Development Permits / Special Development Permits
- Achieve the desired form and character of commercial, industrial, and/or residential development;
- Revitalize commercial areas;
- Prevent development from creating hazardous conditions;
- Protect the natural environment;
- Promote water and energy conservation; or,
- Promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Where a subject site is within a Development Permit Area, a DP is generally required where a project proposes:
- new buildings (including laneway and carriage houses);
- additions;
- changes to the building envelope;
- changes to landscaping, surface parking lots, and accessory buildings;
- temporary residential sales centres; and
- development near environmentally sensitive areas or areas within flood plains (i.e., in the Queensborough neighbourhood).
If the proposed project requires changes to the use or density permitted under the site’s zoning, a Zoning Amendment Bylaw (rezoning) application is required in addition to a DP. If the project requires variances to other Zoning Bylaw regulations, a Development Variance Permit application may also be necessary.
Once a development permit application has been submitted and the application fees paid, the Planning file manager will conduct and coordinate review of the application, which may involve other City departments and committees. The application review process is informed by the scope and complexity of the development permit, as well as associated applications (e.g., development variance permit).
Information on key components of the development permit process are below. However, this information is not intended to be comprehensive and the Planning file manager will provide project-specific information once the application has been assigned.
The Director of Planning and Development can approve or reject DP or SDP applications. Following application review, the Director will consider the application for approval. The Director may also choose to refer an application to Council for a decision or feedback. Prior to approval, the development permit application process will typically require the submission of a landscape security, in accordance with the Planning and Development Fees and Rates Bylaw, to ensure that the installed landscaping reflects the approved design.
ConsultationConsultation with neighbours, the community, City committees and stakeholders may be required depending on the scale, impact, scope or complexity of the proposed application. The Planning file manager can provide further direction through review of the application.
Design ReviewThrough the Development Permit application process, staff will review the proposal against the Development Permit Area (DPA) Design Guidelines to ensure compliance with the current and future character of the neighbourhood. Applicants are encouraged to closely review the applicable DPA Guidelines prior to submission of a formal application. We note that applications of considerable complexity may also be referred to the New Westminster Design Panel (NWDP), an architectural and landscape design peer review panel. The NWDP may provide comments and make recommendations, which may require changes to the design.