Help update Parking Regulations in new developments in our community

Saanich, BC – The District of Saanich is working to update Off-Street Parking and Loading Regulations to reflect modern transportation trends, support sustainable development, and align with housing and mobility goals in the Official Community Plan. The updated regulations aim to ensure we have the right amount of off-street parking for a variety of purposes such as residential and visitor parking, commercial parking, off-street loading areas, and bike parking.

What is Off-Street Parking?
Off-street parking is the space that a building must provide for their patrons, residents, and visitors to park vehicles on-site. This may include surface parking lots, underground parkades, or parking structures.

It’s important to note that off-street parking regulations are separate from on-street parking regulations. On-street parking refers to available parking spaces for vehicles on the side of the road and is not being reviewed as part of this project.

Off-street parking and loading is regulated through the Zoning Bylaw and addresses the minimum number of off-street parking spaces to be provided based on residential and non-residential land uses. It also addresses things like accessible parking, loading areas, visitor parking, bike parking and Transportation Demand Management measures that help support travel by transit, bicycle or foot.

The number of spaces depends on the building’s use, size, and location.

Over the years, parking components of the Zoning Bylaw have been amended, but it’s now time for a comprehensive update that aligns with the District’s current planning and policy framework, the OCP’s parking requirements to support active transportation, affordability and land use efficiency, and the District’s Strategic Plan. 

Why update the regulations?
Modernizing off-street parking and loading regulations will also:

• Support efficient, cost-effective housing and employment growth;
• Support walkable, complete communities, sustainable transportation, and GHG emissions reductions;
• Support business growth and sustainable economic development;
• Generate cost savings during development that are often passed on to owners/tenants;
• Support broader community plan goals; and
• Improve development application processing times by reducing the need for parking variances.

Public Engagement Opportunity
The District has reviewed current best practices and conducted a technical analysis, and now we want to hear from you! Until March 8, 2026, share your thoughts on key issues, barriers, ideas, and priorities by participating in a survey or by emailing off-streetparking@saanich.ca. 

• HelloSaanich Survey: Open until March 8, 2026.
• A second round of public engagement is expected to happen in Spring/Summer 2026 with a second survey to gather feedback on draft recommendations and regulations.

Next Steps
A final draft of the proposed off-street parking and loading regulations is expected to be brought to Council in early 2027.  

Learn More
More information on the Off-Street Parking and Loading Regulations update, including the Terms of Reference and FAQs, can be found on our website.  

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Media contact:
Saanich Communications
media@saanich.ca