When you are building or developing a property, you need to follow Whistler’s Zoning and Parking Bylaw (PDF), which includes a maximum gross floor area (or size in square metres) for buildings in your zone. 

In some cases, there are exemptions that allow floor area to not count toward the total limit, for example in-ground basement areas, parking areas, and crawlspaces. By excluding these types of areas from the calculation of your building’s gross floor area, it allows more flexibility for creating living space or building on a sloped lot. 

What is gross floor area?

Gross floor area is defined in the Zoning and Parking Bylaw and is the total of all floor area of all the buildings on a parcel. Most zones have a limit on the amount of gross floor area that can be developed on a parcel.

What is exempt?

The Zoning and Parking Bylaw lists a number of types of floor area that may not have to be counted towards the maximum, including basements, crawl spaces, parking and elevators.  

To review the full list of exemptions see the Zoning and Park Bylaw (PDF), Part 5, Section 26.

What is in-ground basement floor area?  

In ground-basement floor area is area that is at least 50 per cent below ground, based on exterior wall height and adjacent grade. See the Zoning and Parking Bylaw (PDF) for the full definition.

When can the in-ground basement floor area be excluded from the maximum gross floor area calculation? 

In-ground basement floor area can be excluded from the calculation of the maximum gross floor area for detached and duplex dwellings if two conditions are met: 

• The in-ground basement floor area is the lowest floor of the building. 
• The amount of area that is excluded is a maximum of 125 per cent of the floor area of the storey immediately above. 

Can other gross floor area exclusions also apply? 

Other eligible exclusions may include crawlspaces, void spaces, parking areas, elevators, and areas occupied by fixed machinery and equipment.  

• If they are on the same level as the in-ground basement floor area or a floor above, these areas can also be excluded. 
• Exclusions might be permitted along with the in-ground basement floor area, but they must not be below the in-ground basement floor area.  

View additional information in the bulletin on gross floor area exclusions for detached and duplex dwellings (PDF) and a guide to determining if these exemptions may apply to your development.