Housing, zoning and the Official Community Plan

Whether you’re adding a suite, buying a lot or just wondering what’s going up down the street, three documents shape almost everything: the Official Community Plan, the Zoning Bylaw, and a set of recent provincial housing laws.

The Official Community Plan (OCP)

The OCP is the City’s big-picture land use plan. It says where housing, jobs and parks should go, how the road, water and sewer networks will grow, which lands are protected, and how to manage hazards like floods and wildfire. Once adopted, Council’s bylaws and projects must be consistent with it.

The current plan is OCP Bylaw No. 9525, 2025, adopted by Council on October 20, 2025. It replaced the 2011 plan after a review that began in fall 2023 and included three rounds of engagement and several public hearings. Notable outcomes the City highlights:

• a smaller urban containment boundary, focusing growth in existing neighbourhoods served by existing infrastructure
• Ginter’s Meadow protected, with a planned road connection removed
• stronger wildfire resiliency and climate policies
• more policy support for local food and agriculture

The OCP includes maps (“schedules”) for growth management, the road and cycling networks, parks, development permit areas and the future land use plan. Provincial law now requires OCPs to be reviewed at least every five years and to align with the latest housing needs report.

Zoning

Zoning Bylaw No. 7850 divides the city into zones: rural (AG, AF, AR), residential (RS, RT, RM), commercial (C), industrial (M), institutional and parks (P), utilities (U) and site-specific (Z) zones. Each zone sets:

• permitted uses (what activities are allowed)
• density (how many units)
• setbacks, height and lot coverage
• parking and landscaping requirements

To look up a property: open PGMap, search the address, and read the zone in the details panel. Then check that zone’s section in the bylaw. The City’s Permit and Zoning Chatbot can answer quick questions, and the property information inquiry form gets you a planner.

More homes on residential lots (Bill 44)

In June 2024, to comply with provincial Bill 44, Council amended the zoning bylaw to allow small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH) in the main single-family and duplex zones (RS1, RS2, RS3, RS4, RT1, RT2, plus Z9 and Z14):

• at least three units on lots of 280 m² or less
• at least four units on lots larger than 280 m²

Exemptions include lots outside the OCP’s urban area, lots not on City water and sewer, lots larger than 0.4 ha, rural zones, and certain heritage-protected properties. The City’s SSMUH options circular explains what combinations (for example, a house plus a suite plus a garden or carriage house) fit on typical lots.

Adding units still requires a building permit (see permits and licences), and secondary suites may trigger a water meter requirement.

Applying to change what’s allowed

The City’s online land use portal handles:

Application	What it does
Rezoning	Changes the zone on a property
OCP amendment	Changes the plan itself, for projects the OCP doesn’t support
Development permit	Required in designated areas (downtown, riparian, hazard lands, multi-family form and character) before building or subdividing
Development variance permit	Relaxes a rule such as a setback or parking, but can’t change use or density
Temporary use permit	Allows a non-conforming use for up to 3 years, renewable once
Subdivision, tree cutting, ALR, liquor and cannabis referrals	Also through the portal

Email submissions are no longer accepted. Each application type has a circular that explains requirements and fees.

How the public gets a say

• Public hearings are held for OCP amendments and for rezonings that are inconsistent with the OCP. Rezonings that are consistent with the OCP go to Council without a hearing (for residential projects, provincial law now generally prohibits one), but the City still gives notice and accepts written comments.
• Residents within 30 m of a property may be notified by mail. Notices are also posted on the City’s website and Facebook, and at City Hall.
• Anyone can submit written comments until noon on the meeting day. At hearings, you can also speak in person, by Zoom or by phone.

See public notices and engagement and how council works.

The provincial housing target

In August 2024 the Province issued a Housing Target Order requiring Prince George to complete at least 1,803 net new homes over five years. The City reports it has beaten its first two annual targets. It counted 663 net new units from August 2024 to July 2026, against a minimum of 575, or 37% of the five-year goal. Progress reports go to Council each year.

The City has also published a Housing Action Strategy and has a housing development liaison to help builders through the process.

Before you buy or build

• Check the zone and any development permit areas in PGMap.
• Look for flood plain and riparian constraints near rivers and creeks. The City has circulars for both.
• Review the title for easements and covenants.
• Call BC One Call before digging.
• Historic permits, survey certificates and plans can be requested through the City’s property records service (fee applies).

Development Services: 250-561-7611 · devserv@princegeorge.ca

Related: permits and licences, public notices and engagement, community support (for rental and housing help).