Wildfire Protection OCP Amendments
The SLRD received $11,500 in funding from the Community Resilience Investment (CRI) program to complete bylaw and policy updates in support of enhanced wildfire protection and mitigation. The proposed updates are applicable in the SLRD Electoral Areas, and specifically look at development considerations as related to wildfire hazards.
The Wildfire Protection DPA updates reflect updated FireSmartTM BC nomenclature; reformatting and updated policy language seek to add clarity and consistency across the Offical Community Plans. While Planning and Development Services has been the lead on this project, Protective Services secured the funding to undertake the work and has been providing project support through initial scoping and review/input.
Current Status
The SLRD Board gave first reading to the Amendment Bylaws on July 23, 2025. The 30-day referral period to affected agencies and governments has been initiated.
Staff Reports
Wildfire Protection Policy and DPA Updates (Areas A, B, C & D) - First Reading - July 23, 2025 SLRD Board Meeting
Wildfire Landscaping Management Bylaw
Wildfire Protection and Mitigation is an important planning consideration in the SLRD. The SLRD Wildfire Landscaping Management Bylaw seeks to increase community resiliency to wildfire hazards by addressing landscaping practices in close proximity to buildings and structures. The SLRD Wildfire Landscaping Management Bylaw is a new bylaw, that will work alongside the SLRD Wildfire Protection Development Permit Areas (DPAs), providing a tool to address landscaping where building permits are not involved. The bylaw supports implementation of the FireSmartTM BC landscaping best practices. Refer to the staff report for additional background.
SLRD Wildfire Landscaping Management Bylaw No. 1925-2025
Temporary Use Permit Conditions
The SLRD Temporary Use Permit (TUP) Policy 4.7 has been updated to add conditions specific to wildfire hazards, which may be implemented through the issuance of TUPs, where necessary. It should be noted that TUPs are exempt from development permits areas, including the Wildfire Protection Development Permit Areas (DPAs). The updated TUP policy addresses this gap. The approach and language are aligned with FireSmartTM BC and the SLRD Official Community Plan Wildfire Protection Development Permit Areas.
Updates:
Generally, TUPs will specify conditions as to how the use should be conducted. These conditions may address visual impacts, noise, dust, drainage, nuisance, safety or any other potential impacts. The additional considerations specific to wildfire hazards will create consistency when setting conditions for TUPs, increasing community resiliency to wildfire hazards. The policy language states that applicants may be asked to complete a FireSmartTM BC Wildfire Mitigation Program assessment and that TUP issuance may be subject to additional conditions – non-combustible roofing materials, landscaping, etc. – as per the SLRD Wildfire Protection DPAs guidelines. Wildfire Protection and Mitigation conditions will not be relevant or necessary for all TUPs; it will be at the recommendation of staff and discretion of the SLRD Board when considering applications and issuance. Refer to the staff report for additional background.