2024 Annual Report Draft

Development activity

Land use applications The number of land use applications has slightly decreased since 2021 but has remained relatively steady over the past five years. Legislative changes at the provincial level introduced in 2023 required the City to rezone restrictive zones, 16 of them, to R-SMUH as of June 2024. This zoning bylaw amendment reduced the need for property rezoned for secondary suites, accessory dwelling units, duplexes or Townhomes up to four dwelling units on a property with a minimum of 300m2. This trend is expected to continue as new provincial regulations mandate pre-zoning to accommodate 20-year housing needs. Development permit applications for form and character, environmental considerations and steep slopes have remained steady. Tree cutting permits have increased slightly since 2020. Building permit applications have fluctuated between 2020 and 2024, with a shift in building forms. While the total number of permits has decreased, there has been a significant rise in multi-residential developments since 2023. In contrast, single residential dwelling permits have steadily declined since 2021, reflecting a broader shift toward higher-density housing.

Rezoning Applications 2.4%

Tree Cutting Permits 6.8%

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Development permits (including variances)

31

38

36

34

33

Rezoning applications

15

9 4 7

9 2 3

6 0 5

7 1 6

Combined OCP and rezoning applications

3 5

Sidewalk patio permits

Sign permits

42 15

42 19

52 22

33 21

45 20

Tree cutting permits

Building permit applications

283

335

216

238

184

City of Courtenay | 2024 Annual Report

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