In November 2025, the Province enacted Bill 25. To comply, the City is required to update its planning tools, including the Official Community Plan (OCP) and Zoning Bylaw, to:
- Allow up to 6 dwelling units per lot in Frequent Transit Areas (areas within 400m of bus stops on frequent transit service routes).
- Remove minimum on-site parking requirements within Frequent Transit Areas.
- Replace all remaining single-detached and duplex zones with zoning that allows for the development of 3, 4, or 6 units of housing.
At its meeting of May 11, 2026, Council passed a motion to refer the proposed OCP and Zoning Bylaw changes back to staff to incorporate feedback. The meeting minutes and video are available online.
Project History
The new provincial housing legislation (Bill 25) follows updates to the OCP and Zoning Bylaw adopted by Council in June and December of 2025, which brought the City into compliance with earlier provincial requirements (Bill 44) and met the housing need identified in the 2024 Housing Needs Report. This includes the measures proposed in the City’s Growing Livable Neighbourhoods and City Lands strategies. A fulsome update to the OCP is anticipated to start by 2028, subject to Council direction.
Timeline
- Community engagement
February - April 2026
City staff conducted walking tours and information sessions to inform community members about the changes and gather input on heritage character of neighbourhoods. Learn more: letstalk.cnv.org/Bill25Alignment
- OCP Town Hall
April 2026
City staff hosted a town hall to share information and answer questions about the provincial requirements and proposed OCP and Zoning Bylaw changes.
- First reading of bylaw changes
May 11, 2026
Staff presented draft changes to the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw and Council passed a motion to refer the proposed OCP and Zoning Bylaw changes back to staff to incorporate feedback. The meeting minutes and video are available online.