maps (PDF) for locations of Development Permit Areas with objectives to support the purposes listed above.

• Development Permit Areas Regulating Form and Character

  During the OCP process, Town residents expressed a strong desire to preserve the Town’s existing form and character, including its marine heritage through the establishment of Development Permit Areas (DPAs). Typically, form and character DPAs include building and landscape design guidelines, that regulate building massing, architectural features, colour pallets and finishing materials, to ensure high-quality developments that will fit into their surrounding neighbourhoods and become positive assets to the community at large. DPAs may also contain guidelines to encourage energy and water conservation including the support of green technology like solar panels for electricity or geothermal systems for heating.

  DPAs concerned with form and character include:

  • DPA #1 Downtown Comox
  • DPA #2 Ground Oriented Infill
  • DPA #3 General Multi-Family
  • DPA #4 Mixed Use: Commercial Residential
  • DPA #5 Commercial: Neighbourhood and Tourist
  • DPA #6 Light Industrial
  • DPA #17 Coach House 
  • DPA #18 Secondary Suites 

  Please consult the Official Community Plan DPA Maps for the exact locations of each DPA. A detailed description of DPA guidelines can be found in the Comox Official Community Plan Bylaw, 2011. If you have any questions regarding the locations or requirements of form and character DPAs please contact the Planning Department at 250-339-1118 or in person at Town Hall.

• Development Permit Areas Regulating Environmental Protection

  In addition to form and character DPAs, the Town of Comox also developed a specific set of DPAs to protect the natural environment, biodiversity and sensitive ecosystems that are an important feature of life in the Town, and to manage hazardous areas.

  Examples of these DPAs include provisions to protect the riparian areas of Brooklyn Creek and Lazo Marsh (DPA 7), Bald Eagle and Great Blue Heron nesting sites and perching trees (DPA 10), existing wildlife corridors (DPA 11) and Garry Oak Habitat (DPA 12). The full list of environmental DPAs and their locations can be found in the Official Community Plan Bylaw, 2011 and the Official Community Plan DPA Maps.

  Each environmental DPA has a unique set of requirements, depending on its objectives.

  The purpose of DPA #13 Hazardous Areas is to protect developments from potentially hazardous environmental conditions, including flooding, erosion and unstable slopes. If a property is located within DPA #13, a development permit is required for any alteration of the land – including vegetation – to protect against landslides and ensure buildings remain safe and habitable.

  For the guidelines and requirements of environmental DPAs, please consult the Official Community Plan Bylaw, 2011 (PDF) and the Official Community Plan DPA Maps (PDF).

  If your project is located within a Development Permit Area, contact the Planning Department (either in person at Town Hall or by phone at 250-339-1118) to obtain an application form and discuss your project before submitting a development permit application to ensure your application is complete or to determine if any Development Permit exemptions apply.

   

   

   

• Additional Information

  • Development Application Fees (page 19)
  • Development Cost Charge Synopsis (PDF)

The Application

• How long does the application process take?

  The development permit application process usually takes between 3 and 4 months from the time a complete submission is received. Complex applications may require additional time. Submitting a complete application is an important part of increased processing times and it is recommended that you contact planning staff prior to submitting an application to ensure any complex issues are identified and to ensure your application is complete.  

• How much does the application cost?

  The development permit application fee is $270 for DPA#7 Riparian Areas and $870 for all other Development Permit Areas. If more than one Development Permit Areas applies to a proposed development, only one $870 application fee is required. A full fee schedule can be found here: Application Fee Schedule (PDF), page 19.

• Who approves the application?

  The Municipal Planner has Council’s delegated authority to approve and issue development permits.