Development

I am considering adding a secondary suite.
What do I need to do?

Determine if your property would be suitable for a secondary suite. Secondary suites are permitted in most Colwood single family homes. More information on what is permitted in your zone is available in the Colwood Land Use Bylaw. 

Review the Adding a Suite Checklist for key requirements to consider when planning your secondary suite, including those listed below.

• The maximum size for a secondary suite is 90m2 (968ft2) or 40% of the gross floor area of the existing home, whichever is less. 
• An additional unobstructed parking space must be provided for each suite. 
• A secondary suite must have a separate dedicated entrance/exit. 

More information about the requirements around secondary suites can be found in the Colwood Land Use Bylaw and the Off-Street Parking Regulations Bylaw.  Suites will also be subject to BC Building Code requirements for fire and life safety (e.g. smoke detectors).

Take advantage of BC funding for your secondary suite

The Province of BC has announced a new program to provide forgivable loans of up to $40k to homeowners to build a secondary suite on their property. 
Click to learn more! 

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Secondary Suite FAQs 

The City understands there is a housing crisis and wherever possible accommodates creating new dwelling units or bringing existing ones into compliance (where the property is zoned for that use, and it is safe to do so). You are not committed to anything by reaching out to ask questions. For zoning related questions, please reach out to planning@colwood.ca and for building questions, please reach out to building@colwood.ca Alternatively you can phone our general line and be directed to the appropriate staff member 250-478-7516.

Q-What do I need to build a new secondary suite in an existing house?

A- The first step is to confirm that your property is zoned for the intended use. Please reference the Adding a Suite Checklist [PDF/571KB] [PDF/571KB] to familiarize yourself with zoning requirements such as permitted size and parking to be provided. Once you have confirmed what you intend to do is possible, please submit a completed building permit application and plans. The plans required for this application are outlined in the chart on the main page for building permits. While you are able to submit drawings on your own, a designer or contractor who is familiar with zoning/building code requirements can save you time.

Q- What do I need to bring my existing secondary suite into compliance if there is no record of it or I want to confirm it is safe to occupy?

A- Please follow the steps outlined in the first FAQ answer. You are not committed to anything by reaching out to inquire. If you are zoned for that use and parking can be provided on the property, the city approaches existing suites on a case by case basis and works with the property owner to ensure the key life and safety requirements are in place. Examples of what those requirements may be are smoke alarms, egress requirements, and operational exhaust fans.

Q-I have a class ll secondary suite permit, does this mean my suite is legal?

A- At one time the City issued “class two” secondary suite permits. This was a declaration provided by the homeowner that the secondary suite met the basic zoning and building code requirements. The City no longer issues class two secondary suite permits or requires them to be renewed. They are no longer valid as that bylaw has been repealed. Because of this, the City is unable to confirm the suites legitimacy unless there is record of a building permit but does not consider existing ones to be an issue unless we are made aware of safety concerns. It is important for the property owner to know that a class two permit should not be taken as assurance that there were inspections to confirm the key life and safety aspects are in place. If you would like to confirm those are in place or require proof of the suites legitimacy, we encourage you to follow the steps explained in the second FAQ answer on this page.   

Have more questions about secondary suites? 

Talk to Development Services staff at 250-294-8153 or planning@colwood.ca to confirm that your property is suitable for a secondary suite, review the Adding a Suite Checklist, [PDF/571KB] [PDF/571KB] or discuss any other secondary suite requirements. 

For more information on the Building Permit requirements and process for secondary suite, please contact our Building Department at building@colwood.ca. 

I am considering building a garden suite. 
What do I need to do?

Determine if your property would be suitable for a garden suite. Garden suites are permitted in most Colwood residential zones. More information on what is permitted in your zone is available in the Colwood Land Use Bylaw. 

Review the Adding a Suite Checklist [PDF/571KB] [PDF/571KB] for key requirements to consider when planning your garden suite, including those listed below.

• The maximum size for a garden suite is 90m² (968ft²) or 40% of the gross floor area of the existing home, whichever is less. 
• An additional unobstructed parking space must be provided for each suite. 

Property owners may convert an existing accessory building if it meets policy guidelines, or build something new. Garden suites must go through an application process for approval. 

More information about the requirements around garden suites can be found in the Colwood Land Use Bylaw, where they are referred to as Accessory Dwelling Units, and in the Off-Street Parking Bylaw. Suites will also be subject to BC Building Code requirements for fire and life safety (e.g. smoke detectors).

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Garden Suite FAQs 

The City understands there is a housing crisis and wherever possible accommodates creating new dwelling units or bringing existing ones into compliance (where the property is zoned for that use, and it is safe to do so). You are not committed to anything by reaching out to ask questions. For zoning related questions, please reach out to planning@colwood.ca and for building questions, please reach out to building@colwood.ca Alternatively you can phone our general line and be directed to the appropriate staff member 250-478-7516. 

Q- What do I need to build a new accessory dwelling unit? (commonly referred to as garden suite)

A- The first step is to confirm that your property is zoned for the intended use. Please reference the Adding a Suite Checklist [PDF/571KB] [PDF/571KB] to familiarize yourself with zoning requirements such as permitted gross floor area, parking and to confirm whether a development permit is required please reach out to planning@colwood.ca. Once you have confirmed what you intend to do is possible, please submit a completed building permit application and plans. The plans required for this application are outlined in the chart on the main page for building permits and the plans and documentation needed would be the same as what is required for a regular single-family dwelling. Hiring a designer or contractor who is familiar with zoning/building code requirements can save you time with application process.

Q- What do I need to convert an existing accessory building to an accessory dwelling unit? (commonly referred to as garden suite)

A- Please follow the steps outlined in the first FAQ answer. You are not committed to anything by reaching out to inquire. If you are zoned for that use and parking can be provided on the property, the city approaches these proposed conversions on a case by case basis. A city building official will attend the site free of charge to determine the extent of what is needed and will provide a summarized list for you to consider without any sort of commitment.

Have more questions about garden suites? 

Talk to Development Services staff at 250-294-8153 or planning@colwood.ca to confirm that your property is suitable for a garden suite, review the Adding a Suite Checklist [PDF/571KB] [PDF/571KB], or discuss any other garden suite requirements. 

For more information on the Building Permit requirements and process for garden suites, please contact our Building Department at building@colwood.ca. 

What are Development Cost Charges? 

Development Cost Charges (DCCs) are fees collected from land developers on a user pay basis to help fund the cost of growth-related infrastructure and parks. The rate charged reflects the impact growth has on infrastructure and parks; the greater the impact, the larger the charge. This helps ensure developers pay their fair share of the costs required to develop new infrastructure.

Currently, the City has adopted four DCC bylaws which authorize collection of the following charges:

• Park Acquisition Development Cost Charges, Bylaw 2037 - Adopted Oct. 28, 2024
• Park Improvement Development Cost Charges, Bylaw 1990 - Adopted Oct. 10, 2023
• Roads Development Cost Charges, Bylaw 1836 - Adopted Sep. 27, 2021 (Minor Amendment Adopted Jun. 24, 2024)
• Sewer Enhancement Development Cost Charges, Bylaw 1500 - Adopted Nov. 29, 2011 (last amended May 8, 2023)

The City of Colwood collects development cost charges on behalf of the CRD’s Juan De Fuca Water Distribution in accordance with Development Cost Charges, Bylaw 2758 Consolidated Bylaw Amendment 4669 – Adopted May 15, 2025.

The City of Colwood collects school acquisition charges on behalf of School District 62 (Bylaw No. 2019-01, Adopted June 25, 2019). The collection of these charges is authorized by Section 572 of the Local Government Act

Who pays DCC's?

DCC's are paid by applicants (developers) for:

• Subdivision approval to create single family lots; and
• Building permits to construct multi-family, commercial, industrial or institutional developments.

What do DCC's fund?

DCC's are used to pay for capital upgrades to sanitary, water, drainage, and transportation systems that are needed to support growth. They are also used to acquire and develop parkland.  

What do DCC's not pay for?

DCC's are regulated by the province and cannot be used to pay for operational costs, maintenance costs, infrastructure upgrades required to service the existing population and/or new facilities such as fire hall, libraries, etc.

How does the City set DCC rates?

DCC rates are calculated by dividing the cost of growth-related infrastructure and parks by the amount of anticipated growth.

When are DCC's payable?

Do building additions or redevelopment of an existing building trigger DCC contributions?

For projects where an existing building undergoes an expansion or redevelopment there is usually an additional growth-related demand placed on City infrastructure and park requirements. Therefore, in these circumstances, the developer will be required to pay applicable DCCs based on the additional units or floor area created by an expansion or redevelopment in accordance with the rates in the current DCC bylaws.

Can DCC's be paid in installments?

As of Jan 1, 2026, DCCs and School Site Acquisition Charges can be paid by installments under the authority of Ministerial Regulation #166/84. 

If the developer choses to pay by installments the following requirements must be adhered to. 

1. Prior to subdivision approval or building permit issuance, (depending on when DCCs are payable) the developer must pay ¼ of the charge, and deposit a Letter of Credit or on-demand surety bond with the City for the remaining ¾ of the charge.
2. The remaining balance must be paid either 4 years from the date of subdivision approval or building permit issuance, or 15 business days after all occupancy permits have been issued, and the City has given written notice to the developer that the remaining payment is due, whichever comes first.  

IMPORTANT: Letters of Credit must be in a form acceptable to the City Treasurer-Collector and must be drawn by a chartered bank, credit union or trust company with an office in the Capital Regional District where draws against the Letter of Credit will be honoured. They must not require the City to prove a claim in any manner, and will stipulate that sight drafts will be accepted if tendered within the allowed dates

Prior to Jan 1, 2026, payment by installment under the authority of Ministerial Regulation #166/84 is ONLY allowed when the total of a given DCC exceeds $50,000. No underlying agreement between the developer/builder and the City is necessary, but the following list of requirements must be strictly adhered to:

1. Before the subdivision application is approved or the building permit issued, as the case may be, the developer must: 

   (a) Pay one third (⅓) of the DCC's to be levied to the City; and 

   (b) Provide a Letter of Credit to the City for the remaining two thirds (⅔) which is to expire no earlier than one (1) year plus 30 days from the date of payment in 1(a) above.

2. Before the first anniversary of the payment in 1(a) above, the developer must: 

   (a) Pay one third of the DCC's to the City; and 

   (b) Provide a Letter of Credit to the City for the remaining one third (⅓) which is to expire no earlier than two (2) years plus 30 days from the date of payment in 1(a) above. 

   Failure to meet these requirements will result in the total outstanding balance (i.e. two thirds of the DCC's) becoming due and payable immediately and their collection through a draw on the Letter of Credit. If such a draw is made, the final one third cannot be again considered as an installment.

3. Before the second anniversary of the payment in 1(a) above, the developer must pay the remaining one third (⅓) to the City. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the final one third being drawn under the Letter of Credit.

What is considered an in-stream application?

DCC rates come into force immediately after a Development Cost Charge Bylaw is adopted; however, the Local Government Act provides special in-stream protection from rate increases for development applications that are submitted prior to the adoption date and still under review on the adoption date.

• FINAL SUBDIVISISON APPLICATIONS - Section 511 of the LGA offers in-stream protection to final subdivision applications creating single family lots, as long as the application is received prior to or on the date of adoption of a DCC Bylaw (e.g. Oct. 28th, 2024 for Bylaw 2037).
• DPs & REZONING APPLICATIONS - Section 568 of the LGA also extends in-stream protection to rezoning and development permit applications that were submitted prior to or on the date of adoption of a new DCC Bylaw AND THAT will result in a building permit within 12 months of the adoption of the Bylaw (e.g. Oct. 28th, 2024 for Bylaw 2037). Rezoning and development permit applications are not considered in-stream if they have been adopted, issued, rejected, or withdrawn prior to the DCC Bylaw adoption date. 
• BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS – Section 568 of the LGA provides in-stream protection to complete BP application submitted prior to or on the date of adoption of a new DCC Bylaw PROVIDED THAT the permit is issued no later than 12-month passed the bylaw adoption date (e.g. Oct. 28th, 2024 for Bylaw 2037).

For additional details on in-stream protection, please consult Sections 511 and 568 of the LGA. 

Other DCC related links

• Development cost charges - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
• Development Cost Charges (DCC) Summary [PDF/3.2MB]

Colwood's Small Lot Guidelines

The intent of these guidelines is to provide direction regarding the creation of small lots and the elements of the dwelling that should be considered  to ensure high quality character and livability of neighbourhoods in Colwood. 

These Small Lot Guidelines [PDF/1.4MB] are supplemental to the Intensive Residential Development Permit Area Guidelines in the City's Official Community Plan (OCP).  All relevant sections of the OCP should be considered when small lot development is being proposed. 

Terms of Reference Overview

• The City may require one or more professionally prepared reports to assess the environmental impacts of a proposed development in accordance with the Terms of Reference linked below. The applicant is responsible for seeking clarity on expectations or approval for an alternative approach.
• The City maintains the right to review professional reports and provide feedback to the applicant for consideration.
• The City may require that a professional preparing a report is not the applicant, owner, or representative of the owner or applicant.
• The City maintains the right to retain an appropriate professional, or team of professionals, to conduct a peer review of a draft or final professional report. While not expected to be common practice, the applicant is responsible for the fees incurred by the City to complete the review.
• The City may deem a final report deficient and reject the findings of the report. In such a case, a dispute resolution agreement should be pursued with the applicant.

Terms of Reference

• Construction Environmental Mitigation Plan [PDF/594KB]
• Ecological Restoration and Habitat Enhancement Plans [PDF/0.9MB]
• Ecological Stewardship Manual [PDF/0.9MB]
• Environmental Impact Overview Report [PDF/729KB]
• Site Adaptive Design Plan [PDF/797KB]