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WCEL
> Issues > Urban Growth and
Development > Smart Bylaws Guide > Part
6 > Use Site Resources Wisely > Development
Permit Areas
Smart Bylaws Guide – Use Site Resources Wisely – Development
Permit Areas
Development permits (DPs) are one of
the strongest tools for shaping new development to ensure that the
environment is protected. DP's allow addtional guidelines to be
placed on development over and above basic zoning. A municipality
may designate development permit areas (DPA) in which new
development will be required to conform to development permit
guidelines. A permit must be approved before a private land owner
may subdivide, alter land, or construct or alter a building in a
DPA.
Municipalities may designate DPAs in
an official community plan (OCP) or zoning bylaw for a range of
purposes, including protection of the natural environment, its
ecosystems and biological diversity. When a DPA is designated,
the municipality must describe the special site conditions or
objectives that justify the designation, and specify guidelines to
achieve those objectives. When an owner applies to the local
government for a development permit to alter the site, the
guidelines in the OCP will direct what conditions, if any, are place
on the development.
DPs that are designated to protect
the natural environment may do one or more of the following:
- specify areas of land that must remain free of development,
except in accordance with any conditions contained in the
permit;
- require specified natural features or areas to be preserved,
protected, restored or enhanced in accordance with the permit;
- require natural water courses to be dedicated;
- require works to be constructed to preserve, protect, restore
or enhance natural water courses or other specified natural
features of the environment;
- require protection measures, including that vegetation or
trees be planted or retained in order to protect, restore or
enhance riparian areas, control drainage or control erosion.
Development Approval Information
Councils may create Development
Information Areas in which development may not proceed until
information about impacts to the natural environment where a
development information area or other circumstances has been
provided. This additional information can be required where
the activity involves a rezoning, development permit or temporary
commercial or industrial use permit.
Examples of Development Permit Areas & Guidelines
For More Information
Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services, Development
and Temporary Use Permit Areas (Using the Local Government Act
Bulletin, October 2000).
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