TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: April 13, 2026 Report No. DEV-26-018
TO: Council
FROM: Jakub Lisowski, Planner II, Development Services
SUBJECT: Bylaw to amend the Development Application Procedures and Fees Bylaw, 2012, No. 2791
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council give first, second, and third readings to Development Application Procedures and Fees Bylaw, 2012, No. 2791, Amendment Bylaw, 2026, No. 3187.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Amendment Bylaw, 2026, No. 3187 would amend the Development Application Procedures and Fees Bylaw (See Appendix A for Track Changes) by raising fees to better align with neighbouring peer municipalities while still maintaining lower overall fees than the average in Greater Victoria, and simplifying the fee structure by eliminating fees no longer required and removing duplicate fees.
BACKGROUND:
A review of the Development Application Procedures and Fees Bylaw was conducted by comparing Esquimalt’s fees with those of peer municipalities in Greater Victoria. In addition, the Bylaw was simplified by reducing redundancies and inefficiencies in the fee structure.
Proposed amendments to the Development Applications and Procedures Bylaw include changes to Schedule B of the Bylaw (Development Application Fees):
1) Official Community Plan:
a. “Official Community Plan amendment” fee increased
2) Zoning Bylaw:
a. Consolidated several text amendment fee categories into a single, increased fee for any “Zoning Bylaw text amendment”
b. Consolidated Several Residential rezoning fee categories into a single, increased fee for “Rezoning to a Residential zone”
c. Increased fees for several Rezoning categories:
• Rezoning to a Commercial (C) zone
• Rezoning to an Industrial (I) zone
• Rezoning to an Institutional (P) zone
• Rezoning to a Marine (M) zone
• Rezoning to a “Comprehensive Development Zone (CD) zone
3) Development Permit:
a. Consolidated two Delegated Development Permit categories into a single, increased fee for “Delegated Development Permit”
b. Increased fees for several Development Permit categories:
• Multiple Family Residential
• Commercial or Industrial
• Development Permit with variance (excluding signs)
• Development Permit with variance for signs
• Hazardous Conditions
c. Deleted fees that are no longer used:
• Minor repairs or renovations to single family or duplex buildings
• Minor additions or renovations
• Secondary Suite Development Permit
• Amendment to a Development Permit prior to issuance of an occupancy permit or in cases where an occupancy permit is not required, prior to the completion of the development
• Natural Area, Energy Conservation and Greenhouse Gas Reduction, or Water Conservation Development Permit
d. Added new fee:
• Development Permit for signs
4) Other Fees:
a. Increased fees for several categories:
• Development Variance Permit (excluding signs)
• Development Variance Permit for a sign
• Minor DVPs
• Temporary Use Permit
• Subdivision, including any required development permit that authorizes subdivision only
• Mail out for Neighbourhood Consultation Meeting
b. Deleted fees that are no longer used:
• Land Use Contract Discharge or Amendment
• Newspaper Notification Fee (any excess funds to be returned to applicant)
ANALYSIS:
A review of the Development Application Procedures and Fees Bylaw was conducted by comparing Esquimalt’s fees with those of peer municipalities in Greater Victoria including the City of Victoria, District of Saanich, District of Oak Bay, and City of Langford. Proposed fees were generally increased to align with those of peer municipalities while continuing to be less expensive and therefore more cost competitive. Fee categories were also simplified and redundant fees were removed. The changes are expected to improve transparency for applicants.
OPTIONS:
1. That Council give first, second, and third readings to Development Applications Procedures and Fees Bylaw, 2012, No. 2791, Amendment Bylaw, 2026, No. 3187.
2. That Council give first and second readings to Development Applications Procedures and Fees Bylaw, 2012, No. 2791, Amendment Bylaw, 2026, No. 3187, make any necessary amendments and then give third reading as amended.
3. That Council ask staff for more information prior to considering giving Development Applications Procedures and Fees Bylaw, 2012, No. 2791, Amendment Bylaw, 2026, No. 3187 first, second, and third readings.
4. That Council defeat first reading of Development Applications Procedures and Fees Bylaw, 2012, No. 2791, Amendment Bylaw, 2026, No. 3187.
COUNCIL PRIORITY:
Housing
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The proposed amendments will potentially generate more revenue for the Township and will better reflect the staff time and resources required to process applications and write staff reports.
COMMUNICATIONS/ENGAGEMENT:
No statutory public notice is required.
TIMELINES & NEXT STEPS:
If Development Applications Procedures and Fees Bylaw, 2012, No. 2791, Amendment Bylaw, 2026, No. 3187 receives first, second, and third readings, it will be brought back to the next Council meeting for adoption.
REPORT REVIEWED BY:
1. Bill Brown, Director of Development Services, Reviewed
2. Deb Hopkins, Director of Corporate Services, Reviewed
3. Ian Irvine, Director of Finance, Reviewed
4. Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer, Concurrence
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:
1. Consolidated Development Application Procedures and Fees Bylaw, 2012, No. 2791 with Track Changes
2. Development Applications Procedures and Fees Bylaw, 2012, No. 2791, Amendment Bylaw, 2026, No. 3187