Planning & Development Services

If your planned development does not conform with the zoning of the property, you will require a rezoning. The rezoning process involves Council approval, and includes a public hearing. The City’s Zoning Map can be found below in the Maps section. 

Rezoning Process:

1. Research OCP and Zoning regulations, contact Development Services, and engage a designer.
2. Submit the application form with the proposed site plan and rendering, and pay the application fee and sign deposit fee.
3. Planning staff will coordinate the creation of signage, which must be posted on the subject property to inform the community of the proposed rezoning.
4. The application is reviewed by the Planning & Development team.
5. Planning staff forward the application to other departments and outside agencies for referral.
6. If revisions are required, you will be notified of the necessary changes.
7. Planning staff present a report to Council, requesting 1st and 2nd Reading.
8. If the application receives 1st & 2nd Reading, a Public Hearing is scheduled and advertised by City staff.
9. You will need to update the sign on the property by adding the Public Hearing date.
10. The Public Hearing is held. Council can opt to give the rezoning 3rd Reading or defer to a future date.
11. If 3rd Reading is received, and where applicable, the proposed rezoning is forwarded to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for review.
12. If MOTI approves, Planning staff bring a report to Council to request final adoption.
13. Following approval, you must remove the signage from the property and your sign deposit is refunded.

Processing times for rezonings vary depending on the complexity of the project, completeness of the application and the number of applications currently being processed. In general, rezonings are normally completed within 6 months of receipt of a complete application.  However, due to the current number of applications, longer processing times should be expected. 

Note: Subdivision or Development Permit applications will be accepted concurrently with Rezoning applications. 

The City’s Subdivision & Development Servicing Bylaw and Zoning Bylaw set out the regulations for subdivisions. Subdivision applications are reviewed by Planning staff. 

Subdivision Process 

Step 1 – Research OCP, Zoning and Subdivision & Development Servicing regulations, Contact Development Services, and Engage a surveyor. 

Step 2 – Submit the application form with a sketch plan, and pay fees. 

Step 3 – Application is reviewed by the Planning & Development team. 

Step 4 – Planning staff forward the application to other departments and outside agencies for referral. Complex proposals may also be sent out for engineering and/ or legal review. 

Step 5 – Planning staff draft a Preliminary Layout Review (PLR) letter, which outlines the conditions that are required to receive approval. 

Step 6 – Upon completion of all PLR conditions, Planning staff will request that your surveyor prepare a final plan for deposit. 

Step 7 – Once the final plan and corresponding Land Titles form are received, Planning staff will review the final plan and sign the form. 

Step 8 – You or your lawyer must register the final plan at Land Titles. 

Processing times for subdivisions vary depending on the complexity of the project, completeness of the application, the time you require to complete the PLR conditions, and the number of applications currently being processed. In general, subdivisions are normally approved within 6 – 12 months of receipt of a complete application.  Due to the current number of applications, it is taking longer than normal to issue PLRs (up to 6 months). 

Note: PLR conditions must be achieved within one year. If you require additional time, you can apply for a one-time PLR extension of one additional year, which will be considered by Planning staff. 

If you plan to build a multiple unit residential, commercial or industrial development, you may require a Development Permit (DP). DPs are processed by Planning staff. The Development Permit Areas Map can be found below in the Maps section.

Development Permit Process 

Step 1 – Research OCP and Zoning regulations, Contact Development Services, and Engage a designer. 

Step 2 – Submit application form with site plan, landscape plan, and elevation drawings, and pay fees. 

Step 3 – Application is reviewed by the Planning & Development team. 

Step 4 – If deemed necessary, Planning Staff will coordinate the creation of signage to be installed on the subject property to notify the community of the proposed development and payment of the sign deposit fee. 

Step 5 – Planning staff forward the application to other departments and outside agencies for referral. 

Step 6 – If revisions are required, you will be notified of the necessary changes. 

Step 7 – Permit is issued, enabling processing of your Building Permit. 

Step 8 – Following permit issuance, you must remove the signage from the property and your sign deposit is refunded. 

Step 9 – Planning staff register the DP at Land Titles. 

Processing times for DPs vary depending on the complexity of the project, completeness of the application and the number of applications currently being processed. In general, DPs are normally issued within 3 months of receipt of a complete application.  Due to the current number of applications, it is taking longer than normal to issue DPs (up to 6 months). 

Note: Building Permit applications will be accepted concurrently with Development Permit applications. However, the Building Permit cannot be issued until the Development Permit process is completed. 

The Official Community Plan includes a number of development permit areas (DPA’s) which guide development in the city. If you own land within a Development Permit Area, a Development Permit is required prior to development. 

City-wide development permit areas have been established under the OCP for: 

• City Centre 

• Urban Village 

• Airport 

• Multiple Unit Residential 

• Mixed Use 

• Commercial 

• Industrial 

• Agricultural Interface 

• Geotechnical, Steep Slope and Mining Hazards 

• Wildfire Hazards 

• Riparian 

We recognize this is a new process for several builders, developers and property owners in Merritt and we appreciate your understanding as we work through these new regulations together. Please review the maps and the City of Merritt’s GIS mapping tool to determine which development permit areas apply to you. If you are unsure if you require a development permit, please contact the planning and development department. 

If your planned development does not comply with bylaw regulations, including the Zoning Bylaw or Subdivision & Development Servicing Bylaw, you can apply for a variance (DVP). Council will decide whether to approve the permit. However, a Development Variance Permit cannot change the permitted uses or permitted density within a given zone. 

Development Variance Permit Process 

Step 1 – Research OCP and Zoning regulations, Contact Development Services, and Engage a designer. 

Step 2 – Submit the application form with the proposed site plan and rendering, and pay the application fee and the sign deposit fee. 

Step 3 – Application is reviewed by the Planning & Development team. 

Step 4 – Planning staff forward the application to other departments and outside agencies for referral. 

Step 5 – If revisions are required, you will be notified of the necessary changes. 

Step 6 – Planning staff mail information on the proposed variance to neighbouring property owners and tenants, who may provide written comment or present in-person at the Council hearing. 

Step 7 – Planning staff present Report to Council. 

Step 8 – If the variance is approved by Council, Planning staff will issue the Permit. 

Step 9 – Planning staff register the DVP at Land Titles. 

Processing times for DVPs vary depending on the complexity of the project, completeness of the application and the number of applications currently being processed. In general, variances are normally completed within 3 months of receipt of a complete application.  However, due to the current number of applications, longer processing times should be expected. 

Note: Development Permit applications will be accepted concurrently with Development Variance Permit applications. 

Development Cost Charges are set out in the Development Cost Charges Bylaw. 

The DCC Background Report contains information on projects and calculations that informed the DCC Bylaw.