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

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.