In late 2023, the Province of BC enacted legislation to increase housing density and availability in all communities in BC. The Town has met these requirements to date, including implementing zoning bylaw changes and completing its Interim Housing Needs Report in 2024. The Report revealed that Qualicum Beach must increase its housing units to meet the projected demand of 2,435 new housing units over the next 20 years.

The 2025 OCP will engage on four key areas of housing to ensure the Town’s policies meet the housing needs of the community:

• Which household types need housing support?
• Where should new housing and density be located?
• What should new housing and density look like?
• What should the Town’s role be in facilitating housing development?

• Sept 2023 – Appoint OCP Steering Committee. The committee will help define the scope of the OCP Review and provide recommendations to Council on decision points.
• Oct 2024 – Issue Tender for Quality of Life Survey. Seeking proposals for the development and implementation of the 2017 Quality of Life Survey.
• Jan 2025 – Develop Quality of Life Questions with input from key committees and groups.
• Jan 2025 – Conduct Quality of Life Survey (QLS). This survey will monitor and report on resident satisfaction with municipal services; monitor and report on shifting trends regarding hobbies, transportation, and lifestyle; and identify and provide feedback on key issues to assist with the OCP Review.
• Q2 2025 – Public Engagement. The Town will identify public engagement topics and engagement methods through the Communications and Engagement Plan, subject to Council approval.
• Q3 2025 – Draft Plan.
• Q4 2025 – Finalize Plan. Amend the OCP through the statutory review process by the provincially mandated deadline of December 31, 2025.

The 2025 engagement process was launched with The Quality of Life Survey (now extended to March 17 2025) and will follow with a series of in-person engagements, including open house events, guided discussions, meetings, and pop-up events. The results from the community engagement will then be presented at an open house with information on the next steps in the 2025 OCP Review.

• Topic Week 1 – Households Requiring Housing Supports
• Topic Week 2 – Land Use Patterns
• Topic Week 3 – Form & Character, Affordability Tradeoffs
• Topic Week 4 – Towns’ Role on Housing
• May 2025 – Engagement Summary Open House

The Town’s OCP was first adopted in 1978, with the last review in 2018. View the 2018 documents below:

• 2018 Official Community Plan Bylaw
• OCP Land Use Map
• Village Design Guidelines
• Background Documents

Project Documents

• Feb 2025 – Draft OCP Project Plan

Media Releases

• Feb 2025 – Interim Housing Needs Report Released
• Jan 2025 – Quality of Life Survey Launched
• Mar 2024 – Provincial Housing Changes Announced
• Jul 2023 –  Official Community Plan Announced

Meetings & Council Memos

• Feb 12, 2025 – Draft Project Plan Approved

Tendering 

• Sept 2024 – RFP for Quality of Life Survey

To contact the Town with questions or inquiries related to this project please use the Public Inquiry Form