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Home   ›   Building and Development   ›   Development Applications   ›   Development Permit

Development Permit

The Town’s Official Community Plan identifies areas with specific guidelines for unique site conditions, known as Development Permit Areas. A Development Permit is required for any work in these areas. They are used by municipalities to regulate form and character, signage, siting, landscaping, screening, lighting, and parking within a municipality. This includes all commercial, industrial, multi-family, and infill residential developments. This also covers construction activity near steep slopes, environmental areas or flood-prone area.

Permits cannot vary the use or density of a property’s zoning designation.

New! Online Development Application
Development Permit Application Form
Combined Development and Bylaw Amendment Application

Development Permit Areas

Development Permit Areas protect and restore the natural environment, protect agricultural lands, and protect from hazardous conditions, such as steep slopes.

They may have specific requirements for the design and construction of buildings, modification of landscaping or terrain, removal of trees, involvement of outside professionals, and other considerations.

A Development Permit Area is outlined in Section 488 of the Local Government Act as an area with concerns such as:

  • Protection of the natural environment, its ecosystems and biological diversity.
  • Protection of development from hazardous conditions.
  • Protection of farming.
  • Revitalization of an area in which commercial use is permitted.
  • Establishment of objectives for the form and character of intensive residential development.
  • Establishment of objectives for the form and character of commercial, industrial or multi-family residential development.
  • In relation to an area in a resort region, establishment of objectives for the form and character of development in the resort region.
  • Establishment of objectives to promote energy conservation.
  • Establishment of objectives to promote water conservation.
  • Establishment of objectives to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

A Development Permit is required for the following activities within the established Development Permit Areas:

  • Subdivision.
  • Construction of, addition to, or alteration of a building or structure, land or parking area.
  • Any form of alteration of land in an environmentally sensitive area or land that is subject to hazardous conditions.
  • New construction of properties.
  • Alterations to multi-unit residential buildings.
  • Industrial buildings.
  • Commercial buildings.
  • Exterior or façade structural or colour changes.
  • Signage, murals and awnings.

A Development Permit is not required for:

  • Agricultural uses (normal farm practices).
  • Replacement of windows.
  • Painting the exterior of a building.
  • Institutional uses (intended use is wholly limited to institutional, utility and/or civic use).
  • Any activities or circumstances defined within the Exemptions section of DPA Guidelines.
  • Construction of a fence.
  • Replacement of a roof.
  • Accessory buildings that do not require a building permit.
  • Single residential dwellings, except when in part of a bare land strata development.
  • For a minor alteration to the exterior of a building that does not change the architectural character of the development. Minor is defined as a change which does not:
    • Increase site coverage more than 25% of the approved coverage.
    • Alter more than 25% of the existing floor area to a maximum of 200m2.
    • Change the exterior design of a building on any one side more than 25% including the addition or removal of windows.
    • In-kind replacements of missing, worn, or damaged materials, so long as there are no charges to the exterior design or appearance.
  1. A pre-application meeting to review your application and determine feasibility may be booked by emailing [email protected]
  2. Submit a complete application package to the Town of Qualicum Beach.
  3. Applications will be reviewed to ensure they meet all requirements. Once reviewed, staff will prepare a report to Council.
  4. Council will review the report and determine whether to approve or deny the application. Council may refer the application to the Advisory Planning Committee prior to final consideration.
  5. If approved, the development permit will be issued and registered on the property’s State of Title. Following the completion of this step, the building permit can be issued.

Applications and payment must be submitted together, by one of the following methods:

  • Mail: Town of Qualicum Beach, PO Box 130, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1S7
  • In Person: Town of Qualicum Beach, #201-660 Primrose Street, Qualicum Beach, BC

Town Hall hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Online Development Permit Application

Development Permit Application Form

Combined Development and Bylaw Amendment Application Form

Development Permit Application (not combined with a zoning or OCP amendment) $500 plus $1.50/m2 of new gross floor area of a building to a maximum of $4,000; or $500 plus $50 per lot in a subdivision to a maximum of $4,000.
Reissuance of existing Development Permit $200.00.
Development Permit Application (combined with a zoning or OCP amendment) $100 plus $0.50m2 of new gross floor area of a building to a maximum of $2,000; or $100 plus $10 per lot in a subdivision to a maximum of $2,000.
Development Permit for façade improvements (no additional floor area) $100.
Development Variance Permit $1,500.

Applications and payment must be submitted together, by one of the following methods:

  • Mail: Town of Qualicum Beach, PO Box 130, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1S7
  • In Person: Town of Qualicum Beach, #201-660 Primrose Street, Qualicum Beach, BC

Town Hall hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.