Pre-Application

This process aims to provide an expedited, cross-departmental review of a proposed development at a conceptual level to support positive outcomes for prospective applicants by providing:

  • A cross-departmental meeting with the applicant to review the development proposal. 
    • Once a Pre-Application has been accepted, meetings are available to be scheduled on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 10 - 11am, either in person or via MS Teams, though an applicant's MySaanich account.
  • A development response letter within 30 days of submission. 
  • Pre-Application guidance for future Development and Rezoning Permits.
  • A collaborative and productive relationship between the applicant and Saanich staff.

Pre-Application Fees

There are two types of Pre-Applications that can be submitted: 

Minor Pre-Application Fee – $750
  • For new residential developments of 20 or less housing units 
Major Pre-Application Fee – $1500
  • For new residential developments of 21 units or greater, or new commercial, industrial, institutional or any development requiring an OCP amendment 

Pre-Application fees will be deducted from your full Development Permit/Rezoning application if submitted within 6 months of your completed Pre-Application. 

Note: Application fees shall increase by 3% annually for five years, rounded down to the nearest $5.00, commencing on January 1, 2027, with the final increase occurring on January 1, 2031. 

Pre-Application Submission Requirements

A MySaanich profile is required. If you do not have a profile, please register for one before starting.

The following digital plan materials are required at a conceptual level. Please review the Pre-Application Project Submission Details for more information on each of the following elements:  
  • Technical Data Summary
  • Context Plan  
  • Site Plan 
  • Floor Plans 
  • Streetscape Elevations 
  • Elevation plans
  • Sections 
  • Servicing
  • Block Massing 
Digital Plan Submission Requirements
  • Consolidate all plans into ONE document (maximum 30 MB)
  • PDF file format in metric scale, sized at 24" x 36"
  • Files to be unsealed/unlocked
  • Flatten vector layers 
  • Plan resolution 72 dpi (minimum)
  • Do not include layer information, hyperlinks, bookmarks or comments
  • Do not capture fonts used in the drawing
  • Follow PDF file naming convention "YYYY-MM-DD-File Description-Address"
    • Example: 2024-06-25-Plans-234 Blue Corner Ave