FAQs
- Streamlined TUP processes for short-term rentals; and
- Public engagement on additional TUP uses such as seasonal accommodations, worker housing, and markets/festivals.
- Board direction to amend bylaws
- Legislative review and internal coordination
- Presentations to EASC
- Referrals to agencies and Advisory Planning Commissions
- Refining draft policies based on feedback
- Completing a legal review
- Not permitted in Electoral Areas A, B, C, D, F, G, or H
- In Area E, only allowed for events at the Cowichan Valley Trap & Skeet Club
- In Area I, only allowed for music festivals at Laketown Ranch (CD‑1 Zone)
Why is the CVRD Undertaking this work?
On April 22, 2026, the CVRD Board directed staff (Resolution No. 2026-421) to report on options to enable Temporary Use Permits (TUPs) in Electoral Areas as a priority. The Electoral Area Services Committee (EASC) considered this direction, and after reviewing a staff report on May 20, 2026, the Board voted on May 27, 2026 to proceed with a bylaw framework for commercial and industrial TUPs.
The Board also requested future work on:
The CVRD has been working since early 2024 to expand TUP opportunities for rural property owners. This work has been completed internally by staff and has included:
What could Temporary Commercial Uses Look like under the proposed Bylaw?
Temporary Commercial TUPs would generally apply to properties already zoned Commercial or Industrial (including applicable Comprehensive Development (CD) zones).
For example, a daycare not currently permitted under existing zoning could operate temporarily through a TUP while waiting for a rezoning approval.
As TUPs are intended for short-term use, they are not meant to support permanent development or major infrastructure investment. Most temporary uses would occur within existing buildings, though some mobile uses (e.g., food trucks) may not require permanent structures.
What could Temporary Industrial Uses Look like under the proposed Bylaw?
Temporary Industrial TUPs would generally apply only to lands already zoned Industrial (including applicable Comprehensive Development (CD) zones) to ensure compatibility and avoid impacts on sensitive areas.
They are intended for short-term or interim uses such as storage yards, equipment staging, or temporary processing while longer-term approvals are pursued. The bylaw includes safeguards to prevent site contamination.
Limited, low-impact industrial uses may also be considered more broadly. For example: portable sawmills could be considered on lands in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), provided they meet ALR regulations and do not require permanent infrastructure.
Under Provincial ALR rules, temporary sawmills can be permitted by the CVRD as non-farm uses only if at least 50% of the timber processed comes from the same property, and they must remain temporary in nature.
How are TUP Regulations Established?
The CVRD’s authority to establish Temporary Use Permit (TUP) areas comes from Section 492 of the Local Government Act. TUPs can be designated either in an Official Community Plan (OCP) or through a zoning bylaw.
The CVRD Board is considering implementing TUPs through a zoning bylaw.
How Long can TUPs be Active?
A Temporary Use Permit (TUP) is not permanent. It can be issued for up to 3 years and renewed once for an additional 3 years, for a maximum of 6 years total.
The authority and time limits for TUPs are set out in Section 497 of the Local Government Act. A property may only be used according to the permit until it expires, and renewal is allowed only once.
Can TUPs be Issued Today?
Temporary Use Permits (TUPs) are currently unavailable to most rural property owners in the CVRD and are limited to very specific uses and locations:
Previous TUP frameworks were rescinded in November 2025, and earlier frameworks were not the same across different electoral areas and had been limited to a narrow range of uses.
If approved, the new framework would allow commercial and industrial TUPs on appropriately zoned properties across the CVRD, creating a more consistent and flexible tool to support temporary activities while longer-term approvals are considered.
Does a TUP require servicing details?
TUPs can apply to a wide range of uses, so application requirements will vary based on the scale and impact of the proposal.
Low-impact uses (e.g., a seasonal food truck court in an existing commercial area) may require minimal servicing details if facilities like washrooms, water, and drainage are already in place.
More complex uses (e.g., temporary industrial activities) may require detailed information, such as how sanitary facilities will be provided (e.g., septic systems or portable services).
The approach allows requirements to be scaled appropriately to each proposal. These servicing expectations are often set by provincial regulations.
By requiring applicants to outline servicing upfront, the CVRD aims to avoid delays and support a smoother approval process.
Does a TUP Require Restoration Conditions?
Restoration plans are not required for all Temporary Use Permit (TUP) applications. They may be requested when a proposal involves land alteration or construction, depending on its scale and impact.
Because TUPs are temporary, properties are generally expected to return to a condition consistent with existing zoning after the permit expires. The CVRD may require securities to ensure this if needed.
Requirements are intended to be reasonable and proportionate. Low-impact uses may not require restoration, while more significant site changes may include conditions for restoring the land.
This flexible approach helps to reduce potential enforcement issues after permits expire. In some cases, improvements may remain if they align with permitted uses in the existing zoning.
Each application will be reviewed individually, and for larger or long-term investments, rezoning may be more appropriate.