Planning your project

GIS: Property zoning, legal description and mapping system

The Whistler Map can be used to find information about your property that will help with the Building Permit process.

The Whistler Map is a resource designed to find information about a property that will be required during the Building Permit process. This typically means you are:

filling out your permit application and need to know the legal description and parcel identification number (PID);
interested in finding the zoning of your property; and
want to know if any there are environmental concerns on your property (i.e. Riparian Area).

Legal Description and PID

To find the legal description and PID for a property:

Open the Whistler Map and use the Search function to locate the property by the civic address.
Look for the legal description and PID in the information panel to the left of the map.

Property Zoning

To find the zoning of a property:

Open the Whistler Map and use the Search function to locate the property by the civic address.
Look for the zoning of the property at the bottom of the information panel to the left of the map.
Click the orange Bylaw Link to open a PDF of the zoning regulations.

Official Community Plan - Development Permit Areas

If you are planning any exterior alterations, and your property lies within a Development Permit Area, a Development Permit may be required.

To determine if your property is within a Development Permit Area:

Open the Whistler Map and from the left side panel select the ‘Layers’ tab.
Within the layers list, turn on the ‘OCP’ group by checking the box next to the group name.
Then expand the OCP group by clicking the ‘+’ next to the group name.
Under the OCP group, check the box next to ‘Development Permit Areas’.
Expand the 'Development Permit Areas' group by clicking the ‘+’ next to the group name.
Then check the boxes next to each Development Permit Area to determine if your property falls within that Development Permit Area.

If your property is within a development permit area, and you are planning to make exterior changes, contact the Planning Department at planning@whistler.ca to determine if a Development Permit is required.

Planning department approvals

Approval from the Planning Department may be required prior to issuance of a Building Permit. To learn more about Planning Department approvals, including Development Permits, Development Variance Permits, etc., visit the Planning Department webpage.

To determine if your property falls within a Development Permit Area, see GIS: Property zoning, legal description and mapping system (above).

BC Building Code & RMOW Zoning: Interpretations and explanations

Review these bulletins for details about specific BC Building Code and RMOW Zoning requirements and regulations.

Gross Floor Area Calculations
Roof Height Calculations
In-ground Basement Floor Area Exclusions
Determining Grade*
Legitimizing Illegally Construction Basement Area (In existence prior to May 12, 2012)*
Auxiliary Residential Dwelling Units (Secondary Suites)*
Energy Efficiency Requirements*
Requirements for Roofs, Decks and Garages Over Living Space*
Solar Hot Water Ready Regulation*

*Technical bulletins coming soon! In the meantime, review the Builder's Information Package for information on the topics below.

If you still have questions after reviewing the above bulletins, please email specific questions to buildingdept@whistler.ca. Include address of property in question and be as detailed as possible. If applicable, include drawings/photos.

BC Energy Step Code

Building Permit applications for new Part 9 residential buildings are required to meet BC Energy Step Code:

Step 3 of the Energy Step Code will apply to all new Part 9 residential buildings.
Step 4 of the Energy Step Code will apply to all new Part 9 residential buildings on properties applying for rezoning to increase density or permit additional uses, and any new residential buildings that include construction of additional in-ground basement floor area excluded from gross floor area calculations.

Click here for more information on the BC Energy Step Code and application requirements.

Tree cutting and tree preservation areas

Prior to removing any trees over 15cm in diameter, the owner may need RMOW permission or a Tree Cutting Permit. Cases in which RMOW permission or a Tree Cutting Permit may be required include:

The property in question is within a Development Permit Area and is not exempt from the requirement to obtain a development permit as per Part 5, “General Regulations”, Section 28 (2) of RMOW Zoning and Parking Bylaw No. 303, 2015,

The property in question has a Land Use Contract associated with it,
The property in question is covered by a Tree Preservation Covenant, or
The tree in question is within 20m of the Highway 99 right-of-way.

For situations where one of the above criteria apply, the owner or their authorized representative will need to contact the RMOW before proceeding. In all cases, if the tree is in a riparian area (within 30m of a stream/waterbody), the owner will need to adhere to the Provincial Riparian Areas Regulation.

If RMOW permission or a Tree Cutting Permit will be required, and any tree in question is within 3 m of a building envelope or setback, please provide a site plan prepared by a surveyor.

Please visit www.whistler.ca/trees to learn more about the particular circumstances of a property, and who to contact at the RMOW.