Potential Development

What to Expect

Important note: The OCP was adopted in 2021. Significant revisions to the zoning bylaw , associated strategies and maps to mirror the new OCP are in process.  Completion is expected mid- 2023. Until then, the current legal Zoning By-law takes precedent over the OCP. Please discuss your development plans with the Village.

Pre-Development Meeting – A pre-development meeting is required where planning staff will assist with the Planning & Development Approval Application for developments that require an Official Community Plan or Zoning Bylaw Amendment, Temporary Use Permit, Development Variance Permit (minor or major), or a Development Permit (minor or major). Please contact the Village at 250-265-3689 or info@nakusp.com to arrange a meeting before proceeding. The Planning & Development Approval Application can be found in Forms & Fee’s.

Zoning Amendments – Is the property currently zoned for what you want to use it for? If not, you will need to apply for a zoning amendment and possibly an Official Community Plan amendment. Learn more about zoning.

Development Permits – Is the property located within a development permit area? If so, you will need apply for a Development Permit prior to renovating, alteration, or any other structural changes that you would like to do to the property.

Non-Conforming Properties – Is the property or the buildings non-conforming? If they are, you may not be able to make the changes to the property that you would like.

Historical Use – What was the historical use of the property? You may be required to submit a Phase 1 or Phase 2 Environment Site Assessment prior to any development that you propose. Here is the link to the Registered BC Surveyor. Find a Land Surveyor – Association of British Columbia Land Surveyors (abcls.ca)

You may need the BC Provincial Government’s page on Contamination Sites Site remediation – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca). 

Subdivision – Are you considering purchasing a property with the intent to subdivide? Be sure to check the current Zone of the property. Also, please review the Zoning Bylaw and the Subdivision and Development Services Bylaw.

Utilities – Building on raw land, no matter the size of your project, will require a water and sewer connection. If the property is located within the Village of Nakusp boundaries, an application form for new water or sewer connections are here.

Temporary Use Permit (TUP) – The owner of land may apply to the Village for a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) when they want to do something on their land that is not permitted by the village’s zoning bylaw.  The application must be submitted, with the associated fee, and it will be reviewed by council and made available for public inspection.  There is no guarantee whether Council will approve a TUP and the public will be provided notice of the application and are invited to comment on it. More information is available here.  

Note: These are key aspects to consider before purchasing a property and, even though most applications are approved, be prepared for a process that could take several months to complete and a possibility that you might not receive approval.