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Zoning

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Metro Vancouver has zoning regulations in place for all Electoral Area A communities except:

Contact Metro Vancouver before initiating any building project to understand what rules and permit requirements may apply.

 

 

Height proposed amendmentsHeight proposed amendments<div class="ExternalClassF23166CFF97C478C9DF292C3A8C39D48"><p>​​The proposed zoning bylaw amendment would increase the maximum height of principal buildings to 11 m, as shown in the table below. The provincial policy manual recommends increasing permitted building heights to 11 m to help maintain open or permeable space on the lot and accommodate the units within the required distances from property lines and/or between buildings for compliance with the BC Building Code.​<br></p><div class="uk-overflow-auto">​​​​ ​ ​​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ <table class="uk-table uk-table-small uk-table-divider mv-border-yellow mv-table-heading-yellow mv-table-border uk-table-striped"><thead><tr><th>Residential Zone</th><th>​​Current Principal Building Maximum Height</th><th>Proposed Principal Building Maximum Height</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>​​Small Holding Rural (A-1)</td><td>​​8.5 m</td><td>​​11 m</td></tr><tr><td>Extensive Rural and Recreation (A-2)</td><td>8.5 m</td><td>​​​11 m</td></tr><tr><td>Cottage Residential (RS-1)</td><td>​​7.5 m</td><td>11 m</td></tr><tr><td>Ocean Point Residential (RS-2)</td><td>​​10 m</td><td>11 m</td></tr><tr><td>Strachan Point Residential (RS-3)</td><td>10 m</td><td>​​11 m</td></tr><tr><td>Montizambert Residential (RS-4)</td><td>10 m</td><td>​​11 m</td></tr><tr><td>Barnston Island (BI-1)1</td><td>10 m</td><td>​​11 m</td></tr></tbody></table></div><p>1 Only for residential buildings: the allowable maximum height of agricultural buildings (15 m) would not change.​<br></p></div>
Barnston Island (BI-1) zone proposed amendmentsBarnston Island (BI-1) zone proposed amendments<div class="ExternalClass24EBB217D6D542F3A53595F4B00C19E2"><p>In addition to setback and height relaxations, the <a href="/boards/Bylaws/MVRD_Bylaw_1144-Consolidated.pdf#page=46" target="_blank">Barnston Island (BI-1) Zone​</a> would be simplified by deleting Section 321(5) – Other Regulations Pertaining to Farming Uses. Private properties in this zone that are in the Agricultural Land Reserve would continue to be subject to those rules. ​​<br></p></div>
Setback proposed amendmentsSetback proposed amendments<div class="ExternalClass3E27FE7DBDA7427388F4FB9672295702">​ <div class="ExternalClass8A0783C0A9394219A6A9704E9342E131"><div class="uk-overflow-auto">​​​​ ​ ​​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ <table class="uk-table uk-table-small uk-table-divider mv-border-yellow mv-table-heading-yellow mv-table-border uk-table-striped"><thead><tr><th>Residential Zone</th><th colspan="2">​​Principal Building Setbacks</th><th colspan="2">Accessory Buildings and Structures</th></tr><tr><th></th><th>​​Current</th><th>Proposed</th><th>Current</th><th>Proposed</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><th colspan="5" style="text-align:left;">​​Small Holding Rural (A-1)<br></th></tr><tr><td>Front Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​7.5 m</td><td>​​4.5 m</td><td>7.5 m</td><td>​​4.5 m</td></tr><tr><td>Rear Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​7.5 m</td><td>​​3.0 m</td><td>3.0 m</td><td>​​3.0 m</td></tr><tr><td>Exterior Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​3.0 m</td><td>​​3.0 m</td><td>3.0 m</td><td>​​3.0 m</td></tr><tr><td>Interior Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​1.5 m​<br></td><td>​​1.5 m</td><td>3.0 m</td><td>​​1.5 m</td></tr><tr><th colspan="5" style="text-align:left;">​​Extensive Rural and Recreation (A-2)<br></th></tr><tr></tr><tr><td>Front Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​7.5 m</td><td>​​4.5 m</td><td>7.5 m</td><td>​​5.0 m</td></tr><tr><td>Rear Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​7.5 m</td><td>​​3.0 m</td><td>3.0 m</td><td>​​3.0 m</td></tr><tr><td>Exterior Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​3.0 m</td><td>​​3.0 m</td><td>3.0 m</td><td>​​3.0 m</td></tr><tr><td>Interior Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​1.5 m</td><td>​​1.5 m</td><td>3.0 m</td><td>​​1.5 m</td></tr><tr><th colspan="5" style="text-align:left;">Cottage Residential (RS-1)</th></tr><tr></tr><tr><td>​​Front Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​7.5 m</td><td>​​1.5 m</td><td>3.0 m</td><td>​​1.5 m</td></tr><tr><td>Rear Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​7.5 m</td><td>​​1.5 m</td><td>3.0 m</td><td>​​1.5 m</td></tr><tr><td>Exterior Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​3.0 m</td><td>​​1.5 m</td><td>3.0 m</td><td>​​1.5 m</td></tr><tr><td>Interior Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​1.5 m</td><td>​​1.5 m</td><td>1.5​​ m</td><td>​​1.5 m</td></tr><tr><th colspan="5" style="text-align:left;">Ocean Point Residential (RS-2)</th></tr><tr></tr><tr><td>Front Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​7.5 m - 4.5 m</td><td>​​4.5 m</td><td>7.5 m</td><td>​​4.5 m</td></tr><tr><td>Rear Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​4.5 m</td><td>​​4.5 m</td><td>​4.5 m</td><td>​​4.5 m</td></tr><tr><td>Exterior Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​3.0 m</td><td>​​3.0 m</td><td>3.0 m</td><td>​​3.0 m</td></tr><tr><td>Interior Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​1.5 m</td><td>​​1.5 m</td><td>1.5 m</td><td>​​1.5 m</td></tr><tr><th colspan="5" style="text-align:left;">Strachan Point Residential (RS-3)</th></tr><tr></tr><tr><td colspan="5">Front and Rear Lot Line Setbacks: <ul><li>Proposed reductions to setbacks from front and rear lot lines and easements will be discussed with Strachan Point residents at a community meeting scheduled for September 3, 2024.</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>​Exterior Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​3.0 m</td><td>​​3.0 m</td><td>3.0 m</td><td>​​3.0 m</td></tr><tr><td>Interior Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​1.5 m</td><td>​​1.5 m</td><td>1.5 m</td><td>​​1.5 m</td></tr><tr><th colspan="5" style="text-align:left;">Montizambert Residential (RS-4)</th></tr><tr></tr><tr><td colspan="5">Front and Rear Lot Line Setbacks: <ul><li>Proposed: remove references to easements in the zoning bylaw, thereby reducing the setbacks from the access easements considered the front to 0 m. Setbacks from the sea (rear) would continue to be subject to existing zoning bylaw setbacks from watercourses.</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>​Exterior Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​3.0 m</td><td>​​3.0 m</td><td>3.0 m</td><td>​​3.0 m</td></tr><tr><td>Interior Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​1.5 m</td><td>​​1.5 m</td><td>1.5 m</td><td>​​1.5 m</td></tr><tr><th colspan="5" style="text-align:left;">​​Barnston Island (BI-1)1, 2</th></tr><tr></tr><tr><td>Front Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​6.0 m</td><td>​​4.5 m</td><td>7.5 m</td><td>​​4.5 m</td></tr><tr><td>Rear Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​6.0 m</td><td>​​3.0 m</td><td>3.0 m</td><td>​​3.0 m</td></tr><tr><td>Exterior Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​6.0 m</td><td>​​3.0 m</td><td>3.0 m</td><td>​​3.0 m</td></tr><tr><td>Interior Lot Line Setback</td><td>​​6.0 m</td><td>​​1.5 m</td><td>3.0 m</td><td>​​1.5 m</td></tr></tbody></table></div><p>1 ​Principal buildings include single residential dwelling - principal and - accessory in the Barnston Island Zone.</p><p>2 Other setbacks currently listed in the zone are proposed to be deleted. ALR setbacks and rules would still apply.</p></div></div>

 Bylaw

 

 

Electoral Area Consolidated Zoning Bylawhttps://metrovancouver.org/boards/Bylaws/MVRD_Bylaw_1144_Consolidated.pdf, Electoral Area Consolidated Zoning BylawElectoral Area Consolidated Zoning Bylaw

 Maps

 

 

Map 1 Overall Electoral Areahttps://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/Documents/electoral-area-a-map-overall.pdf, Map 1 Overall Electoral AreaMap 1 Overall Electoral Area
Map 2 North of Lions Bayhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/Documents/electoral-area-a-map-lions-bay-north.pdf, Map 2 North of Lions BayMap 2 North of Lions Bay
Map 3 Howe Sound Southhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/Documents/electoral-area-a-map-howe-sound-south.pdf, Map 3 Howe Sound SouthMap 3 Howe Sound South
Map 4 Indian Arm Northhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/Documents/ea-map4-indianarmnorth.pdf, Map 4 Indian Arm NorthMap 4 Indian Arm North
Map 5 Indian Arm Southhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/Documents/electoral-area-a-map-indian-arm-south.pdf, Map 5 Indian Arm SouthMap 5 Indian Arm South
Map 6 Pitt Lake Northhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/Documents/electoral-area-a-map-pitt-lake-north.pdf, Map 6 Pitt Lake NorthMap 6 Pitt Lake North
Map 7 Pitt Lake Southhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/Documents/electoral-area-a-map-pitt-lake-south.pdf, Map 7 Pitt Lake SouthMap 7 Pitt Lake South
Map 8 Ocean Pointhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/Documents/electoral-area-a-map-ocean-point.pdf, Map 8 Ocean PointMap 8 Ocean Point
Map 9 Strachan Pointhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/Documents/electoral-area-a-map-strachan-point.pdf, Map 9 Strachan PointMap 9 Strachan Point
Map 10 Montizambert Wyndhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/Documents/electoral-area-a-map-montizambert-wynd.pdf, Map 10 Montizambert WyndMap 10 Montizambert Wynd
Map 11 Widgeon Creekhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/Documents/electoral-area-a-map-widgeon-creek.pdf, Map 11 Widgeon CreekMap 11 Widgeon Creek
Map 12 Barnston Islandhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/Documents/electoral-area-a-map-barnston-island.pdf, Map 12 Barnston IslandMap 12 Barnston Island

 Policies

 

 

Electoral Area A Bylaw Enforcement Policyhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/Documents/electoral-area-a-bylaw-enforcement-policy.pdf, Electoral Area A Bylaw Enforcement PolicyElectoral Area A Bylaw Enforcement Policy
Electoral Area A Potable Water Policyhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/Documents/electoral-area-a-potable-water-policy.pdf, Electoral Area A Potable Water PolicyElectoral Area A Potable Water Policy

 Variances

 

 

A Guide to Metro Vancouver Board of Variancehttps://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/Documents/guide-to-metro-vancouver-board-of-variance.pdf, A Guide to Metro Vancouver Board of VarianceA Guide to Metro Vancouver Board of Variance
Board of Variance Application Formhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/Documents/board-of-variance-application.pdf, Board of Variance Application FormBoard of Variance Application Form
Development Application - Development Variance and Zoning Amendments Formhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/Documents/development-application-variance-zoning-amendment-form.pdf, Development application - Development Variance and Zoning Amendments FormDevelopment Application - Development Variance and Zoning Amendments Form
Zoning Variances – Board of Variance OR a Development Variance Permithttps://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/Documents/zoning-variances-board-of-variance-development-variance-permit.pdf, Zoning Variances – Board of Variance OR a Development Variance PermitZoning Variances – Board of Variance OR a Development Variance Permit

 Related links

 

 

About Electoral Area Ahttps://metrovancouver.org/services/electoral-area-a/about-electoral-area-a, About Electoral Area AAbout Electoral Area A
Building Permitshttps://metrovancouver.org/services/electoral-area-a/building-permits, Building PermitsBuilding Permits
Electoral Area A Property Map Viewerhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/electoral-area-a/property-map-viewer, Electoral Area A Property Map ViewerElectoral Area A Property Map Viewer
Resourceshttps://metrovancouver.org/services/electoral-area-a/resources, ResourcesResources
Contactshttps://metrovancouver.org/services/electoral-area-a/contacts, ContactsContacts
Electoral Area A Mailing Listhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/electoral-area-a/electoral-area-a-mailing-list, Electoral Area A Mailing ListElectoral Area A Mailing List

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