In 2023, the Province of B.C. changed the Local Government Act, requiring local governments to review their Official Community Plans (OCPs) and zoning bylaws to meet projected housing needs over the next 20 years.

Courtenay's Housing Needs Report, published in December 2024, identified a need for 8,350 new housing units by 2041. To support this, the City must update its OCP and Zoning Bylaw No. 2500, 2007 by December 31, 2025.

The zoning bylaw regulates how land, buildings and other structures can be used. It supports the City's long-term vision as outlined in the OCP and Regional Growth Strategy.

While the OCP sets high-level goals for land use and development, the zoning bylaw provides detailed rules for what can be built and where.

Zoning bylaws must align with the OCP to make sure future development reflects community goals. If a bylaw is too restrictive or unclear, it can delay projects and create confusion for both staff and applicants.

The zoning bylaw update will:

• Meet provincial housing requirements for the next 20 years.
• Align with updated housing policies in the new OCP.
• Fix minor errors in the current bylaw, such as missing definitions.

Because the zoning bylaw is directly connected to the OCP, public input will be gathered through the OCP engagement process.

In addition, a public hearing on the draft zoning amendments will be held before Council. The date for the public hearing has not yet been set, but is expected to take place in the fall and will be advertised in advance.