Let's Talk Housing

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This project has now concluded.

About the project: In the spring of 2018, we started a community conversation about future growth management through residential infill and densification. With community feedback and research in hand, we are drafting a new Housing Policy that will help shape the update of our Official Community Plan, and will lead to updated design guidelines and the establishment of development permit areas, as well as amendments to the Land Use Bylaw.

The infill study has looked at:

    • densification of village centres,
    • small lot infill,
    • duplexes,
    • panhandle lot subdivisions,
    • carriage houses,
    • tiny houses,
    • multi-use four-stories,
    • and a review of existing zoning regulations to remove any barriers to housing.

In the summer of 2019, we came back to the community with draft guidelines and policies. At open houses and through a survey, we gathered feedback from the public. Now we are preparing a What We Heard report to share with you, and then we will be working on recommendations for Council to consider.

We want your input!

  1. Please read the proposed regulations for infill housing here.
  2. Ask questions and offer feedback by emailing planning@csaanich.ca or calling the Planning Department at 250-544-4209.

This project has now concluded.

About the project: In the spring of 2018, we started a community conversation about future growth management through residential infill and densification. With community feedback and research in hand, we are drafting a new Housing Policy that will help shape the update of our Official Community Plan, and will lead to updated design guidelines and the establishment of development permit areas, as well as amendments to the Land Use Bylaw.

The infill study has looked at:

    • densification of village centres,
    • small lot infill,
    • duplexes,
    • panhandle lot subdivisions,
    • carriage houses,
    • tiny houses,
    • multi-use four-stories,
    • and a review of existing zoning regulations to remove any barriers to housing.

In the summer of 2019, we came back to the community with draft guidelines and policies. At open houses and through a survey, we gathered feedback from the public. Now we are preparing a What We Heard report to share with you, and then we will be working on recommendations for Council to consider.

We want your input!

  1. Please read the proposed regulations for infill housing here.
  2. Ask questions and offer feedback by emailing planning@csaanich.ca or calling the Planning Department at 250-544-4209.
  • Infill regulations added to Land Use Bylaw

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    The District has been working on a Residential Infill and Densification project for the last few years and the last major step in the project was to update regulations in the Land Use Bylaw to implement new policy direction.

    An updated Land Use Bylaw #2072 has been adopted and can be found at: Land Use Bylaw #2072

    Key changes include, but are not limited to:

    • New regulations to allow for detached accessory dwelling units as an alternative to a secondary suite in the R and RE zones, (see Part 4, s. 12 & 13),
    • Minimum lot area requirements to have a secondary suite or cottage in any zone,
    • Revisions to the R-1XS zone to have a minimum lot area of 300m2 and one applicable FAR regulation,
    • Reduced setbacks for non-habitable accessory buildings,
    • Reduced lot size requirement for a duplex in the R-2 zone,
    • Maximum house size in the R zones, and
    • A number of definitions have been updated
  • Thanks for your feedback!

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    Thank you for providing your input on this project.

    The public hearing was held on April 20 and the next step will be for Council to consider the input and to give the Bylaw Third Reading, which could include further revisions. We will update the website as new information becomes available.



  • Public Hearing on Infill Regulations

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    A virtual public hearing on the infill regulations will take place April 20, 2021, at 6:00 p.m.


    To submit your comments and/or register to speak:

    Email municipalhall@csaanich.ca or phone us, 250-652-4444, and you will be sent instructions on how to connect electronically to the meeting.


    WATCH THE MEETING: Live online or view the video the following day at https://centralsaanich.civicweb.net/Portal/ Click on the Agendas, Minutes and Videos tab.


  • View Infill Regulation Details by Property Type/Zoning

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    If you’re curious about zoning regulations specific to your property, you can use the draft Land Use Bylaw Appendix A document to see the details on a specific zoning type. For convenience, a Land Use Bylaw Amendment Overview is also posted that summarizes the amendments in a table. These are available in the Documents section of this site.

    The Draft Land Use Bylaw that will be considered by Council at their Feb 22; there will be a staff report with background information included as part of the report.

    We welcome any comments or questions.

  • Draft infill regulations coming to your mailbox!

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    To ensure residents are informed on the proposed amendments to the Land Use Bylaw to incorporate infill regulations, we are mailing an information package to all homes. You can view the package here.

    • REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COUNCIL - Mon. February 22, 2021
    • PUBLIC HEARING (virtual) - tentatively Tues., March 16, 2021
      • You can watch the Public Hearing using our online livestream.
      • You can register to speak to Council before noon of the Public Hearing date by calling 250-652-444 or email municipalhall@csaanich.ca.
      • You can email your comments to Council before noon of the Public Hearing date to municipalhall@csaanich.ca.

    Want to learn more?

    There are drawings, details about the proposed amendments available on our website https://www.centralsaanich.ca/home-property-development/land-use-current-planning/infill-housing

  • Watch info session online

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    Due to the need to respond to the rising COVID cases, the District cancelled the infill housing open houses scheduled for November 2020.

    Instead, we held a virtual session for the public; it was 45 min and provided a 20-min overview followed by a public Q&A. You can view the session here.

    We are seeking community input on zoning regulations for various types of infill housing. Please watch the video, read about the regulations and tell us what you think!

  • Proposed infill guidelines

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    The District is seeking community input on zoning regulations for various types of infill housing.

    You can read the proposed regulations for each type of infill housing on our website. You can also view illustrations of the proposed regulations here.

    If you'd like to offer feedback, you can email planning@csaanich.ca or call 250-544-4209. You can also talk with staff at a virtual open house November 27. Details and registration information are here.

  • Infill renderings coming soon

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    Our Official Community Plan has been updated with new housing policies and guidelines specific to infill housing. These will help meet our community’s evolving housing needs in a manner that is sensitive to the character of Central Saanich. (See OCP on website; section 4 for policies, 11.1 for guidelines.)

    What’s next?

    We will be sharing specific building regulations, such as building placement (property line setbacks) and height restrictions; we will share physical models as well as architectural renderings online to show you what infill will look and feel like. This will include small lot, accessory cottages & carriage houses, panhandle lots, duplexes, pocket neighbourhoods, small scale townhouses and the heights for apartment/condominium buildings.

    With COVID-19 social distancing measures in place, we’re exploring a range of public engagement activities so everyone can provide their input.

    Why is infill important?

    We project the District needs 375 new dwellings by 2036 to keep up with growth; these policies for infill and densification will allow us to focus the development in a way that creates the variety of housing options we heard you want, including opportunities for affordable housing and options for seniors to age in place.

  • Notice of opportunity for public input - March 10

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    A public hearing will take place on Tuesday, March 10, at 6:00pm at the Municipal Hall. This is a continuation from the February 24 Public Hearing, in order to obtain input on proposed amendments to the Official Community Plan as part of the Residential Infill and Densification Project. These amendments would introduce new housing policies to replace Part 4 - Residential Growth Management and Housing, and introduce a new Intensive Residential Development Permit Area with guidelines for various types of infill developments.

    All persons who consider they are affected by the proposed Bylaw shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard at the Public Hearing, either in person, by representative, or by written submission, on all matters contained in the proposed Bylaw at the above mentioned time, date and place. The entire content of all submissions will be made public and form a part of the public record for this matter.
    No representations will be received by Council after the Public Hearing has concluded.

    To review the recommendations, please see the previous update.

    Join us

    Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 6:00 p.m.

    Municipal Hall Training Room, 1903 Mt Newton Cross Rd

    Questions? Please email planning@csaanich.ca



  • Notice of opportunity for public input

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    On February 24, the District will hold a public hearing on the recommendations of the Residential Infill and Densification Draft Policies and Guidelines.

    If you have feedback on the draft policies or guidelines, you are welcome to attend. You are also welcome to contact Council.

    The public hearing is the final opportunity for public feedback before Council votes on adopting the recommendations.

    To review the recommendations, please see the previous update.

    Join us

    Monday, February 24, 2020, 6:00 p.m.

    Council Chambers, Municipal Hall, 1903 Mt Newton Cross Rd

    Questions? Please email planning@csaanich.ca


Page last updated: 14 Sep 2022, 10:36 AM