Rezoning

Before starting the application process, the applicant should verify that the application is possible. These steps include:

1. Review ideas with the neighbourhood planner.
2. Consider a pre-application meeting with staff to review the conceptual plan for the development to receive high-level guidance on key issues, policies and technical requirements.  If no pre-application meeting is held:

• Contact the Engineering and Parks Departments to discuss the required City standard for the public right of way and servicing.
• Contact the Parks Department to discuss tree protection on public and private property and required application information.
• If the land will be subdivided, apply for preliminary subdivision approval.
• Verify with Building and Inspection Services that previous work was completed under permit.
• Confirm building concept is feasible with building code requirements.

3. Contact the appropriate Community Association Land Use Committee (CALUC) and discuss preliminary meeting options with the CALUC before the community meeting is held.

4. Begin consultation with neighbours.

During this stage of the process, the CALUC may provide initial comments to the applicant. 

Before submitting a rezoning application, applicants are required to participate in an online or in-person meeting at the discretion of the neighbourhood Community Association Land Use Committee. 

Applicants must provide the following documents to the City via MyCity:

1. Completed Community Consultation Notice form signed by the Chair or a representative of the CALUC
2. Project summary letter addressed to the CALUC
3. Plans, including:
   
   • site plan
   • floor plans
   • elevations
   • photos or illustrations of the proposal in relation to neighbouring buildings
   • landscape plan
      
4. Application fee of $800, or $2,400 if an Official Community Plan amendment is proposed

The plans and project summary letter will be uploaded to the City’s Development Tracker and presented at the community meeting. The City will provide a sign template, which the applicant is responsible for fabricating and posting on the subject property.

The City will mail a notice to all neighbours within a radius of the proposal and post the application details and comment form on the Development Tracker.

Following the meeting, the CALUC may provide comments to Mayor and Council.

The applicant can revise the proposal based on community input. Bubbled plans illustrate changes made since the Community Consultation

Rezoning Application

Applicants submit their application, fees and all supporting materials to zoning@victoria.ca. Applications will not be accepted before the Community Consultation is completed, except at the discretion of the Director of Planning and Development.

City staff review the submission and send an application review summary to the applicant. The application may require revisions. The application and any revisions are shared with the CALUC.

City staff prepare a report and presentation for the Committee of the Whole, and any correspondence from the community and CALUC is attached to the staff report.

At least 10 days before the Committee of the Whole meeting, the applicant must post rezoning signs on the property.

During this meeting, staff present the application and recommendation. Committee of the Whole will review the application, and either recommend the applicant make changes, decline, refer the application to advisory committees or advance the application to a Council meeting.

Council then reviews the application and either accepts or modifies Committee of the Whole’s motion. If the recommendation is to proceed, staff prepare the necessary amendments to the Zoning Bylaw and/or the Official Community Plan.

Notice of the Council Meeting is advertised in the newspaper and mailed to neighbours within 100 metres of the proposed development. Ten days before the Council Meeting, the applicant posts a sign on the subject property, advertising the date of the Council meeting. Anyone who feels their interest in property is affected can submit written comments to Council.

If a public hearing is held, anyone who feels their interest in property is affected may speak. 

Council then votes to approve or decline the relevant bylaws and relevant permits (e.g., development permit).