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# Planning & Zoning
Home / Planning and Zoning
### Department overview
The Planning department manages applications for development permits, rezoning land, varying bylaw requirements, and amending the Official Community Plan. The Director of Planning is authorized by Council to issue Development Permits and Sign Permits that conform to the Official Community Plan.
**The Planning Department maintains two key documents for the City:**
1. The City's Official Community Plan and
2. Langford's Land Use Regulation - Zoning Bylaw No. 300.
Related document: LGCAP 2025 Survey
The Official Community Plan (OCP) provides guidance and direction on a variety of topics, from land use and urban design, to housing, transportation, and community facilities. The OCP helps Council, staff and citizens make decisions on where to locate housing, identify transportation priorities, and the provision of municipal services. The Zoning Bylaw establishes regulations for the development of land in the City of Langford.
Contact the Planning Department
### Types of permit applications
Learn more about the roles, processes, plans and responsibilities for developing property in the City of Langford.
## Form and Character Development Permits (duplex, multi-family, and small lot residential)
* FAQ
* Process Guide
* Application Form
## Carriage and Garden Suite Development Permits
* Process Guide
* Application Form
## Environmental and Hazardous Conditions Development Permits
* FAQ
* Process Guide
* Application Form
## Rezoning and OCP Amendment Process
* FAQ - Rezoning
* FAQ - OCP Amendment
* Process Guide
* Application Form
## Development Variance Permit Process
* FAQ
* Process Guide
* Application Form
## Temporary Use Permits
* FAQ
* Process Guide
* Application Form
## Tree Exemptions and Permits
Please see the Tree Removal page for more information.
## ALR Applications
(Coming Soon)
## General Land Use Application
* FAQ
* Application Form
### Application forms
The Planning department oversees applications for rezoning land or varying bylaw requirements through the Development Variance Permit process.
Please use this form to apply for the following:
* Development Permit
* Development Variance Permit
* Temporary use Permit
* Duplex
* Rezoning
* OCP Amendment
Please use this **form** to apply for:
* Sign Permit
### Secondary suites
The following has been prepared as an informational guide for persons wishing to better understand the process for creating a secondary suite in an existing home. It provides general information and is not intended to replace the Zoning Bylaw or BC Building Code requirements. If you require further information or clarification, please contact the City of Langford at (250) 478-7882.
## What is a secondary suite?
A secondary suite is an additional dwelling unit located within a building of residential occupancy containing only one other dwelling unit.
## Property requirements
* The property must be zoned for a single-family dwelling with a secondary suite and meet the minimum lot size requirement
* The property must be connected to municipal sewer (or in some cases future connection secured through S.219 covenant)
* Only one secondary suite per dwelling is allowed
* The property must be owner-occupied
* One off-street parking space must be provided for the exclusive use of the occupants of the suite, in addition to the required off-street parking for the principal dwelling
Please contact the Planning Department for land use regulations related specifically to your property.
## Secondary suites and the BC building code
The secondary suite regulations of the BC Building Code were designed for the construction of safe, affordable accommodation within new and existing houses. These standards are more forgiving than those required for multi-family construction, providing flexibility without compromising occupant safety.
Secondary suites in new construction are reviewed during the planning, application and construction process for full compliance with the Building Code, while conversions in existing houses are reviewed on an individual basis. The basic requirements are as follows:
* The dwelling must be owner-occupied
* The secondary suite cannot be strata titled to form a duplex. You must register a covenant at Land Titles to ensure future owners are aware of this restriction
**Construction requirements are as follows:**
* Heating and ventilation systems cannot be interconnected
* The suite must be separated from the remainder of the house by a 30-minute fire separation unless the building is sprinklered
* There must be an interconnected photovoltaic smoke alarm in the house and the suite in addition to the independent alarms, unless the building is sprinklered
* The entry door to the suite must be a swing door, not a slider
* Every bedroom must have windows with an opening area of at least 3.8 ft2, with a minimum 15" in width or height. Windows must be openable from the inside without tools or special knowledge
* Stairs and corridors must be a minimum of 34" wide
* The minimum ceiling height must be 6′-7"
## Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) Process Flow Chart
Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) Process Flow Chart
### Subdividing
A subdivision is the legal mechanism towards the creation of new parcels of land. It involves the division of an existing parcel into two or more parcels and can include re-alignment of existing property lines, creation of building and bare land strata lots, long-term leases (three years or more), building stratas, and air space parcels.
Learn More
### Short-term rentals
The Short-Term Rental Accommodation Act has received royal assent. The City of Langford does not currently regulate short-term rentals; however, property owners are encouraged to visit the Provincial website for further information. Provincial Government Policy Guidance.
### Related documents
Design Guidelines
PDF
Development and Servicing Bylaw 1000 (full document)
PDF
Environmental Development Permit Area Guidelines
PDF
Exclusion from the ALR
PDF
Fees, DCCs, and Amenities
PDF
Housing Needs Assessment Report
PDF
Housing Strategy
PDF
Housing Target Progress Form (Reporting Period 1.1: September 1, 2025 - February 28, 2026)
PDF
Land Use Application Form
PDF
Langford LGCAP Survey Submission
PDF
Official Community Plan
PDF
Sign Bylaw
PDF
Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) Process Flow Chart
PDF
The Process Guide
PDF
Tree Permit Application Form
PDF
Tree Protection Bylaw
PDF
Tree Protection Bylaw FAQ
PDF
Urban Forest Management Plan
PDF
Zoning Bylaw
PDF
### Building Cities Better with Brent Toderian
On May 17th, 2023, the City of Langford hosted a free presentation by Brent Toderian, an internationally respected practitioner and thought leader on urbanism and city building with over 30 years of experience. He spoke about how cities like Langford can address both climate action and housing need through good urban design, active transportation, and place-making. View the recording below.
### Dr. Avi Friedman: a Vision for Downtown Langford
On March 5, 2022, the City of Langford was pleased to host a special virtual presentation by Dr. Avi Friedman, Professor of Architecture, McGill University, and author of the 2018 Vision Plan for Downtown Langford. Dr. Friedman has been an invaluable resource for the City of Langford and his ideas and expertise have helped guide and shape the way that the City functions and thrives. View the recording below.
