Development in and near floodplains is currently governed by the Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 600, 2020, which applies to construction of habitable space with 100 metres of the sea. The main purpose of the bylaw is to help protect buildings and structures from flood hazards. For example, the bylaw establishes how high off the ground habitable area should be built (flood construction level) and how far a building or structure should be setback from the sea (floodplain setback).
2026 Update
- The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) completed Coastal Floodplain Mapping in 2021 that identifies where and how deep the water will be during a flood event and how this might change with sea level rise. The maps also identify where and how high the buildings, structures and infrastructure should be constructed to mitigate flood damage.
- The current Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 600 applies to all properties within 100 meters of the sea. The bylaw is being replaced to incorporate 2021 regulatory coastal flood hazard mapping, to align with Provincial Floodplain Guidelines, increase community resilience to climate change, and provide clarity and consistency for applicants, qualified professionals, staff and decision makers.
- The proposed bylaw integrates a risk tolerance approach to flooding which seeks to minimize financial impacts to residents and to the CVRD due to projected flood impacts
- Through careful management of land use, the proposed bylaw prioritizes long-term affordability and reliable use of existing residences, and ensures new assets are not located in hazard areas unless properly mitigated. The approach uses a professional reliance model.
Information for Property Owners
Until the project is complete, Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 600 is still in effect and the current approach to development in flood risk areas remains the same. However, development applicants with properties in the mapped flood hazard area should be aware of how a new bylaw would impact proposed projects:
- If your building permit application is accepted before the new Flood Hazard Land Use Management Bylaw is adopted (tentatively Spring, 2026), it will be reviewed under the current Floodplain Management Bylaw No. 600.
- If you submit your building permit application after the new Flood Hazard Land Use Management Bylaw is adopted, you will need to follow the new regulations and your development must meet the new floodplain setback and Flood Construction Levels to proceed, or you will need to apply for a Bylaw exemption.
For more information, and to discuss how the new Flood Hazard Bylaw may affect your proposed development and future building permit application, please contact John Crockford, Manager of Building Inspection Services at jcrockford@comoxvalleyrd.ca or 1-250-334-6042 to arrange a meeting.
This page will be updated as the Flood Hazard Land Use Management Project proceeds.