The B.C. government has warned the District of Sooke that its zoning bylaws must be updated within 30 days to comply with provincial legislation aimed at increasing housing density B次元官网网址� or the province will step in directly.
In a letter to Mayor Maja Tait and council, Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said Sooke has yet to update its zoning bylaws to meet the requirements of Bill 44 under the Local Government Act.
The bill, designed to address British Columbia's housing crisis, mandates that municipalities adopt zoning policies allowing for greater residential density.
B次元官网网址淭he province is taking necessary steps to ensure that the District of Sooke complies with Bill 44 to create more homes for people,B次元官网网址� Kahlon said.
If Sooke fails to meet the deadline, the provincial government plans to issue a ministerial order to enforce compliance. The order would impose zoning changes, including identifying housing types, densities, and specific locations in zones currently classified as restricted.
The province flagged several zoning classifications in Sooke as non-compliant, including RU4, R1, R2, R3, CD1, CD2, and CD5. These zones currently fail to meet the provincial requirement of a minimum of three or four housing units per parcel, depending on their designation.
The letter noted limited exemptions, such as for parcels outside urban containment boundaries or those meeting specific criteria under the Local Government Act. However, the overall expectation is that Sooke align its bylaws with provincial standards to allow higher-density housing.
During council discussion at Monday's meeting, Tait acknowledged the challenges posed by the directive, particularly regarding restricted zones.
B次元官网网址淭here are reasons why the restricted zones are restricted,B次元官网网址� Tait said. B次元官网网址淔or the ministry to open up all those zones would be challenging. I feel itB次元官网网址檚 a very medieval approach, but we do need to look at adopting this bylaw.B次元官网网址�
She also noted that the provinceB次元官网网址檚 mandate could conflict with SookeB次元官网网址檚 official community plan (OCP), particularly regarding density-related policies. Council has requested a staff report to clarify the implications of the bylaw changes.
Tait, supported by Coun. Kevin Pearson, introduced a motion for council to formally acknowledge the ministerB次元官网网址檚 letter, direct staff to prepare a report outlining the impact of the provinceB次元官网网址檚 directive, and draft a bylaw. The motion schedules the report for review at the Feb. 17 committee of the whole meeting, one day before the provinceB次元官网网址檚 deadline.
B次元官网网址淭his report will help council understand the full impact of the ministryB次元官网网址檚 plan and determine whether to move forward with adopting the bylaw,B次元官网网址� Tait said.
The provincial push for increased housing density aligns with guidelines promoting small-scale multi-unit housing, which aim to make housing more affordable through higher-density developments.
The letter also reminded Sooke that local governments cannot use development permits, land-use regulations, or heritage designations to obstruct housing densities required under Bill 44.
If Sooke fails to act within 30 days, Kahlon warned the province would issue a ministerial order to force compliance. This action would significantly increase minimum housing densities in affected areas, effectively overriding local zoning authority.
The provinceB次元官网网址檚 move is part of a larger strategy to address B.C.B次元官网网址檚 housing shortage by requiring municipalities to adopt higher-density residential zoning.
