FAQs

Zoning is the process of dividing land into ‘zones’. Each zone has a set of rules that outline what can occur on a given property. The rules identify the permitted use of a property, such as residential or commercial, as well as the form and placement of buildings. Zoning bylaws include maps and rules that illustrate property lines, how properties are zoned, and what you can do on that property. Zoning provides a regulatory framework to help local governments implement official community plans.

BC’s Local Government Act, Section 479, gives municipal governments the authority to divide their municipality into different zones and regulate activities within each zone.

More often than you think! Creston’s Zoning Bylaw is updated every time Council approves an application to rezone the property or amend any regulations. However, the Town of Creston has never completed a comprehensive zoning bylaw rewrite. The Town’s first zoning bylaw was adopted in 1989 and has been amended over 150 times.

Start with exploring our current zoning bylaw and map to get familiar with zoning regulations applicable to your property. There are several key sections:

1. Definitions – key definitions
2. Basic Provisions – compliance and penalties, boundaries, measurements
3. General Regulations – what is permitted or prohibited in all zones, exceptions
4. Zone Regulations – rules specific to each zone
5. Off-street Parking and Loading Requirements – general parking requirements    
6. Screening and Landscaping Requirements – general screening, landscaping, and fencing requirements.

The new zoning bylaw aims to update the format of the bylaw to make it more user-friendly. For example, including colour coding, making the layout consistent and including tables and diagrams to increase clarity.