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Applicants are encouraged to contact the Subdivision Office at: 250-475-5494, ext. 3414 or 3415 to
schedule a meeting to discuss their proposal. Staff will identify known site specific issues with
respect to zoning, planning policy, development permit areas, existing services, development
constraints, and assist with the application process.
It is important to note
that subdivision application fees are non-refundable. Staff can assist with application
procedures, but can not plan the development for the applicant. Applicants who are not experienced
developers, are encouraged to seek the advice of qualified professionals prior to making any
financial commitments or submitting a formal application.
Specific information concerning properties can be found at the District of Saanich Geographic Information Systems (GIS) home page.
Saanich’s online interactive map system allows for viewing and printing parcel and layer
information within the municipality.
The Subdivision Application Form
contains a checklist outlining all of the
required documents and plan criteria that must accompany a submission. All registered owners must
sign the owners’ authorization. It is important to note that incomplete applications can not
be accepted.
Applicants are encouraged to liaise with the immediate neighbourhood, area community associations
and the general public on proposed development proposals through a Public Information Meeting. Guidelines to Public Meetings Contact information for local community
associations can be found by clicking here.
Applications will be
circulated for review and comment to internal departments and external agencies where appropriate.
Depending on the complexity of a proposal, applicants may be asked to provide additional
information if required by the Approving Officer.
The Approving Officer has a statutory responsibly to determine if the deposit of a proposed
subdivision plan is against the public interest and, in this regard, may hear from all persons who
may be affected by the subdivision. Applicants will be required to erect a notification sign on
the subject property, a referral will be sent to the local community association and proposed
development details will be posted on the Saanich website.
Conditional Subdivision Approval is granted in the form of a letter outlining a comprehensive
statement of conditions precedent to final approval of the subdivision. Conditional Approval is
valid for one year and may include requirements such as:
- Subdivision layout, road alignments and lot dimensions;
- Dedication of parkland or cash-in-lieu;
- Protection of the natural environment;
- Covenants, easements and statutory rights-of-way;
- Engineering servicing requirements;
- External agency requirements;
Applicants must retain the services of a professional engineer who will design the works and
services required in accordance with the Subdivision Bylaw. All services are required to be
installed at the owner’s expense prior to final subdivision approval, unless the owner
provides bonding and enters into a subdivision servicing agreement with the Municipality to
complete the required works by a specified date.
Once all the requirements outlined in the Conditional Approval letter have been addressed,
applicants may submit an application for final subdivision approval to the Approving Officer. The
application would typically include: Final survey plans prepared by a British Columbia Land
Surveyor, approval fees and documentation satisfying all requirements outlined in the Conditional
Approval. If appropriate, the Approving Officer will approve the subdivision by signing the
Subdivision Plan.
Once the subdivision plans and documents are signed by the Approving Officer, they are returned to
the applicant for registration at the Victoria Land Title Office. This is the process that creates
legal title for each new parcel defined on the subdivision plan.
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