The City of Courtenay Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 3070, 2022 (OCP) is a statement of broad objectives and policies regarding the form, character and density of existing and future land use servicing requirements, and for the City of Courtenay. The OCP sets the direction for where future commercial, recreation, institutional and residential uses will be located, and determines the use and density of land in the City of Courtenay.

For further information, click to view the Official Community Plan.

The City of Courtenay is divided into designated land use categories or zones, pursuant to the City of Courtenay Zoning Bylaw No 2500, 2007. The zoning bylaw sets out the regulations for development in the City, including specifications for use, lot size, setbacks, and building height.

For further information, click to view the Zoning Bylaw.

When an OCP or Zoning Amendment is required

• An OCP amendment is required when a proposed land use is not consistent with the land use designations of the OCP. 
• A zoning amendment is required when a proposed land use is not permitted under the current zoning for a property.
• Where the use is also inconsistent with the OCP land use designation the OCP and zoning amendment can be processed concurrently.

Application Process
OCP and Zoning Amendments are considered by Council. For most applications, the process is as follows (please note that time frames are approximate).
Prior to submitting an application, you are advised to discuss the proposal including specific application requirements for your project and required fees with the Planning Department.

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 (2-4 weeks)
3. The applicant may 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. The Planning Department prepares a report and amending bylaw for Council (2 weeks)
8. If a Phased Development Agreement is required the delegate will work with the applicant to draft and process the agreement and bylaw in accordance with schedule A of the Development Procedure Bylaw No. 3106, 2023.
9. The application is considered by Council (where a public hearing is not held.) First, second and third readings of the bylaw may take place.
10. A public hearing may be set and the Planning Division notifies all owners and occupants within 100 m radius of the subject property (2-4 weeks). Third reading of the bylaw may be considered following the public hearing
11. Planning staff will work with applicant for the preparation of any required covenants, statutory rights of way, phased development agreements, or development agreements (all legal fees incurred by the City shall be reimbursed by the applicant)
12. At a subsequent Council meeting final reading of the bylaw is considered
13. If the amendment is adopted, it takes place immediately. If it is refused, no substantially similar application will be considered by the Council for 12 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. The applicant must 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 all submitted materials, including plans, are clear, accurate, and do not contain conflicting information. Submissions with discrepancies or contradictions will be returned to the coordinating professional without further review;
4. Applications that are inactive for a period of 6 months or more may be closed at the discretion of the City.
5. The City may distribute and publicize a report containing development approval information pertaining to this application. 

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.