Development

The following is provided as a brief outline of the main bylaws and standards that apply to Commercial and Multi-family development applications in North Cowichan. This information does not cover the subdivision or strata title process; information related to these processes is available from the Planning Department. Please note that this outline is provided as a preliminary guide only; actual development details should be discussed with North Cowichan Municipal Staff and will be reviewed in detail at the time of Building Permit (and Development Permit, if applicable). Approval from other agencies (i.e. Ministry of Transportation and Highways, Ministry of Environment, Public Health, etc.) may be required for some projects and each should be contacted directly for their comments. Copies of the bylaws noted below are available upon request.

Onsite Requirements:

Zoning:

Zoning Bylaw No. 2950

  • Land Use

  • Site Layout (setbacks, site coverage, density, etc.)

  • Parking Requirements *

  • Flood Level Requirements

  • Landscaping, Buffers, etc.

* Also see Bylaw No. 2838 for additional details regarding parking requirements in Chemainus

Development Permits:

  • Required in certain areas prior to issuance of building permit

  • Covered under Official Community Plan

  • Contact the Planning Department regarding location of Development Permit Areas

  • Development Permit requirements are reviewed by Technical Planning Committee with recommendations directed to Council for approval

Development Cost Charges:

Development Cost Charges Bylaw No. 3460

Building Permits:

Building Bylaw No. 3172

  • Building and servicing requirements as per the BC Building Code and BC Plumbing Code.

  • Permit & Inspection requirements and fees.

 

Enquiries:

Bruce L. Oliphant - Chief Building Inspector

Site Servicing Standards:

In accordance with Municipal Policy, established August 14, 1991, and as per the Building Bylaw, the following is required for all multi-family, commercial and industrial building permit applications:

  1. Preliminary plan(s) showing siting, parking, landscaping, access and schematic servicing shall be submitted to the Building Department for review by the Municipal Engineer, Municipal Planner and Fire Protection Officer, prior to consideration of detailed site servicing design.

  2. Site Servicing plan(s) prepared and certified by a Professional Engineer shall be submitted to the Building Department for review by the Director of Engineering and Operations.

  3. As-built drawings prepared and certified by a Professional Engineer shall be submitted to the Municipality prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit.

Site services, access and parking subject to review and inspection by the Engineering Department.

Fire protection requirements (access, hydrants, etc.) subject to review by Local Assistant Fire Commissioner.

Contact the Engineering Department for specific design requirements.

 

Enquiries:

Dave Conway - Manager of Engineering (Development & Capital Projects)
Rob Clark - Local Assistant Fire Commissioner

Offsite Requirements:

Works and Services:

Works and Services Bylaw No. 2275

  • Governs offsite works and services which may be required as a condition of Building Permit to conform to Service Level requirements.

  • Service Levels are shown on plans which may be viewed at the Engineering and Planning Departments.

Service Level Requirements:

Summary - also see Bylaw No. 1851

  • Service Level 1: paved roads, storm drains, sanitary sewers, concrete sidewalks, concrete curbs and gutters, watermains and hydrants, lot connections.

  • Service Level 2: paved roads, storm drains, sanitary sewers, concrete sidewalks (on one side of the road), concrete curbs and gutters, watermains and hydrants, lot connections.

  • Service Level 3: paved roads, watermains and hydrants, storm drains and concrete curbs and gutters, lot connections, private percolation sites for sewage disposal.

  • Service Level 4: paved roads, ditching and driveway culverts, additional drainage where required by Municipal Engineer, private wells, private percolation sites for sewage disposal.

Offsite Construction:

  • Required offsite water, sewer and storm drainage works are usually installed by the Municipality at the developer's expense. Cost estimates can be provided upon request.

Other offsite works and services are to be installed as per the following:

  1. All works and services required must be installed at the developer's expense to Municipal specifications by a qualified contractor.

  2. A Professional Engineer must submit design drawings for approval, supervise construction and submit certified as-built drawings. Design standard shall be in accordance with Municipal engineering standards. (Download Engineering Standards manual - PDF 16.5MB)

  3. A performance bond, equal to 125% of the estimated construction cost is required to guarantee completion of works. This bond must be posted with the Municipality prior to the issuance of the Building Permit.

  4. Prior to undertaking the offsite construction, the contractor must obtain a "Highway Construction Permit" from the Municipality at a cost of $100.

  5. Completion of all works and services includes a one-year maintenance agreement with bonding at 10% of the construction cost.

  6. All bonding will either be in the form of a cash deposit, certified cheque or Letter of Credit which is extended automatically at the expiry date unless notification from the Municipality of North Cowichan is received that the bond can be cancelled.

  7. Specific conditions as determined by the Municipal Engineer may apply to particular projects. The developer is also responsible for obtaining approvals from other authorities and agencies as may be required.

Cash bonding in lieu of construction of offsite works and services may be required in some circumstances.

Specific details regarding offsite requirements and costs to be discussed with the Engineering Department.

 

Enquiries:

Dave Conway - Manager of Engineering (Development & Capital Projects)