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
Please note, that all Planning Applications do not start until they have been officially accepted and taken in by staff, with confirmation of fee payment and assignment of an application number.
| Application Type | Estimated Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Pre-Applications: | 4 – 8 weeks |
| Remedial Pre-Applications for DP’s: | Typically, a minimum 6 months |
| DP’s (Geotechnical Hazard or Aquifer Protection): | 4 – 5 months |
| DP’s (Riparian/ Shoreline Protection or Form & Character): | 5 – 8 months |
| Subdivisions: | 6 – 12 months until SCRD PLR comments provided (timing also dependent on MOTI) |
| Rezonings: | 9 – 12 months |
| OCP Amendments: | 12 months, plus |
| ALR Referrals: | 4 – 6 months |
| Temporary Use Permits: | 6 – 10 months |
| Development Variance Permits: | 4 – 6 months |
| Board of Variance Orders: | 4 – 6 months |
| Strata Conversion: | 4 – 6 months |
| Tree Cutting Permits: | 2 – 6 weeks |
| Property Information Request: | 2 – 4 weeks |
| Complex Property Information Request or Comfort Letter: | 4 – 8 weeks |
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. Some applications can run concurrently; however, due to legislated requirements and our relationship as a regional district with other government agencies involved in the approval process, this is not possible for all application types.
Please note that during the months of August and December, holidays limit SCRD Board and Committee meeting schedules, which impacts timelines for applications requiring Board approval.
SCRD’s Planning and Development Department is working to improve the quality of service delivered to customers and to the community. A number of changes have recently been made or are being planned, as described in this bulletin. You can learn more about the Development Approvals Process Review project at https://letstalk.scrd.ca/dapr. Future bulletins will be offered at key milestones.
Increased Front Counter Service Hours
To enhance customer service experiences with development approvals Planning & Development Front Counter Service will increase from two-days per week to three-days per week. Starting May 1, days/hours will be as follows:
| 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 |
A further increase to drop-in counter hours to 5 days per week is being planned for later in 2024.
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