The City provides a wide range of development services. Click on the links below to find out more about our development processes.
Development Permits
Development permits are used to regulate specific aspects of development in designated Development Permit Areas such as:
- Form and character of a site and building
- Protection of the natural environment, its ecosystems and biological diversity
- Protection of development from hazardous conditions
- Revitalization of an area in which a commercial use is permitted
Development Permit Areas
The City of Fort St. John’s designated Development Permit Areas are:
- Downtown
- Gateway
- General Commercial
- Major Corridor
- Multiple Family Residential
- Fish Creek
- Parkwood
Contact Planning or reference the Official Community Plan to confirm if your proposal is located within a Development Permit Area.
When to apply for a Development Permit
You need to apply for a Development Permit if:
- You plan to subdivide or construct, renovate, or alter the exterior of a building or structure, including works on a façade or painting only.
AND
- You are located in a designated Development Permit Area.
For more information about Development Permits and to apply, download the Development Permit Application Package.
Development Variance Permits
A Development Variance Permit is required if you would like to:
- Vary a requirement of the Zoning Bylaw
- Vary a requirement of the Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw
- Vary a requirement of the Sign Bylaw
Development Variance Permits cannot vary land use or density, which may only be done through an amendment to the Zoning Bylaw.
For more information about Development Variance Permits and to apply, Download the Development Variance Application Package. [PDF/1.6MB]
Engineering Permits
Culvert Installation
A culvert installation application [PDF/159KB] is required when an access is crossing over an existing ditch. This includes lane access over small ditches.
Driveway Curb Drop Application
A Driveway curb drop application [PDF/107KB] is required when the current City curb needs to be altered due to driveway expansion or location change.
Excavation and Soil Deposit Permit Application
An Excavation and Soil Deposit Permit [PDF/219KB] is required prior to Excavating, Depositing or Stockpiling Soil/Other Materials or changing the drainage (regrading, changing surface ex. grass to gravel or paving) on a property unless permitted under a current Building Permit, an allowed use within the Zoning Bylaw with a valid business license, part of an agreement with the City or on a low-density residential property less than 1000 square meters.
Service Connection and/or Abandonment Application
A Service Connection and/or Abandonment Application [PDF/226KB] is required when a new water, sanitary or storm service is required or a water, sanitary or storm service needs to be abandoned.
Streetlight Installation
An Ornamental Streetlight Addition Request to Energize Lights [PDF/30KB] are required when new development occurs and based on the road classifications.
Work Notification/Lane Closure Request
A Work Notification/Lane Closure Application [PDF/272KB] is required prior to working within City lands. The application must be completed a minimum three days prior to any work starting. A Traffic/Pedestrian management plan must be submitted if works are taking place in a roadway, sidewalk or walking path.
OCP & Zoning Amendments
The Official Community Plan (OCP) is the City’s long term vision for future growth and development of Fort St. John. The Zoning Bylaw sets out the land use for each property within the City, describing what uses are permitted on that property and the specific development regulations.
When is an OCP Amendment Required?
An OCP amendment is required when you are looking to change the long-term designation of a property. An OCP amendment is also required if you are doing a zoning amendment and the proposed new zone does not align with the OCP, or if you are seeking to change the permitted density of the property.
When is a Zoning Amendment Required?
A zoning amendment is required when you are looking to carry out a use on a property that is not currently permitted per the Zoning Bylaw
For more information about OCP and Zoning Amendments and to apply, download the OCP & Zoning Amendment Application Package. [PDF/1.5MB]
Subdivision
A Subdivision Application is required for the following:
- Subdivision – for example, creating one or more new lots
- Consolidating two or more lots into one parcel
- Creating a bare land strata development
- Creating a phased strata plan development
- Stratifying a previously occupied building
- Adjusting lot boundaries (parcel line realignment)
The Approving Officer must sign off on all subdivision applications listed above. It is important to ensure that your subdivision application meets all applicable Official Community Plan, Zoning Bylaw [PDF/4.5MB] and Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw [PDF/17.7MB] requirements. Failure to meet any of the requirements of the abovementioned bylaws may result in your application being refused.
We recommend you contact the Development Services Department to schedule a pre-application meeting prior to submitting your application for a subdivision.
For more information about Subdivision applications and to apply, download the Subdivision Application Package. [PDF/1.6MB]