Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw

The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) is updating and consolidating ten existing zoning bylaws into one region-wide Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw (CZB) for all electoral areas. The new zoning bylaw will simplify zoning regulations, making them easier to understand for residents and more efficient and cost-effective to administer. In short, it will make zoning less complicated for everyone!

To learn more visit:

• Visit our FAQs about the project and recent draft CZB, we will continue to update them as we move forward to help show we are listening
• See our Project Updates and timeline to learn how we got here
• Review our CZB Review Documents to see our past staff reports, engagement summaries and more
• View the draft CZB to get an understanding of the proposed zones and what uses

Review the DRAFT CZB Document		Read the Draft CZB FAQs

What is a Zoning Bylaw?

A zoning bylaw is a set of rules that specify how land can and cannot be used. In the CVRD, zoning bylaws are enacted by the CVRD Board through authority granted by the Local Government Act.

Zoning bylaws regulate:

• Use of land, buildings, and other structures
• Density, or the number of homes that can be built on one property
• Siting and size of buildings and other structures, including height and setbacks from property lines
• Location of uses on the land and within buildings and other structures
• Shape, dimensions, and area of all parcels of land created by subdivision, which includes minimum parcel sizes

The power to regulate through a zoning bylaw also includes the power for local governments to prohibit uses in a zone. Watch this video to learn more!

Why are Zoning Bylaws Important?

Zoning bylaws divide areas into zones for different types of land uses, such as residential, agricultural, and commercial. This helps to reduce conflicts between uses that might not work well next to one another. For example, it keeps new homes from being built next to a noisy industrial plant. Zoning also helps create a balance of uses in a community to meet its needs and to support a sustainable future.

Why is the CVRD consolidating its zoning bylaws?

Zoning bylaws are the practical tools that help implement the vision outlined in the Official Community Plan (OCP). All zoning regulations must be consistent with the land use designations in the OCP. The 2025 OCP for the Electoral Areas sets the foundation, vision, and land use designations for the Cowichan Valley. The CVRD is consolidating its zoning bylaws and completing updates to create a Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw that aligns with the OCP.

The CZB will provide a single set of Definitions and General Regulations that apply to all electoral areas. This will make future updates easier and improve efficiency in processing applications. It will also add in other existing bylaws like the Sign Bylaw, Manufactured Home Park Bylaw, Campground Standards Bylaw, Off-Street Parking Bylaw, and Landscape Standards so these are all within one Bylaw.