Development Permits

Protection of the natural environment, it's ecosystem and biological diversity;
Protection of development from hazardous conditions;
Revitalization of an area in which a commercial use is permitted;
Establishment of objectives for the form and character of commercial, industrial or multi-family development; and
Establishment of objectives for the form and character of intensive residential development.

When is a Development Permit Required?

A Development Permit is required for development on land when:

The land is wholly or partially located within a Development Permit Area; and
The following types of development activities are proposed on the land:

Development Permit Area	Type of Proposed Development
Development Permit Area	Altering land	Construction of, addition to, or alteration of a building or structure	Subdivision of land	Closing in storefront windows with display walls or cabinets that impede views into a store
Protection of Riparian Ecosystems	Yes	Yes	Yes
Protection of Sensitive Ecosystems	Yes	Yes	Yes
Aquifer Protection	Yes	Yes	Yes
Whistler Village	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Whistler Creek	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Commercial/Industrial		Yes	Yes
Multi-family Residential		Yes	Yes
Intensive Residential		Yes	Yes
Industrial		Yes	Yes
Wildfire	Yes	Yes	Yes

Is my property in a Development Permit Area?

To find out if your property is in a Development Permit Area, go to Whistler Map, search for your property by address, then turn on the Layers tab, click on the OCP layer, then Development Permit Areas layer, then the individual DPA schedules. A property may be in more than one Development Permit Area.

If your property is located within a Development Permit Area, determine if an exemption applies for your type of development within either the OCP Development Permit Area Guidelines applicable to your property or Part 5, Section 28 of Zoning and Parking Bylaw 303, 2015. If an exemption does not apply, a Development Permit is required.

If a Development Permit is not required, you may still require:

Planning approval pursuant to a Land Use Contract (LUC) if your property is regulated by a LUC;
A Building Permit prior to construction where applicable;
A Tree Cutting Permit prior to cutting, topping or limbing a tree within 20 metres of the Highway 99 right of way or a tree within a registered tree covenant area; and/or
A Bylaw Variance if your proposal is inconsistent with applicable bylaws.

Application Process

Follow the two steps below to apply for a Development Permit:

If your property is in a Development Permit Area and your development does not qualify for an exemption (see When is a Development Permit Required above), call 604-935-8170 to schedule a pre-application meeting with Planning Department staff. Staff will review application requirements and provide information on the approval process.
Submit the relevant Development Permit Application and fees.

Review Process

Upon receipt by the Planning Department, your application will be assigned to a file manager in the Planning Department. The file manager will assess the application for completeness, review the application against applicable regulations and Development Permit Area guidelines, and refer the application to other affected municipal departments. The application will also be referred to the municipality’s Advisory Design Panel in circumstances required by the Advisory Design Panel terms of reference.

Less complex Development Permit applications may be approved and issued by the General Manager of Resort Experience. More complex developments require Council approval of issuance and may take longer to assess. Refer to the Land Use Procedures and Fees Bylaw.

Development Permits issued may include any development conditions permitted by the Local Government Act, as appropriate to the Development Permit Area and development in question. Development Permits are registered on title; therefore the specified conditions and requirements that development must adhere to “run with the land”, remaining in force until rescinded by the issuance of a new Development Permit.

Fees

The following application fees apply:

Development Permit Application – Delegated to staff	$300
Development Permit Application – Non Delegated to staff	$750

In addition to the application fee, the rates below will be applied to all applications to cover the RMOW's direct costs of processing, reporting, analysis and inspection related to the application:

Professional staff time	$60 per hour
Clerical staff time	$30 per hour
Title Search	$21
Hand-delivered notification	$40 per hour
Legal services, newspaper ads, third party consulting	At cost