Commercial and strata properties in Whistler must collect and separate all recycling, compost and landfill waste.
Specifically, under our Solid Waste Bylaw, commercial and strata properties need to:
- Collect and divert food waste.
- Have three streams of waste collection for recycling, compost and landfill waste.
- Manage contamination of all three streams of waste.
When do you need a Solid Waste Management Plan?
A Solid Waste Management Plan describes how you plan to meet Whistler’s waste collection and diversion requirements.
You need a Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) if you:
- Are applying for a business licence for any business that provides food services, or generates waste at a special event.
- Are applying for rezoning for:
- a multi-family residential complex with more 12 or more dwelling units, or
- any industrial, commercial, or institutional use.
- Are applying for a development permit for every new, or addition to:
- a multi-family residential complex with 12 or more dwelling units, or
- any industrial, commercial, or institutional use.
- Want to be eligible for the gross floor area (GFA) exclusion under Part 5 of the Zoning and Parking Bylaw.
Find resources for waste management for commercial and strata properties.
Use this Solid Waste Management Plan template (PDF).
Creating more space for waste collection
If your property has a waste collection space that you want to make bigger, you have three options:
- Convert space in an existing building.
- Add space to an existing building.
- Build a new building.
For Option 1, talk to the Building Department about building permit requirements to convert existing space.
For Options 2 or 3, you will likely require a development permit. Follow the steps below to find out about development permit requirements.
Checking the Development Permit Area (DPA) guidelines
To find out if your multi-family or commercial building is in a Development Permit Area, use the RMOW GIS. To do this, click on Layers, then Property, then Development Permit Areas.
If your project involves any of the following exterior changes, it will probably need a development permit:
- Altering the building’s exterior
- Replacing or adding new windows or doors
- Adding new exterior finishes
- Changing landscaping (for example removing or replacing trees or vegetation)
- Changing the roof
- Expanding the building footprint
- Building something new
Check your property’s zoning
Use the RMOW GIS to check the zoning regulations for your property. To do this, select the property, then select View Additional Details, then open the Bylaw link.
Auxiliary buildings
Check the regulations for auxiliary buildings in Section 3 of Part 5 of the Zoning and Parking Bylaw.
If you have a Solid Waste Management Plan that describes the solid waste requirements and explains your proposed design, the floor area used for separating and storing solid waste is exempt.
Converting indoor parking space area
If the only option is to convert an indoor parking space area and the property is within the areas shaded in red on Figure 6a of the Zoning and Parking Bylaw, there is an exemption that allows a reduction of up to two parking stalls from the minimum requirement.
This is only permitted if the spaces are used for sorting and storing solid waste to comply with Whistler’s Solid Waste Bylaw requirements and you have a Solid Waste Management Plan.
Submiting a development permit application
Download the development permit application package (PDF).
Development permit application requirements are extensive. If you want to build an addition to an existing building or a new waste collection building, submit the following for the initial review:
- Completed application form and fee (with agent’s authorization, title documents and necessary signatures)
- Site plan showing the dimensions of the existing building and the distance to the property lines
- A description of the proposed building (or proposed modifications), including building height, building dimensions, floor area, siding material, roof material and siting information (including distance to property lines). Refer to the Solid Waste Wildlife-Proof Enclosure guidelines (PDF);
- A description of any changes to the site, such as the loss of a parking stall or any changes to the landscaping
- A Solid Waste Management Plan (PDF) that describes the requirements and provides a rationale for the proposed design
The Planning Department will review the initial application. If needed, they will ask for more information.
Contact
Planning Department
604-935-8170
planning@whistler.ca