Governance

Denman committee advances bylaws to ease secondary-dwelling approvals

The proposed changes would remove Temporary Use Permit requirements for secondary dwellings in four zones and go to agencies, First Nations and a public process.

The Denman Firestarter · Published 2026-09-06

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The Denman Island Local Trust Committee gave first readings to proposed bylaws that would remove the requirement for a Temporary Use Permit for secondary dwellings on lands zoned R2, A, F and RE. The committee also requested a Community Information Meeting and Public Hearing for the proposed bylaws. ^[1]

The staff report said there are currently 37 properties in the specified zones. Reports from Vancouver Island University and the Housing Advisory Planning Commission, along with community input, recommended removing the Temporary Use Permit requirement for secondary dwellings. ^[1]

The proposed bylaw would also remove the density bank, which the report described as administratively complex, requiring careful tracking and regulation, and obsolete. Trustees noted that removing the density bank and the Temporary Use Permit requirement allows for the creation of more housing. ^[1]

The committee requested that the bylaws be referred to listed agencies and First Nations, including the Comox Valley Regional District, School District #71, the Denman Island Fire Department and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. ^[1]

The committee also continued work on the Denman Housing Review Project, with draft bylaws expected to come forward for consideration in late fall. ^[1]

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