Housing Action Program

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The District’s Housing Action Program (HAP) combines Council Priority Projects (CPP) related to housing and while also responding to the Provincial housing initiatives, which have become the District’s top priorities. Collectively the CPP listed below form the District’s Housing Action Program.

  • CPP #72 Update Zoning Bylaw for Small Scale Multi Unit Housing (SSMUH)
  • CPP #73 Update the OCP for Small Scale Multi Unit Housing Program
  • CPP #74 Interim Housing Needs Report
  • CPP #75 Complete Mandated Five-Year Review of OCP
  • CPP #76 Complete Mandated Pre-Zoning to implement updated OCP
  • CPP #77 Prepare Tracking Program
  • CPP #78 Optimize Development Processes
  • CPP #79 Responding to Increased Development Interest
  • CPP #80 Prepare Amenity Cost Charge Bylaw and Development Cost Charge Bylaw
  • CPP #81 Reservation for yet-to-come housing projects mandated by the Province

The Housing Action Program aims to increase housing supply, create more diverse housing choice and over time contribute to more affordable housing. This project will result in the development of a new regulatory land use framework with a focus on housing policy and associated bylaw changes required to meet Provincial legislation changes. This includes but is not limited to population and housing projections over a 20 year horizon, a more robust and updated housing needs report, and implementation and monitoring framework. Technical analysis and assessments will be undertaken to ensure infrastructure including servicing and community amenities aligns with planned growth and change in the community.

The HAP will take from 2024 to the end of 2028. The three CPP initially prioritized for 2024 are CPP #72, #73, and #80.

Subscribe for project updates or check back for more details.

The District’s Housing Action Program (HAP) combines Council Priority Projects (CPP) related to housing and while also responding to the Provincial housing initiatives, which have become the District’s top priorities. Collectively the CPP listed below form the District’s Housing Action Program.

  • CPP #72 Update Zoning Bylaw for Small Scale Multi Unit Housing (SSMUH)
  • CPP #73 Update the OCP for Small Scale Multi Unit Housing Program
  • CPP #74 Interim Housing Needs Report
  • CPP #75 Complete Mandated Five-Year Review of OCP
  • CPP #76 Complete Mandated Pre-Zoning to implement updated OCP
  • CPP #77 Prepare Tracking Program
  • CPP #78 Optimize Development Processes
  • CPP #79 Responding to Increased Development Interest
  • CPP #80 Prepare Amenity Cost Charge Bylaw and Development Cost Charge Bylaw
  • CPP #81 Reservation for yet-to-come housing projects mandated by the Province

The Housing Action Program aims to increase housing supply, create more diverse housing choice and over time contribute to more affordable housing. This project will result in the development of a new regulatory land use framework with a focus on housing policy and associated bylaw changes required to meet Provincial legislation changes. This includes but is not limited to population and housing projections over a 20 year horizon, a more robust and updated housing needs report, and implementation and monitoring framework. Technical analysis and assessments will be undertaken to ensure infrastructure including servicing and community amenities aligns with planned growth and change in the community.

The HAP will take from 2024 to the end of 2028. The three CPP initially prioritized for 2024 are CPP #72, #73, and #80.

Subscribe for project updates or check back for more details.

  • Infill Housing Program Bylaw Updates

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    In late 2023, the Province of British Columbia introduced sweeping changes to the Local Government Act to increase housing supply and create more diverse housing options in BC. Bill 44 - Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act requires municipalities to allow small-scale multi-unit housing in land-use zones that are otherwise restricted to single-family dwellings or duplexes.

    Small-scale multi-unit housing is ground-oriented housing typically built at the scale of single-detached and duplex housing and could include secondary suites, garden suites and laneway homes, townhomes, triplexes, and house-plexes.

    The District’s Housing Action Program (HAP) combines Council Priority Projects related to housing, while also responding to the Provincial housing initiatives. The HAP will be implemented over the next five years and aims to increase housing supply, create more diverse housing choices, and over time contribute to more affordable housing.

    The first initiative of the HAP is to update the Zoning Bylaw and Official Community Plan (OCP) to establish an Infill Housing Program that also meets the new Provincial requirements (for small-scale multi-unit housing). The Infill Housing Program Bylaw Updates build on guiding principles and directions from the Oak Bay Infill Housing Strategy, to support infill best suited for the Oak Bay context.

    Please join us at one of the following community engagement events to learn about the District’s HAP:

    • Online Webinar l Thursday, April 25, 6:00 – 7:30 pm https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84596505636
    • Open House l Wednesday, May 1 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at Windsor Pavilion
    • Open House l Saturday, May 4 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm at Monterey Recreation Centre (Garry Oak Room)


    Please join us at the Special Committee of the Whole to learn more about the District's HAP and ask Council questions:

    • Special Committee of the Whole l Monday, May 6 at 6:00 pm at Monterey Recreation Centre (Garry Oak Room)


    The Infill Housing Program Bylaw Updates, required by the end of June 2024, are the first steps in the wider Oak Bay HAP, and there will be many more opportunities to participate in the process in the coming years.

    Please subscribe for project updates at the top of the page to stay informed of key project milestones and future engagement opportunities.

  • District Housing Action Program (2024-2028)

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    The District’s Housing Action Program (HAP) combines Council Priority Projects (CPP) related to housing and while also responding to the Provincial housing initiatives, which have become the District’s top priorities for the next 2 years. The District’s Housing Action Program elements are summarized below:

    Housing Supply Act and Response to the Housing Target Order (2023-2028) Gives the Province the authority to set housing targets in municipalities, starting with those that are experiencing the greatest housing pressures. The District of Oak Bay target order is for a minimum of 664 net new housing units to be completed within 5 years. Housing targets will be measured after the first six months (March 31, 2024), then annually (September 30) by net new units completed and actions taken by the municipality to meet targets.

    Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) Interim Zoning Updates (June 2024) The Province is requiring municipalities to update Zoning Bylaws to permit a minimum of three to six dwelling units in areas zoned for single family dwelling units.

    Official Community Plan (OCP) Interim Update (June 2024) While the District updates the Zoning Bylaw, amendments may also be needed to the OCP policies and Development Permit Area guidelines for Infill Residential Housing. The scope of this update will also include analysis work to signal and identify areas for higher density multi-unit residential, village areas and commercial areas.

    Development Cost Charge (DCC) Bylaw and Amenity Cost Charge (ACC) Bylaw (2024/2027) Introduction of streamlined development finance tools to improve development cost certainty and to assist the District in helping to fund the costs of infrastructure renewal and amenities related to increased housing supply and growth. This will be implemented through a new Amenity Cost Charge (ACC) Bylaw and an expanded framework for Development Cost Charges (DCC). To balance these Housing Action Program priorities, preparation of an interim DCC Bylaw based on currently available housing target and housing need information will be developed in 2024 prior to development of an ACC bylaw (2027).

    Housing Needs Report (HNR) (2024) The Province is requiring the District to complete an interim HNR by December 31, 2024. Proposed changes to the Housing Needs Report (HNR) include using a standard method for a more consistent, robust understanding of both local housing needs currently needed and over the next 20 years.

    Official Community Plan (OCP) Review (2024-2025) The Province is requiring the District to have an updated OCP by December 31, 2025. Proposed changes for OCPs require an update every five years, with early and ongoing public engagement to plan for homes and growth over 20 years. In June/July of 2024, instructions will be provided by the Province to local governments regarding the OCP review.

    Zoning Bylaw Review (2024-2025) In tandem with the updated OCP, the Province is also requiring that the District’s Zoning Bylaw be updated to accommodate the planned 20 year housing supply. These changes are required to be in place by December 31, 2025. In June/July 2024, instructions will be provided to local governments regarding the Zoning Bylaw review.

    Optimize Development Processes (2026-2028) This project would review and provide recommendations for streamlining, enhancing, and modernizing department processes and systems. It would support the implementation of resulting recommendations, best practices, Information Technology and innovative approaches to improve development approvals processes.

Page last updated: 01 May 2024, 02:09 PM