I Want To

Apply for

A Building Permit A Burning Permit A Business Licence Community Funding & Support A Development Permit A Dog Licence A Municipal Job

View

Budget & Taxes Bylaws Council Information Garbage Collection Calendar Official Community Plan Online Property Tax Account Recreation Schedules & Programs Reports, Strategies & Plans

Contact

Council or Staff Emergency Services Hospitals & Clinics Report a Problem or Request Service Social & Community Services Submit an Event

Pay for

Parking Tickets Property Taxes Municipal Services Municipal Tickets & Fines Utilities

Zoning


The Purpose of the Zoning Bylaw

The purpose of the Zoning Bylaw is to control the use of land in accordance with the OCP. This document sets out the rules and regulations respecting land uses within the community, such as setbacks, building size and property uses. Zoning is typically designed to create compatibility between different land uses. The Zoning Bylaw can be amended as a Council-led initiative, or by application. 

Growth and change in the community can be managed effectively through policies related to the provision of infrastructure, services, and amenities and through the regulation of land use and development. Promoting compact, mixed-use, and high quality development will help protect our natural areas by reducing urban sprawl, eliminating unnecessary infrastructure spending, and fostering a convenient, walkable, and livable community. Two of the District’s main land use regulations are the Official Community Plan and the Zoning Bylaw, which are described below. You can review the applicable zoning of properties in Sparwood by viewing our interactive map

The District of Sparwood is in the process of updating its Zoning Bylaw. This document sets out the rules and regulations respecting land uses within the community, such as setbacks, building size and property uses. The current Zoning Bylaw which was adopted in 1981 has seen many amendments without a comprehensive review.  

The purpose of this update is to modernize the bylaw, check-in with the community and business owners on any potential changes they may like to see, and to ensure consistency with the District’s Official Community Plan which was adopted in 2015. 

For any questions or comments pertaining to the Zoning Bylaw or this project, please contact Planning at planning@sparwood.ca or 250-425-6271

Zoning Bylaw 

Some projects require a change to the applicable land use regulations in the OCP or Zoning Bylaw. If your project requires an amendment to the OCP or Zoning Bylaw, please review the Development Application Procedures Bylaw, and then contact the District’s Planning Department at 250-425-6271 or sparwood@sparwood.ca to discuss your project. You can also download the appropriate application form


Boards of Variance

The Board of Variance considers minor variances in siting, dimensions, or size requirements (side yard, back, front, height and area coverage) where compliance with the District of Sparwood Zoning Bylaw would cause hardship. 

A person may apply to the Board of Variance (BOV) for a minor variance if they feel compliance with the bylaw would cause them a hardship. For example, if a big rock in their yard made it a hardship to site the house in conformity with the normal setbacks, a person could apply for a minor variance. 

The BOV cannot vary the permitted uses, densities, or parking under the Zoning Bylaw, nor does it to deal with major variance applications. Major variances require a Development Variance Permit application or in some cases a Zoning Bylaw Amendment. 

Board of Variance Membership 

Sparwood’s Board of Variance consist of three members. Each member is appointed for a three-year term by the municipal Council. An officer or employee of the local government are prohibited from being appointed to a BOV. An appointment can be rescinded at any time. Review the BOV terms of reference in the Board of Variance Bylaw

Board of Variance Meetings 

Meetings of the BOV are scheduled on an as-needed basis when applications are received. Scheduled meetings are listed on the District’s event calendar and advertised on our public notice board. Meetings of a BOV must be open to the public. 

The BOV may grant a variance if they have considered the following factors and are of the opinion that the variance does not: 

  • result in inappropriate development of the site 
  • adversely affect the natural environment 
  • substantially affect the use and enjoyment of the adjacent land 
  • vary the permitted uses and densities or defeat the intent of the bylaw. 

Board of Variance Decisions 

The BOV focuses primarily on hardship relating to matters such as siting, dimensions and size of buildings. They cannot conflict with other matters such as Land Title Act covenants, permits or land use contracts or floodplain bylaw specifications. 

A decision of the BOV is final. However, there may be an appeal to the Supreme Court in the specific case where a person alleges that there has been an error by the Building Inspector in the determination of the amount of damage to a non-conforming building above its foundation (75% or more of its value). 

A decision by a tribunal like a BOV may be assessed by the Courts under the Judicial Review Procedure Act if it alleged that proper procedure was not followed.