Peer Learning Network Resource Library

This interim resource is provided for the convenience of planners and practitioners engaged in housing and related work. Please refer regularly
to the websites of the respective local governments to obtain the most up-to-date information. If you find any errors or omissions, please
contact peerlearning@pibc.bc.ca. Hyperlinks last checked on June 10, 2025.

This policy manual was developed through collaboration among the Province, local governments, tenant advocates, and representatives from the development community. We would like to thank all the participants involved in the development of this manual, including staff from various provincial government departments, local governments through British Columbia, non-profit organizations supporting tenants, and developers who provided important feedback.

*NEW* Bill 16 provides local governments with new and updated tools to enact bylaws that support proactive planning to build more housing, including affordable housing. 

As noted in the Province's press release (December 7, 2023), below are important timelines for legislation and the accompanying regulations and guides to deliver homes to people faster as part of the Province’s Homes for People action plan. Click here to read the Province's Press Release (December 7, 2023).

The Federal Government of Canada has released the final renderings, floor plan layouts, and key building details as part of the Housing Design Catalogue. The final design packages will be released this Spring in both English and French and will include drawing sets (including architectural, mechanical, electrical and structural), Class B construction cost estimates, energy modelling templates, a detailed user guide and other resources to support both builders and authorities having jurisdiction.

• Read the news release

Small Housing, in partnership with CMHC, has developed a new Gentle Density Housing Bylaw Guide to provide local governments across Canada with practical guidance on updating zoning bylaws and development regulations to encourage more gentle density / middle housing options. This is an expansion of an earlier guidebook covering British Columbia.

Available March 2025. Questions about this guide? Please contact: PLUM@gov.bc.ca

Key proactive planning changes were made to the Local Government Act (LGA) in November of 2023. This included updated requirements for Housing Needs Reports (HNRs), official community plans (OCPs), zoning bylaws with HNRs, and changes to the public hearing process for housing projects. The specific changes to the LGA that relate to proactive planning are introduced here.

The Development Cost Charges Guide for Elected Officials (“the guide”) is designed to assist elected officials in navigating the decision-making process for developing and implementing a Development Cost Charges (DCC) bylaw. The best practices in the guide were developed through collaboration between the province, local governments, and the development community. 

The Development Cost Charges (DCC) Best Practices Guide (herein referred to as “the guide”) has two primary objectives:

1. encourage local governments to adopt standard practices for the formulation and administration of DCC
   bylaws, while recognizing some flexibility is necessary to accommodate unique local circumstances; and,
2. provide guidance using industry best practices on how DCCs should be calculated
   and administered.

The ACC Best Practices Guide (“the guide”) serves two main objectives to:

1. encourage local governments to standardize the creation and management of Amenity Cost Charge programs;
   and,
2. provide flexibility to accommodate the unique circumstances of each local government.

Questions about this guide? Please contact: PLUM@gov.bc.ca

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the main changes and their objectives to support implementation of new legislative requirements and tools (Bills 16, 44, 46 & 47).