Official Community Plan Update

The Village of Anmore is updating its Official Community Plan (OCP) to meet new provincial housing legislation and ensure consistency with Metro Vancouver’s Regional Growth Strategy. This process will help plan for future housing needs while maintaining Anmore’s unique character.

Why We’re Updating the OCP

In late 2023, the Province of B.C. introduced new legislation that significantly changes how municipalities plan, consider and approve development in their communities. These changes are intended to increase housing supply and improve affordability across the province.

Understanding the New Housing Legislation

Bill 44: 2023 Housing Statutes (Residential Development) is designed to increase the amount of ground-oriented housing, such as:

  • Secondary suites in single-family homes
  • Detached accessory dwelling units (garden suites, coach houses)
  • Triplexes, townhomes, and house-plexes

Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) regulations under the Local Government Act apply to municipalities based on their population size and whether they are located within an Urban Containment Boundary established by a regional growth strategy.

As required by this legislation, Anmore updated its Zoning Bylaw in mid-2024 to:

  • Permit secondary suites in all residential zones outside the Urban Containment Boundary.
  • Within the Urban Containment Boundary, permit:
    • Up to 3 units on parcels smaller than 280 m²
    • Up to 4 units on parcels larger than 280 m²
  • Exempt parcels larger than 4,050 m² within the Urban Containment Boundary from SSMUH density requirements.

Bill 44 also introduced changes to shift long range planning to a more proactive approach. As such, municipalities must now update their Housing Needs Reports on a regular basis using a standard provincial methodology to ensure a consistent understanding of local housing needs over 5- and 20-year timeframes.

Municipalities were also required to complete Interim Housing Needs Reports by January 1, 2025. Anmore Council received its Interim Housing Needs Report in 2024, completing this requirement.

Metro 2050, the current Regional Growth Strategy, was adopted by the Metro Vancouver Board on February 24, 2023.

Under the Local Government Act, all member jurisdictions must prepare a Regional Context Statement (RCS) within two years of the strategy’s adoption. The RCS explains how each municipality’s Official Community Plan (OCP) aligns with the regional growth strategy.

Anmore’s RCS will be updated in conjunction with the Bill 44 amendments as part of this OCP update process.

How We’re Proceeding

With the Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) zoning amendments and Interim Housing Needs Report complete, Anmore is now entering the next stage of the Official Community Plan (OCP) update.

Council directed staff on October 7, 2025, to begin aligning the OCP with new provincial requirements. Draft amendments will be reviewed by Council before community engagement begins in early 2026.

Use the toggles below to see what’s next and how the process will unfold.

While the Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) zoning amendments and the Interim Housing Needs Report have been completed, two additional steps remain as part of Anmore’s Official Community Plan (OCP) update process:

  • Updating the Official Community Plan (OCP) to address identified housing needs. These are sometimes referred to as “housekeeping amendments” in planning documents because they focus on aligning existing policies with new provincial requirements rather than creating new ones.
  • Reviewing and aligning the Zoning Bylaw with the updated OCP. It is anticipated that this review will follow the preparation of the draft OCP amendments to ensure both documents remain consistent and compliant with provincial requirements.

Under the new legislation:

  • By December 31, 2025 – municipalities must complete their first OCP update based on the Interim Housing Needs Report.
  • By December 31, 2025 – municipalities must also update their Zoning Bylaws to align with their OCP and Housing Needs Report.
  • Going forward, municipalities must plan for housing needs on a regular basis, ensuring their OCPs and zoning remain consistent with updated housing data and provincial requirements.

On October 7, 2025, Council received a staff report outlining a high-level proposed approach to bring Anmore’s OCP into alignment with new provincial requirements and directed staff to begin the process. Prior to community consultation, draft OCP amendments will be presented to Council for review.

Public consultation will then take place in early 2026, providing opportunities for residents to learn about the proposed changes and share their feedback.

Read the staff report: October 7, 2025 Report to Council – OCP Update Process

Resources

Timeline

Internal review to identify all sections of the OCP and RCS that require revision. This includes discussions with relevant parties and groups involved in the OCP process.

Report to Council which includes the draft changes to existing policy Draft policy to Council for review.

Early and ongoing consultation, with referrals to groups identified by Council as being affected by changes to the OCP.

Public engagement with the community. An Open House is proposed to provide an opportunity for questions and feedback.

Final revisions to the OCP based on community input.

Council considers the bylaw that includes all proposed OCP amendments. A Public Hearing will be held if Council advances the bylaw.

Stay Informed!

Sign up for Village updates to receive OCP project notifications and engagement opportunities.

Questions?

Contact Josh Joseph, Village Planner at josh.joseph@anmore.com.

Josh will coordinate responses with the planning consultant assisting the Village in this OCP update process.