How the new provincial housing legislation affects Whistler

In 2023, the Province of B.C. released the Homes for People plan and passed legislation to increase housing supply across the province.  

The new provincial rules and policy guidelines change the land use planning framework for local governments, including the Resort Municipality of Whistler.  

These changes support the RMOW’s strategic priority of increasing housing in Whistler. We are now updating our regulations to follow the provincial rules. 

Find details about the local government housing initiatives on the provincial website. 

Key changes for Whistler

• Whistler is required to allow small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH) to increase density on single-family and duplex lots.  
  • In most Whistler neighbourhoods this will allow up to four small-scale units per single-family or duplex lot, depending on the lot size.  
  • Whistler will require some of these additional housing units to be designated for employee housing use. 
• Whistler is required to designate the Whistler Gondola Exchange as a Transit Oriented Development Area and to remove the requirement for off-street residential parking, except for spaces for use by persons with disabilities. 
  • This allows for higher density when residential properties are rezoned.  
  • This will have little impact on Whistler, where most of the properties in this area are hotels and commercial properties. 
• The provincial Transit Oriented Development Area regulation comes into effect June 30, 2024.  
• Whistler will no longer be allowed to hold public hearings for residential projects that fit with our Official Community Plan (OCP). 
• To support more proactive planning, the RMOW will need to update our housing needs report and Official Community Plan (including community engagement) every five years and to proactively zone for projected future housing needs.  
• The RMOW will be able to use development finance tools like expanded development cost charges and new amenity cost charges to help fund additional municipal infrastructure and services needed for new housing development. 

Over the coming years, Whistler will likely see a larger variety of housing types built in neighbourhoods that were known to have single-family homes.  

Timeline

• Spring 2023: The Province released the Homes for People Plan. 
• November 2023: The Province passed housing legislation. 
• June 2024: Update Whistler zoning bylaw to: 
  • accommodate Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing requirements, and 
  • designate the Whistler Gondola Exchange as a Transit Oriented Development Area and remove minimum residential parking requirements.  
• Summer 2024: The Province will provide guidance on housing needs reports, OCP and zoning bylaw updates. 
• By January 1, 2025: Whistler must update its 2022 Housing Needs Report. 
• By December 31, 2025: Whistler must update its OCP and zoning bylaws. 

Funding

The Province provided the RMOW with a one-time grant of $210,718, which will fund legal review of bylaws and work related to bylaw testing. 

Contact

If you have an active development file and want to know what these changes mean to your project, contact the Planning Department: 

604-935-8170 
[email protected]