Draft OCP Bylaw receives first and second readings

The updated OCP Bylaw No. 3206 received first and second readings at the February 25, 2026, regular Council meeting.

Draft bylaw documents:

Earlier materials:

How to participate

A public hearing is set for 4 p.m. on May 6, 2026. This is the final opportunity to provide comments on the draft OCP Bylaw.

You can participate in person, live by Zoom or phone, or by submitting comments in advance.

The deadline for written comments is Wednesday, May 6, at 1 p.m.Submissions should contain the writer’s name and address, which will become part of the public record.

Learn more about public hearings

In person

Wednesday, May 6, 4 p.m.
Comox Valley Regional District Civic Room
770 Harmston Avenue, Courtenay, B.C.

Live by Zoom webinar

Wednesday, May 6, 4 p.m.
Zoom meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88380385976

Live by phone conference

1-855-703-8985 Toll Free
Meeting ID: 883 8038 5976#

Submit written comments

Email: planning@courtenay.ca
Mail: Development Services
830 Cliffe Avenue
Courtenay B.C. V9N 2J7

Previous engagement sessions

Thank you to everyone who joined our earlier engagement sessions. Video recordings and slides are available below.

Why this update matters

Courtenay Council adopted a new OCP Bylaw No. 3070 on July 25, 2022, after extensive community consultation. In late 2023, the province introduced housing legislation to fast-track housing supply, requiring local governments to plan more proactively. All OCPs in B.C. must meet the new legislated requirements or be updated to do so by December 31, 2025.

Courtenay’s Housing Needs Report shows the city will need about 8,350 more homes by 2041 to house a projected population of 42,415. This update makes sure our policies can handle that growth while reflecting our community’s values.

What the update will do

  • Identify where and how Courtenay can grow in a way that maintains a high quality of life.
  • Expand new housing opportunities through updates to land-use designations and associated policies.
  • Make sure growth is supported by roads, utilities, parks, and other services and amenities.
  • Align the OCP with other City plans so that everything works together.

This update will align Courtenay’s OCP with five- and 20-year housing needs, as required by the province.

To supports this growth, the City is:

  • Looking at opportunities shown in the Complete Community Growth Assessment (CCGA).
  • Checking that our infrastructure can handle future growth.
  • Modelling the costs of growth.
  • Updating the Development Permit Area (DPA) guidelines to allow more housing types — such as small-scale, multi-unit housing — while meeting OCP goals.
  • Continuing to share information and ask for your feedback.

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Nancy Gothard

Manager of Community and Sustainability Planning

planning@courtenay.ca / 250 703 4839

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