If your project doesn't meet the requirements set out in the Village's bylaws, you may need to apply for an amendment or variance before applying for a building permit. These are all types of development applications:
Check the bylaws
Development in the Village of Lytton is subject to building permit application requirements and the following Village bylaws, depending on the project:
- Building Bylaw
- Zoning Bylaw
- Official Community Plan Bylaw
- Subdivision Bylaw
- Sign Bylaw
How to apply
The Development Approval Procedures Bylaw outlines the procedures and requirements for development applications.
Application basics
- Contact the Planning team to discuss your proposal.
- Download and complete the Development Application Form.
- Complete the Owner Authorization Form if you are the registered owner of the property.
- Pay the Development Application Fee.
Use these checklists
- Basic Development Application Checklist for single and two-unit residential development
- Complex Development Application Checklist for commercial, industrial, or multi-unit residential development
Questions
For questions about development applications, contact the Planning team:
planning@lytton.ca
778-254-2487
Official Community Plan or Zoning Amendment
These two types of amendments allow for a change to the zoning or Official Community Plan (OCP) land use designation on a specific property. If approved, a Zoning or OCP Amendment will be effective on the property indefinitely.
Official Community Plan (OCP) Amendment
If your development plans do not match the intended land use for that property in the Official Community Plan, an Official Community Plan (OCP) Amendment application is required.
For example, if you would like to build multi-family dwellings on a property designated as low-density residential, an OCP Amendment application would be needed to allow high-density residential development.
Zoning Amendment
A Zoning Amendment (also called rezoning) is required if you would like to develop a property with a land use that is not permitted in the current zoning of the property.
For example, if you would like to construct multi-family dwellings on a property that is zoned for single-family or two-family dwellings, a Zoning Amendment application would be required to change the zoning on the property to allow multi-family dwellings.
Note
Before you apply for an OCP or Zoning Amendment:
- Discuss the proposal in detail with the Planning team.
- Weigh the potential impact of the change on the community, and talk to your neighbours.
The processing time for an application is generally 3 to 6 months from submission until the final decision from staff or Council.
Development Variance Permit
A Development Variance Permit (DVP) is a permit required to vary regulations in a development bylaw (like the Zoning Bylaw, Subdivision Bylaw, or Sign Bylaw).
- A property owner may apply for DVP to vary building setbacks, height, or parking, or other requirements.
- A DVP cannot be used to change the uses permitted on a property or the density of the development. To do this, you need to apply for a Zoning Bylaw Amendment.
Note
Before you apply for a Development Variance Permit:
- Discuss the proposed variance with the Planning staff.
- Consider the potential impact of the proposed variance on the community.
- Explore alternative design options that eliminate the need for a variance.
Development Permit
Certain lands are designated as Development Permit Areas in the Village's Official Community Plan.
If your property is within a designated Development Permit Area, you need to get a Development Permit before:
- Altering land
- Constructing or altering buildings or structures
- Subdividing
A Development Permit may specify requirements about the following:
- Character of development, including landscaping
- Siting, form, exterior design, and finish of buildings and structures
- Protection from hazardous conditions
- Environmental protection
Voluntary Development Permit applications
Development Permit requirements were suspended following the 2021 fire to allow Council and the community to:
- Re-establish Development Permit Area mapping
- Reconsider the current guidelines and ongoing relevancy
- Develop appropriate policy direction
Learn more about this work, which is currently in progress.
A voluntary Development Permit is requested for all new commercial and multi-residential developments.
Temporary Use Permits
Certain lands are designated as Temporary Use Permit Areas in the Village’s Official Community Plan.
The Village suspended Temporary Use Permit requirements after the 2021 fire to allow Council and the community to consider options going forward. To continue to make use of this land use tool during rebuilding, the Village is now accepting Temporary Use Permit applications, but considering them as if the entire Village is designated as a Temporary Use Permit Area.
Benefits
A Temporary Use Permit (TUP) gives a landowner the ability to address a short-term need or to monitor the success of a use before committing to long-term investment and an Official Community Plan or zoning amendment.
TUPs may be issued to:
- Allow a use not permitted by a zoning bylaw for a limited time;
- Specify conditions under which the TUP may be carried on; and
- Allow and regulate the construction of buildings or structures for uses allowed by the permit.
Board of Variance
A Board of Variance is an independent body appointed by Council, which considers requests for minor variances to the Zoning Bylaw related to the siting, size and dimensions of buildings.
The Board has the authority to grant variances in situations where compliance with the Zoning Bylaw would cause a person undue hardship. The term "undue hardship" limits the Board to considering only hardships that result from aspects of the site, rather than those that are personal or generated by the owner.
The Village of Lytton does not currently have a Board of Variance appointed.