7 communities denied extensions to comply with B.C. housing laws

The provincial government says it is giving 21 municipalities in B.C. more time to sort out zoning bylaws and infrastructure so that they can comply with provincial requirements that will make way for more housing. 

But requests for additional time for seven others were denied.

Earlier this year, the province told municipalities they had to change their zoning bylaws by June 30, 2024, to increase small-scale, multi-unit housing mandated in recently created housing legislation — Bill 44.

It's part of an ongoing attempt by the NDP government to ease the housing affordability crisis in B.C. With a provincial election set to be called any day now, housing and affordability are likely to be top of mind for many British Columbians.

Several communities applied for extensions to allow for infrastructure upgrades or to be able to finalize zoning changes. 

Some of the 21 communities have been given up to the end of 2030 — more than six years — to amend bylaws and upgrade infrastructure for some neighbourhoods. 

While many communities have been given the gift of time, seven were told that no extension would be granted. Most of them will have to figure out new bylaws by Dec. 16. 

The Mount Waddington Regional District and the Township of Langley have about five weeks.

Though he learned his community would not qualify for an extension earlier this summer, Township of Langley Mayor Eric Woodward said he feels that the extension being denied was "entirely political."

"In the Township of Langley, these reforms and regulations and requirements as per Bill 44 have been approved in principle by my council," he told CBC Monday afternoon. "I have no concerns that the Township of Langley will be following through."

He said council and staff will now have to find more time to figure out infrastructure needs.

In its announcement, the province didn't explain why some communities were not given more time. 

In a statement to CBC News in May, B.C.'s Housing Ministry said new developments under Bill 44 would "likely occur gradually over the years," giving local governments more time to upgrade infrastructure. 

Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie said that while his community was granted an extension to complete a sewer project in Steveston, Bill 44 is "the biggest intrusion into local planning that has ever taken place."

He said he worries there won't be the services to support the level of densification Bill 44 would create.

"Don't impose this on us," he said. "I just don't think it works."

The province said that as of Monday, 91 per cent of local governments have adopted Bill 44.