
On Monday, January 13, 2025, Council adopted Zoning and OCP Bylaw amendments to allow for changes to housing regulations in agricultural and rural areas. The Zoning Bylaw amendment was adopted to permit the expansion of housing options in the A1 and RE zones and to align with ALC recommendations on housing density. The changes to agricultural and rural zones permit a primary residence with either a secondary suite OR detached accessory dwelling on lots less than 1ha and allow both a secondary suite AND detached accessory dwelling on properties 1ha or larger.
The OCP Bylaw Amendment was adopted to include Farm Protection Development Permit Guidelines to help mitigate potential negative impacts on farmland. These guidelines only apply to Agriculture Designated lands. The Guidelines apply to the construction of detached accessory dwelling units on agriculturally zoned lands (ALR) to support the protection of farming operations and farmland that has good arable soil. In addition to the Zoning and OCP Bylaw amendments, an amendment to the Delegation Bylaw was given third reading. If the Delegation Bylaw amendment is adopted at the next available Council meeting, it would allow staff to approve applications to construct a detached accessory dwelling unit in agricultural areas.
Previous Updates
Background
Housing in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) & on rural properties
As a result of provincial changes in legislation for the Agricultural Land Reserve local governments may now consider permitting up to three (3) dwelling units on a single property in the form of:
- a principal dwelling,
- a secondary suite in the principal dwelling, and
- a detached accessory dwelling having a 90m2 maximum floor area (cottage or carriage house).
In Central Saanich, this could affect up to approximately 1,097 properties (487 zoned rural and 610 zoned agricultural).
Currently in our Agriculture zones only a secondary suite is permitted and within most of the Rural Estate zones either a secondary suite or detached cottage or carriage house is permitted, with a 90m2 maximum floor area.