Powell River Regional District - Rural Planning

PLANNING DEPARTMENT SERVICES

The Powell River Regional District’s Planning Department serves Electoral Areas A, B, C and D. Planning services are provided to Electoral Area E (Lasqueti Island) by the Islands Trust. The City of Powell River has its own Planning Department.

The Planning Department provides direction to the Regional Board, other government agencies, the development community and the public on a wide range of planning and land use matters.

Planning Department staff are available during regular office hours to assist members of the public and can provide legal plans, application forms and land use information. House numbers are also issued through the Planning Department.

PLANNING BYLAWS

A number of official community plans and zoning bylaws have been adopted for specific areas within the Regional District and are listed below. These documents are provided for information only and should not be used for legal purposes. Copies of adopted official community plans can be purchased at the Regional District office.

Note:  These documents are in PDF format.  To view them, you will need Adobe Acrobat installed.  Adobe Acrobat is free to download – simply click on the link below. Download Adobe Reader

Lund

Savary Island

Savary Island Transportation

South of the City of Powell River

Texada Island

Other Planning Bylaws

Land Use Applications

 

PLANNING DOCUMENTS

Listed below are a variety of planning documents that pertain to different areas of the Regional District. These documents come from a number of different sources. Any document without an available link can be viewed in our office.

Note:  These documents are in PDF format.  To view them, you will need Adobe Acrobat installed.  Adobe Acrobat is free to download – simply click on the link below. Download Adobe Reader

Regional Growth

Savary Island

Malaspina Peninsula/Okeover

Texada Island

Other Planning Documents

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need a building permit to build in the Regional District?

Although the B.C. Building Code applies to all lands within the Province of British Columbia, this Regional District has not adopted a building bylaw to implement building inspection. Therefore, no building permits are required within the Regional District Electoral areas. However, building permits are required within the City of Powell River’s boundaries.

Do I need an electrical permit if building in the Regional District?

Yes, electrical permits are required in this Regional District.  Permits are issued by the Province for the Electoral Areas.

Government Agent
6953 Alberni Street
Powell River, B.C.
V8A 2B8
Phone (604) 485-3622
Fax (604) 485-3627

Do I need a business license to conduct business in the Regional District?

Business Licenses are not required in the electoral areas of the Regional District. However, if you are conducting business within the boundaries of the City of Powell River you are required to have a Business License issued by the City. 

I am building my own home, do I need warranty insurance?

Individuals wanting to build their own home are required by law to obtain an Owner Builder Authorization from the Homeowner Protection Office and to pay a fee, prior to commencing construction of the new home. These requirements are in effect for all areas of British Columbia, regardless of whether building permits are required and are in keeping with amendments to the Homeowner Protection Act and Regulation. For more information regarding the owner builder requirements, please contact the Homeowner Protection Office at 1-800-407-7757 or visit www.hpo.bc.ca

I am building a home for someone else or building to sell. Do I need home warranty insurance?

All residential builders in British Columbia are required by law to be licensed by the Homeowner Protection Office and arrange for third-party home warranty insurance on proposed new homes prior to obtaining a building permit. In geographic areas where building permits are not required for new home construction, licensing and warranty insurance must be in place prior to the commencement of the construction. For more information regarding the licensing and home warranty insurance requirements, please contact the Homeowner Protection Office at 1-800-407-7757 or visit www.hpo.bc.ca.

I think my property may be in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), what does that mean?

There are a number of properties that are located within the ALR in the Regional District. Maps are available in our office to help you determine if your land is part of the Reserve. Subdivision and land use within the ALR is regulated by the Land Commission Act. Answers to questions regarding the ALR are available on the Agriculture Land Commission’s website at alc.gov.bc.ca or by contacting:

Provincial Agricultural Land Commission
Room 133, 4940 Canada Way
Burnaby, B.C.
V5G 4K6
Phone (604) 660-7000
Fax (604) 660-7033

Do I require a health permit for installation of my well or sewer system?

For questions regarding your well or sewer system installation, please contact:

Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
3rd Floor - 5000 Joyce Avenue
Powell River, B.C.
V8A 5R3
Phone (604) 485-3310
Fax (604) 485-3305

Do I need a permit to create driveway access to my property?

Access Permits are required by the Ministry of Transportation for any new driveway or road access off of the highway.  Additionally, access permits may be required for non-residential uses off of Ministry of Transportation roads. For further information, contact:

Ministry of Transportation
6953 Alberni Street
Powell River, B.C.
V8A 2B8
Phone (604) 485-3610
Fax (604) 485-3611

I am putting a residential driveway access off a road other than the highway and as such do not require an access permit.  How do I know if a culvert is required and what size should it be?

Rule of thumb - if the ditch or swale where you intend to install the driveway carries water at any time of the year, you need a culvert.  A Ministry of Transportation representative (contact information above) is available to discuss your specific situation and provide advice and culvert size requirements.

Do I need to worry about how close I build my home to a road right of way?

Yes. The Ministry of Transportation requires specific setbacks for the location of buildings or structures from a dedicated road right of way.  Contact the Ministry of Transportation (contact information above) for specific information on these requirements.

The Regional District has not established setbacks from property lines through zoning.  However, property owners are encouraged to ensure that all buildings and structures are sited wholly within their property boundaries in a manner which ensures that setbacks for wells and septic systems can be accommodated.

Are there setbacks from water courses?

Yes. In order to protect fish bearing streams, the Province has introduced the Riparian Areas Regulation In addition, there are recommended setbacks from the sea and other water courses based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Environment.

Contact the Regional District for details on the setbacks that apply to water courses on or adjacent to your property.

.

Back            Next