This project has been archived and is no longer being updated. For the latest information about the project, please visit the Bill 25 webpage.
Updating our Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw
In November 2025, the Province of British Columbia enacted Bill 25, new housing legislation which would allow more property owners in the city to add more housing units to their lots over time, including in the City’s heritage areas. The City is required to update its Zoning Bylaw by June 30, 2026 to comply with this legislation.
To help inform these updates, between February 23 and April 1, 2026, the City invited members of the community to learn about Bill 25 and share their input on heritage character neighbourhoods. Engagement activities focused on gathering input to inform the development of design guidelines for heritage character neighbourhoods, and to amend its Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw. Over 270 people participated in a variety of in-person and online activities. Results from the community engagement are summarized in the What We Heard Report and questions submitted during engagement can be found on the archived Virtual Information Session page.
Following engagement, City staff developed a set of proposed changes that were presented to Council in May 2026. In that meeting, Council passed a motion to refer the proposed OCP and Zoning Bylaw changes back to staff to incorporate feedback. For more information, watch the video of Council discussion here (click on “Item 6: Implementation of Bill 25”).
To comply with Bill 25, the City would need to:
- Allow up to 6 housing units per lot in areas with 400 metres of a frequent transit bus stop
- Remove minimum on-site parking requirements in those areas, and
- Replace all remaining single-detached and duplex zones with zoning that allows 3, 4, or 6 units of housing.
Some of these changes would impact properties located within the City’s heritage areas, including:
- Ottawa Gardens,
- Grand Boulevard,
- East 10th, and
- Finlay’s Row.
While provincial legislation requires the City to allow additional housing, the City retains an important role in shaping how new housing fits into neighbourhoods, particularly in areas with recognized heritage character.
Read more on the CNV webpage.
When someone constructs a new building or makes major changes to their property like adding another unit, they must get a permit from the City. The City uses a set of design guidelines to evaluate the application. The design guidelines are landscape and building requirements that exist to help ensure that developments will fit into the neighbourhoods, in a way that respects character and livability while still meeting requirements.
The City offered a variety of in-person and online engagement opportunities.
Walking tours:
Join City staff for guided walking tours to explore heritage character neighbourhoods firsthand and share what matters most to you.
- Monday, February 23rd at 3:00 PM (1.5 hour tour)
- Saturday, February 28th at 10:00 AM (1.5 hour tour)
Drop-in information sessions:
Learn about the provincial legislation changes, heritage areas, and proposed planning changes. Ask questions and share feedback with City staff. Drop in at any time during the following hours.
- Saturday, Feb 28th between 12:00 and 2:00 PM -- Queen Mary Elementary School (230 W Keith Rd)
- Tuesday, Mar 3rd between 4:00 and 6:00 PM -- North Vancouver City Library (120 14th St W)
- Wednesday, Mar 4th between 5:00 and 7:00 PM -- Royal Canadian Legion Branch 118 (123 15th St W)
Official Community Plan Town Hall:
This meeting is a legislative requirement and will follow a traditional town hall format. This is a formal opportunity to learn about proposed OCP and Zoning Bylaw changes and ask questions.
- Wednesday, April 1 at 5:00 – 7:00 PM -- John Braithwaite Community Centre (Shoreline Room) (145 W 1st St)
Online survey:
Available at https://letstalk.cnv.org/bill25alignment between February 23 and March 13, 2026.
More project information
Documents
Links
Timeline
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Timeline item 1 - complete
Public engagement period
February 23 - March 13, 2026
Staff will conduct walking tours, info sessions, and an online virtual information session.
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Timeline item 2 - complete
Data analysis and reporting
March - April 2026
Staff analyze engagement findings and use them to prepare draft bylaws to take to City Council for consideration.
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Timeline item 3 - complete
Official Community Plan (OCP) Town Hall
April 1, 2026
The City hosts the Town Hall a formal opportunity to learn about proposed OCP and Zoning Bylaw changes and ask questions.
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Timeline item 4 - complete
Presentation to Council
May 11, 2026
Council meets to consider changes to the City’s OCP and Zoning Bylaws, and map out the next steps.
