Subdivision Application Process

Anmore Subdivision Application Process

Subdivision applications are required when changing or creating new property (lot) boundaries and the process requires approval from the Village’s Approving Officer to register the new subdivision at the Land Titles Office. Council is not involved in the subdivision application approval process as there are no zoning or Official Community Plan (OCP) changes.

The Approving Officer is a Village employee appointed by Council to review and approve subdivisions. The Approving Officer’s authority to approve subdivision applications is granted under the Local Government Act, the Land Title Act and the Strata Property Act of British Columbia.  

A subdivision application must adhere to the existing OCP land use and zoning, and is required when a property owner is:

  • Creating two or more lots from one or more existing lots
  • Consolidating two or more lots into one lot
  • Adjusting or realigning an existing property line
  • Dedicating property for a road or park
  • Cancelling an existing road allowance
  • Creating a bare land strata development
  • Creating several strata lots from one or more existing properties
  • Creating a phased strata development
  • Converting an existing multi-unit development to strata title ownership

Subdivision Application Process Steps

Step 1:

A pre-application meeting is held so that property owners can have an initial discussion with staff to review their development intentions and to provide an opportunity to seek more information in advance of submitting a formal application. To make the best use of their time, property owners are asked to provide a sketch plan and prepare specific questions in advance. They should be prepared and knowledgeable about their proposed subdivision. The more information they are able to gather before submitting an application, the more efficiently the process is likely to run.

Step 2:

Property owner submits a Subdivision Application Form to the Village.  It is important that the property is appropriately zoned and that the application is complete. Incomplete applications will not be accepted

Step 3:

The Approving Officer reviews the application, checking to confirm that the application meets Village requirements, policies and bylaws, including:

  • Official Community Plan
  • Zoning, including lot size and dimensions
  • Road, lane, walkway and emergency vehicle access
  • Parks, natural features and environmentally sensitive areas protection
  • Compatibility with existing and future subdivision potential of adjacent properties
  • Water services
  • Geotechnical considerations
  • Third party utilities
  • Septic service
  • Neighbourhood amenity preservation
  • State of Title certificates

The Approving Officer may require the property owner to consult with neighbouring property owners if the neighbourhood’s established amenities and infrastructure are affected by the proposed subdivision. It is important to note that this initial intake stage can take two to four months to complete.

Step 4:

The Approving Officer may refer the application to external agencies for input depending on the proposed application.

Step 5:

The Approving Officer sends the applicant a letter or email with details about the results of the review. As a result, the applicant may be required to submit additional information to support their subdivision application.

Step 6:

When an application meets all of the requirements, the Approving Officer grants a Preliminary Layout Review letter (PLR) for the proposed subdivision. The PLR includes any conditions that must be met prior to final approval of the subdivision. Typical conditions outlined in a PLR include:

  • Developing servicing infrastructure such as water, roads, sidewalks
  • Environment requirements
  • Legal documents for any required statutory rights-of-way, covenants or easements
  • Payment of Development Cost Charges (DCCs)
  • Connection fees for water service and School Site Acquisition Charges
  • Dedication of 5% parkland (if applicable)
  • Payment of any current or estimated property taxes and utility charges

The PLR is valid for one year from the date of issuance. If conditions are not satisfied within one year, the property owner may submit an application for a time extension for consideration by the Approving Officer.

There is no required broad community engagement for a subdivision application; however, adjacent properties are contacted to submit input on the proposed subdivision.  The Approving Officer will review any input and take it under advisement during the approval process.

Step 7:

When all of the conditions in the PLR are satisfied, the Approving Officer can grant final approval and the applicant is then responsible for registering the subdivision plan with the Land Title Office

Note:  Applicants should be aware it can take significant time to complete the process to gain final subdivision approval. The timeframe from Step 1 to Step 7 can vary in length depending on the complexity of the application, with a typical application taking six to nine months.