Board of Variance

According to the Local Government Act, a municipality that has adopted a zoning bylaw must establish a Board of Variance to allow people to request relief from the provisions of that bylaw. A person may apply to the Board for a minor variance if they feel compliance with the bylaw would cause them hardship. The Board of Variance is a quasi-judicial board consisting of three volunteers from the community appointed by Council. 

Board of Variance Focus

The board of variance focuses primarily on hardship relating to matters such as siting, dimensions and size of buildings. A board of variance order cannot conflict with Land Title Act covenants or deal with matters in land use permits, land use contracts, floodplain bylaw specifications or phased development agreements.

Meetings: The Board of Variance proposes to meeting the first Wednesday of every month on as as needed basis. For detailed information, please visit the City's Community Calendar page.  Meetings of the Board of Variance are open to the public and only held as business needs arise.

Staff Contact: 

• Anne Berry, Director of Planning and Development, Staff Liaison, 604.465.2425
• Alex Wallace, Manager of Community Development, 604.460.6726
• Allison Dominelli, Development Services Technician, 604.465.2433
• Tatiana McCaw, Committee Clerk ll, 604.460.6711                                                                                                                                               
• Development Services l 604.465.2428

For more information regarding the Board of Variance please see below:

• Board of Variance Bylaw
• City Committee Council Policy C102
• Development Servies - Guide to Board of Variance Applications
• Board of Variance Application Form 
• Local Government Planning & Land Use Regulations - Board of Variance