ClosePlanning Services
The Sunshine Coast Regional District’s (SCRD) planning services manage a large range of development applications and prepare plans, policies, and regulations to guide development throughout the Regional District.
Planning Hours and Contact Information
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drop-in counter closed, appointments only |
Drop in counter hours: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM |
New Drop in counter hours: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM |
Drop-in counter closed, appointments only |
Drop in counter hours: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM |
Due to the number of enquiries received by the SCRD Planning Department, counter service is limited to 15 minutes per enquiry.
If you have a complex question that will require more than 15 minutes to discuss, please email planning@scrd.ca.
You can also contact our planning department at 604-885-6804.
Planning and Development Bulletins
| Current Estimated Time | |
| Development Permits: | |
| Pre-Application | 2 – 4 weeks |
| Remedial Pre-Application | 6 months + |
| Delegated Development Permit (Hazard & Environmental*) | 6 – 8 weeks |
| Non-Delegated Development Permit (Form & Character, Ag Buffer) | 2 – 3 months |
| Variances: | |
| Pre-Application | 2 – 4 weeks |
| Development Variance Permit | 2 – 3 months |
| Board of Variance | 2 – 3 months |
| Land Use Applications: | |
| Pre-Application | 3 months + |
| Official Community Plan Amendment | 12 months + |
| Rezoning | 12 months + |
| Temporary Use Permits | 6 – 12 months |
| Agricultural Land Reserve Referrals | 4 – 6 months |
| Subdivision: | |
| Pre-Application | 3 months + |
| Subdivision Applications (Joint Application with MOTT): | 12 months + |
| Add Frontage Waiver (additional time) | Add 3 months |
| Strata Conversion | 6 months + |
| Property Information Request: | |
| Comfort Letter | 2 – 4 weeks |
- *Assumes provincially approved riparian assessment is available.
- Planning Applications start once officially accepted by staff, with confirmation of fee payment and assignment of an application number.
- The above is intended to serve as a guide for ensuring sufficient time is budgeted for the timing of your Planning Applications related to your project. Timelines can vary due to legislated requirements, SCRD’s relationship as a regional district with other government agencies involved in the approval process, and applicant coordination of key deliverables such as demonstrating servicing requirements.
Front Counter Service Hours
To enhance customer service experiences with development approvals Planning and Development Front Counter Service has increased from two-days per week to three-days per week.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| Drop-in counter closed, appointments only | Drop in counter hours: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM | NEW drop-in counter hours: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Drop-in counter closed, appointments only | Drop in counter hours: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM |
Staff continue to balance drop-in/casual counter service with scheduled client meetings offered in-person or virtually on an appointment basis.
Development Planning and Community Planning Branches
Following confirmation by recommendations in KPMG’s Final Report on SCRD’s Development Approvals Process Review (DAPR) the Planning Division will be restructured into two branches to provide more focused service.
Community Planning Branch |
Development Planning Branch |
| Core Services: Oversees policy development (OCPs, zoning, etc.) and regional planning work | Core Services: Development applications, front counter service, bylaw compliance matters, DAPR implementation |
| Contact: Jonathan Jackson, Manager | Contact: Kevin Jones, Assistant Manager |
Process Improvements Completed
- New Formalized Pre-Applications to assist customers with making better applications that can be expedited more quickly
- New Remediation Application process that helps unauthorized works in Development Permit Areas (DPAs) transition from Bylaw enforcement to issuance of a Development Permit that authorizes work aligned with DPA objectives.
- New Clear and documented Requirements Letters that provide guidance on development applications.
- New Building Permits Zoning and Land Use Compliance Declaration to be used at time of Building Permit Submission
Upcoming Improvements
- Advisory Planning Commission (APC) orientation and riparian regulation workshop; which will initiate a process of reinvesting in APCs
- Website info page providing information related to current applications (see Whistler’s website(External link) for inspiration; SCRD will apply a phased approach)
- Providing information to the SCRD Board of Directors on recommended improvements to the processing of subdivision applications
- Recruitment of a new Planning Technician 3 joining the Development Planning Branch to support customer service enhancement
- Initiating work related to streamlining SCRD’s development file management system, increasing efficiency and transparency
- Enquiry escalation procedure
Other Important Planning Projects
- Official Community Plan renewal: community engagement will be starting in mid-2024. To find out more and get involved, please visit the project LetsTalk page: https://letstalk.scrd.ca/ocp-update
- Updated Housing Needs Report to comply with new provincial legislation
- Reviewing zoning compliance with new provincial housing legislation