Development Variance Permit Application
A Development Variance Permit is issued to allow a variation of the zoning, sign or subdivision bylaw requirements. It cannot vary the use or density of a development, as set out in the City of Courtenay Zoning Bylaw No. 2500, 2007, or floodplain specifications as determined by the City of Courtenay Floodplain Bylaw No. 1743.

When a Development Variance Permit is required:

A Development Variance Permit is required whenever a variance to the zoning, sign or other bylaw is required.
Variances can also be considered as part of a Development Permit. Planning staff will work with you to determine your requirements.

Application Process:

Please note that these time frames are approximate.
Prior to submitting any application, you are advised to discuss the proposal, including specific application requirements for your project and required fees, with the Planning Division.

  1. The applicant is encouraged to arrange for a pre-application meeting.
  2. After receiving a complete application, the application is reviewed by the Planning Department (2 weeks).
  3. The applicant will conduct a Community Information Meeting.
  4. Referrals are issued to other City departments and external agencies (3 weeks).
  5. Referrals are returned to the applicant for outstanding issues to be addressed (2-4 weeks).
  6. Conditions/requirements that may arise from the Community Information Meeting will be addressed between staff and applicant prior to proceeding to Council.
  7. Staff will mail or otherwise notify adjacent property owners and occupants within 30 m of the subject property of the proposed variance (2 weeks).
  8. The Planning Division prepares a report to Council or the Delegate (2 weeks).
  9. Council or the Delegate considers the application and may issue, table or refuse the permit.
  10. If the application is approved by Council of the Delegate a notice will be placed on the property title referencing the permit issued.

If the permit is issued, it is valid for 24 months.

Before submitting your Application it is important to note the following:

  1. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant;
  2. It is the applicant’s responsibility to be familiar and knowledgeable of all requirements, policies and applicable bylaws
    within the City of Courtenay, and to clearly represent how the application conforms to these requirements, policies and bylaws before the application will be accepted;
  3. The coordinating professional must ensure that the submissions, including all plans are internally consistent. Plans that are not internally consistent will be returned to the coordinating professional with no further review;
  4. Applications that are inactive for a period of 6 months or more may be closed at the discretion of the City

Application

Applicant Information

Owner Information

A letter from the property owner(s) authorizing the agent to operate on their behalf required. It must be signed by the property owner(s). (PDF format, maximum file size of 1.0MB)

Owner

Joint Owner

File size must be under 2.0MB. Only JPG and PDF formats are accepted.

Description of Property

If no Civic Address, please include the Parcel Identifier (PID) located on the Certificate of Title.

Certificate of Title

The Certificate of Title will be pulled and an additional fee will be added to your application.
File size must be under 1.0MB. Only JPG and PDF formats are accepted. Please ensure it's dated no more than 30 days prior to the date of the application.

Project Description

Site & Building Information

(Where applicable)
(Where applicable)

Proposed Variances

Minor Development Variance Permit means a variance to the Zoning Bylaw that meets one or more of the following criteria:
  • 25% for minimum parking space provision for vehicles, loading and bicycles;
  • 25% variance related to parking and loading design standards, such as dimensions, siting and access;
  • 25% variance related to dimensions and siting of garbage and recycling storage facilities;
  • 25% variance for building setbacks, lot frontage and useable open space, and permeable surfaces;
  • 25% variance related to dimensions of patios and decks;
  • 25% variance related to projections into a required setback; and/or
  • 25% variance for lot coverage and building height, provided that the variance does not allow for an increase in density.
If the proposal does not align with any of the above criteria, then it will be considered a Major Development Variance Permit.
Click the '+' to add a proposed variance.

Confirmations

K’ómoks First Nation (KFN) has enacted a Cultural Heritage Investigation Permit (CHIP), which is required for development works within a certain proximity of watercourses and all areas having a high archeological potential. Where applicable, staff and Council advise applicants to contact KFN directly to learn if a CHIP is required. The CHIP is administered by KFN. For more information contact the KFN administrative office at 250-339-4545 extension 112, or visit https://komoks.ca/department/lands-program/.
Where applicable, staff and Council encourage applicants to work with the Comox Valley Conservation Partnership (referrals@cvlandtrust.ca) early in the design stages of a project to obtain valuable feedback on design options that could help mitigate, improve or adapt to environmental conditions of the development site.
Information we collect and why we collect it.

The City of Courtenay is collecting personal information in accordance with Section 26 (c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The personal information collected in this form (name, contact information, etc.) will be used for the purpose of administering the Development Variance Permit Application. Questions about the collection, use, and disclosure of this information can be directed to the City’s Privacy Officer at City Hall, 830 Cliffe Avenue Courtenay, BC V9N 2J7. Phone: 250-334-4441 email: info@courtenay.ca



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