ALC Applications

If your parcel(s) are within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), approval from the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) is generally needed prior to the adoption of an Official Community Plan amendment, Zoning Bylaw amendment, or permit.

There are different types of applications that can be submitted to the ALC such as:

• Non-Adhering Residential Use
• Non-Farm Use
• Subdivision
• Inclusion
• Transportation, Utility, and Recreational Trail Use
• Soil Use for Placement of Fill or Removal of Soil
• Exclusion*

What Steps are Involved in the Exclusion Process?

*Please note that as of 2020, private landowners are no longer able to make an application for exclusion from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). Only provincial, local, or First Nation governments or prescribed public bodies may make such applications.

It is strongly recommended that you gather as much information regarding their property as possible (e.g., legal description and survey, certificate of title) and meet with Village Staff to discuss the proposed exclusion being sought. Village Staff will offer advice on which application/s need to be completed, necessary information that will be required, and will provide the property owner with the most current application package.

What Should I Consider Before Applying to the Agricultural Land Commission?

Generally, before you start an application to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC), it is recommended that you consider the following steps:

• Determine which type of application you want to submit
• Review the Application Instructions and learn about the Required Documents
• Learn about what the Commission Considers in making a decision
• Search for Previous Decisions in your general area and/or with similar proposals
• Contact your local government to find out about bylaws, Official Community Plan designations, and other policies applicable to your proposal
• Create a Basic or Business BCeID in order to log into the ALC Application Portal
• Collect all of the necessary documents to submit your application

• What is a Building Permit?

  Building permits are required when creating, changing, altering or adding to structures. The Village of Pouce Coupe issues building permits and conducts inspections in an effort to ensure that buildings are constructed, and facilities are installed in accordance with BC Building Code and regulations.

  When is a Building Permit Necessary?

  A building permit is required for all new construction, repair, reconstruction or alteration, addition, removal of a portion of a structure, installing heating appliances such as wood stove, installation of a manufactured home and demolition of a structure. A building permit is required for a shed larger than 107 sq. ft.

  A building permit is not required for painting, landscaping, new roof installation, new fencing (as long as the height complies with the Village Zoning Bylaw) or interior house renovations such as kitchen, bathroom, window and door replacements.

  What Steps are Involved?

  Note:

  The process described here briefly involves more detailed procedures, correspondence and/or requirements. Please contact the Village of Pouce Coupe to ensure all obligations are understood in order to expedite the approval process.

  1. Visit the Village Office to discuss your intended building permit with Village staff. Staff will let you know which documents, plans, reports, studies, and fees you will need to include in your application.
  2. Submit a completed Application Form to the Village of Pouce Coupe and pay the Application Fee.
  3. Village staff and the Building Inspector will complete a technical review of the application
  4. The applicant pays fees determined by the Building Inspector
  5. Once fees are paid, permit is issued.

  Link to Building Permit Page

• Development Variance Permit

  Property owners may seek Development Variance Permits (DVPs) to seek an adjustment from specific requirements or provisions of the Village’s Zoning Bylaw, Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw and Sign Regulation Bylaw. Development Variance Permits cannot be used to change or modify the use or density of a property.

  Development Variance Permits are approved through a Council resolution, registered against the title of the property and may be processed concurrently with rezoning, subdivision and development permit applications.

  When is a Development Variance Permit necessary?

  They are most commonly acquired for:

  • Varying a maximum building height
  • Varying minimum setbacks from a property line
  • Reducing the off-street parking requirements of a development

  What steps are involved?

  1. Set up an appointment with the Village Staff to discuss the need for a Development Variance Permit application. Staff will advise you on which documents, plans, reports, studies, and fees you will need to include in your application.
  2. Submit a completed Development Variance Permit Application Form to the Village of Pouce Coupe.
  3. Pay the Application Fee.
  4. Village Staff will complete a technical review of the application and submit a draft permit and recommendation to Council for consideration. Council will either approve or deny the application. If denied, the applicant must wait six months to reapply.
  5. If approved, Village staff will notify the applicant, neighbouring properties, and relevant agencies of the proposed permit.
  6. Staff will prepare a report and recommendation, for Council’s final approval, based on the staff review as well as the neighbouring property and agency input.
  7. If approved, a permit will be awarded. If denied, the applicant must wait six months to re-apply.

   

Official Community Plan Amendment

Official Community Plans (OCPs) are legally required bylaws that set the long-term vision for future growth and development of a community. This includes identifying the future uses of lands within the Village boundaries by classifying all lands with Land Use Designations. Future rezonings and other development applications must be consistent with the OCP Land Use Designations.

When is an Official Community Plan Amendment necessary?

The majority of Official Community Plan amendment applications seek to change the Land Use Designation of a property to accommodate a needed rezoning. When a proposed rezoning is not consistent with the land use designation of the Official Community Plan, an application must be made to change the land use designation of the property. This enables proposed rezonings to be consistent with the direction set forth in the OCP. In many instances, Official Community Plan amendment applications run concurrently with Zoning Bylaw amendment (rezoning) applications.

The Official Community Plan amendment application process is summarized below.

What steps are involved?

1. Set up an appointment with the Village Staff to discuss the Official Community Plan amendment you are seeking. Staff will advise you on which documents, plans, reports, studies, and fees you will need to include in your application.
2. Submit a completed Official Community Plan Amendment Application Form to the Village of Pouce Coupe.
3. Pay the Application Fee.
4. Village Staff will complete a technical review of the application and submit a draft Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw and recommendation for Council’s consideration for first and second reading. Council will either approve or deny the application. If approved, Village staff will proceed with the amendment process. If denied, the applicant must wait six months to reapply.
5. If approved, Village staff will notify the applicant, refer the Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw to external agencies for comment, and schedule the public hearing date.
6. A public hearing will be held to allow the public opportunity to provide comment. It is highly recommended that the applicant attend the meeting in order to answer any potential questions from Council.
7. Staff will prepare a report and recommendation, for Council’s final approval, based on staff review as well as public and agency input. A final draft of the Amendment Bylaw will be put forward for Council’s consideration.
8. Following the public hearing, Council will consider adopting the amendment bylaw. If adopted, the Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw is officially approved and the applicant can proceed with the next steps in their development process. If denied, the applicant must wait six months to re-apply.

• Subdivision

  In general terms, the purpose of subdivision is to divide a single parcel of land into 2 or more parcels for the intent of creating additional properties. This includes fee-simple subdivision and bare land strata subdivision. Bare land strata subdivision is subdivision to create strata lots within one parcel of land where owners have joint ownership over the common lands and individual ownership of strata lots.

  Subdivision can be as simple as adjusting a lot line with your neighbour or creating many new parcels from a large ‘parent parcel’. The Village recognizes that some subdivisions are relatively simple, while others are more complex and require significant time and resources to assess. To address this, the Village has created two classes of subdivision with individual steps for each class. This ensures that more simple subdivision applications receive an expedited assessment process, while more complex subdivision applications undergo a more detailed assessment process.

   - Class 1 Subdivision (Minor Subdivision)-

  Subdivision within the R1, R2, or R3 Zones:

  • Creates no more than three parcels;
  • All parcels must be located adjacent to and front on to an existing road maintained by the Village;
  • No parcels can be land-locked after subdivision.

   - Class 2 Subdivision (Major Subdivision) -

  • All subdivision within the Village that do not meet the requirements of a Class 1 Subdivision.
  • Includes all bare land strata subdivision applications.

  When is a Rezoning Application required with my Subdivision Application?

  Rezoning is the process of changing the zoning classification of a property. Every property in the Village of Pouce Coupe has a Zone assigned to it that stipulates the minimum parcel size, required frontage and other provisions required for a new subdivided parcel. Sometimes a proposed subdivision does not conform to the zoning requirements that exist for a parcel. In these instances, the subdivision applicant will need to apply for a rezoning to change the zoning classification for the property. This requires a separate process that must be approved by Council.

  What steps are involved for a Class 1 or 2 Subdivision Application?

  1. Set up an appointment with the Village Staff to discuss the type of subdivision you are seeking to create. Staff will let you know which application process you will have to follow and the documents, plans, reports, studies, and fees you will need to include in your application.
  2. Submit a completed Class 1 Subdivision Application or a Class 2 Subdivision Application to the Village of Pouce Coupe.
  3. Pay the Application Fee.
  4. Work with Village staff and follow the approval process required for your application category.

Temporary Use Permit

The Village of Pouce Coupe may, through either the Zoning Bylaw or Official Community Plan (OCP), designate areas where temporary uses may be allowed and the general conditions regarding the issuance of temporary use permits in those areas. Temporary use permits may be issued by the Village through a Council resolution to do one or more of the following:

• Allow a use on a parcel not permitted by the Village’s Zoning Bylaw;
• Specify conditions under which the temporary use may be carried on;
• Allow and regulate the construction of buildings or structures with respect to the use for which the permit is issued.

Temporary Use permits may last up to three years and be renewed only one time.

When is a Temporary Use Permit Necessary?

Temporary use permits are necessary when a proposed land use is temporary in nature and not permitted under the existing zoning regulations given for a specific parcel. Rather than seek a rezoning to change the zoning of a parcel, temporary use permits enable non-conforming temporary uses of a parcel.

The application process is summarized below.

What steps are involved?

1. Visit the Village Office and discuss your intended temporary use with staff. Staff will let you know which documents, plans, reports, studies, and fees you will need to include in your application.
2. Submit a completed Temporary Use Permit Application Form to the Village of Pouce Coupe.
3. Pay the Application Fee.
4. Village Staff will complete a technical review of the application and submit a draft permit and recommendation to Council for consideration. Council will either approve or deny staff to proceed with the application process. If denied, the applicant must wait six months to reapply.
5. If approved, Village staff will notify the applicant, public, and relevant agencies of the proposed permit.
6. Staff will prepare a report and recommendation, for Council’s final approval, based on staff review and public and agency input.
7. If approved, a permit will be awarded. If denied, the applicant must wait six months to re-apply.

Zoning Bylaw Amendment

Every property in the Village of Pouce Coupe has a zoning classification. This classification, or zone, regulates the uses permitted on a property and required building setbacks, heights and coverages allowed. The purpose of zoning is to be clear in communicating what is permitted within certain zones, and to ensure that zones are located in appropriate areas and do not conflict with neighbouring zones or properties.

When is a Zoning Bylaw Amendment Application necessary?

Rezoning is the process of changing the zoning of a property to allow a use that is not permitted under the existing zoning. Before any development takes place on a property, whether it is the construction of a new building or changing the activities that occur on a property, you should consult the Village’s Zoning Bylaw for that property to ensure development activities conform to the zoning in place. If the proposed development does not conform to the zoning, the applicant will have to apply to the Village of Pouce Coupe for a Zoning Bylaw Amendment to change the zoning classification of the property. This requires Council approval. At times, and depending on the type of change sought by the property, a Development Variance Permit may accommodate the change required for the development activities.

The application process is summarized below.

What steps are involved?

1. Set up an appointment with Village Staff to discuss the type of variance you are seeking. Staff will advise you on which documents, plans, reports, studies, and fees you will need to include in your application.
2. Submit a completed Rezoning Application Form to the Village of Pouce Coupe.
3. Pay the Application Fee.
4. Village Staff will complete a technical review of the application and submit a draft Zoning Bylaw Amendment and recommendation for Council’s consideration for first and second reading. Council will either approve or deny the application. If approved, Village staff will proceed with the amendment process. If denied, the applicant must wait six months to reapply.
5. If approved, Village staff will notify the applicant, refer the Zoning Bylaw Amendment to external agencies for comment, and schedule the public hearing date.
6. A public hearing will be held to allow the public opportunity to provide comment. It is highly recommended that the applicant attend the meeting in order to answer any potential questions from Council.
7. Staff will prepare a report and recommendation, for Council’s final approval, based on staff review as well as public and agency input. A final draft of the Amendment Bylaw will be put forward for Council’s consideration.
8. Following the public hearing, Council will consider adopting the amendment bylaw. If adopted, the Zoning Bylaw amendment is officially approved and the applicant can proceed with the next steps in their development process. If denied, the applicant must wait six months to re-apply.

Board of Variance

Individuals may seek a minor variance from the Board of Variance, a citizen led committee that has the authority to consider applications from individuals who claim that compliance with land use and building bylaws and legislation would cause the individual a “hardship”. A Hardship is defined as a significant circumstance that results from aspects of the site (e.g. a steep slope that makes a portion of the site unsuitable for development), as opposed to hardships generated by the site owner (e.g. existing improvements made on a site make future improvements difficult or impossible to meet local regulations). Hardships cannot conflict with matters such as Land Title Act covenants, permits or land use contracts or floodplain bylaw specifications.

A decision made by the Board of Variance is final. However, an appeal may be made to the Supreme Court in instances where it is alleged that the building inspector is in error in determining the extent of damage preventing reconstruction as a non-conforming use.

The application process is summarized below.

What steps are involved?

1. Set up an appointment with the Village Staff to discuss the type of variance you are seeking. Staff will let you know which documents, plans, reports, studies, and fees you will need to include in your application.
2. Submit a completed Board of Variance Application Form to the Village of Pouce Coupe.
3. Pay the Application Fee.
4. Village staff will notify the applicant and neighbouring properties of the Board of Variance Hearing date, time, and location.
5. Village Staff will complete a technical review of the application.
6. The Board of Variance Hearing will take place and a decision will be made.

Building Permit Application        Brochure

Development Variance Permit     Brochure

Official Community Plan Amendment     Brochure

Subdivision including Consolidation      Brochure

Temporary Use Permit          Brochure

Zoning Bylaw Amendment          Brochure