We want to hear from you!
Complete the online survey by April 6 to share your input on key zoning topics: click here to access.
Project Background
The Village of Kaslo is completing a legislative and compliance update to its Official Community Plan (OCP) and Zoning Bylaw. The OCP is undergoing a minor update to align with changes to provincial legislation, reflect the community’s housing needs and integrate future municipal plans. At the same time, the Zoning Bylaw is being updated to make it clearer, easier to use and consistent with the OCP. These two documents work together to help shape how our community grows over time.
What is an Official Community Plan?
An Official Community Plan is a long-term planning document that outlines the goals, policies, vision and strategies for the development of a community. It helps provide guidance and direction on topic areas such as infrastructure, housing, arts and culture, parks and economic development, environment, transportation and land use.
Why is the OCP being updated?
The Village completed a comprehensive OCP update in 2022, which set out a clear path and vision for the growth and development of Kaslo. Since then, there has been changes to provincial legislation that need to be reflected in the OCP. This includes incorporating Kaslo’s 20-year housing needs identified in the Village’s Housing Needs Report (2024). The Village has also adopted plans such as the Active Transportation Plan and the South Kaslo Development Plan which need to be reflected in the OCP.
This will be a minor update to the OCP that focuses on updating specific sections of the existing document to be compliant and meet provincial legislation, rather than drafting a new one.
What is a Zoning Bylaw?
A zoning bylaw is a legal document that regulates land use and building development within a community. It divides the community into zones and defines a set of rules for each zone, including permitted land uses and development requirements such as building size, site layout and setbacks from property lines.
Why is the Zoning Bylaw being updated?
The Zoning Bylaw and OCP work together to guide our vision for the future of Kaslo. The OCP sets the community’s overall vision, while the Zoning Bylaw is the regulatory tool used to put that vision into practice.
Updating both documents at the same time ensures they are consistent and reflect our community’s current and future needs. The Zoning Bylaw update will align the document with provincial legislation requirements and the Village’s current land management policies in the OCP. It will also aim to make the document more clear, modern and easy to use.
Community Engagement
Community members will have the opportunity to learn more about the OCP and Zoning Bylaw updates and provide feedback on key zoning topics. The engagement process will:
- Seek input from residents, community groups and organizations, local businesses and other interest holders on key zoning topics.
- Explain why the OCP is being updated and what parts will change, including information about new provincial legislation and the housing needs identified in Kaslo’s Housing Needs Report.
Get Involved
All community members are invited to participate in the upcoming engagement opportunities.
Open House
Join us at the public open house to learn more about the project, ask questions and share feedback.
- Time: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM
- Location: Kaslo Legion (403 5th St)
Community Survey
Open March 16 until April 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Click here to access.
Project Timeline
Phase 1: Project Kick-off (Winter 2026)
The first phase of this project will focus on building a strong foundation for the project. It will include a background review of the existing OCP and Zoning Bylaw, an analysis to determine the Village’s development capacity and the preparation of the Communications and Engagement Strategy.
Phase 2: Public and Interest Holder Engagement (Spring 2026)
In the second phase, we will host the first round of community engagement. This will consist of engagement activities to gather input from residents and interest holders on key zoning topics.
Phase 3: Drafting the Documents (Spring 2026)
A first draft of both the OCP and Zoning Bylaw will be developed based on findings of the background review, technical analysis and community engagement. A second round of engagement will be held to gather feedback on the draft documents, ensuring that the updates reflect the community’s interests and priorities.
A second draft of both documents will be prepared to incorporate insights from Council, Village staff and the public.
Phase 4: Finalizing the Documents (Summer 2026)
The final drafts of the OCP and the Zoning Bylaw will be presented to Council. Upon approval, both documents will be adopted.
Resources
- Village of Kaslo Official Community Plan (2022)
- Village of Kaslo Housing Needs Report (2024)
- Village of Kaslo Land Use (Zoning) Bylaw 1130
Contact Information
Questions? Email admin@kaslo.ca or phone us at 250.353.2311.