Politics
Centrum City Council Passes 2026 Zoning Update Ordinance, Reshaping Development Rules in Six Districts
The July 7 vote sets new density limits that will apply to construction permits filed after January 1 in the Maple District, Riverside and four other areas.
How we reported this
The Centrum City Council approved the 2026 Zoning Update Ordinance on a 6-3 vote during its regular meeting on July 7. The measure revises height and density standards for residential and mixed-use projects across six districts. It directly affects builders seeking permits for structures taller than four storeys in those zones.
The ordinance follows the release of the city planning department's March 2026 land-use assessment. That document recorded a 14 percent rise in permit applications over the prior two years. Council members cited the assessment when they placed the item on the agenda last month.
For residents the change means future apartment buildings near the central transit hub will be capped at six storeys instead of eight. Homeowners in the Maple District will face updated setback requirements when they apply to add accessory units. The legislation states that single-family lots under 600 square metres cannot be subdivided without a variance hearing.
Views from policy analysts and local advocates
Policy analysts say the updated standards align with the 2025 regional growth projection that estimated 8,200 additional housing units needed by 2030. They note the ordinance does not alter property tax rates listed in the current fiscal year budget. Local advocates note that the new variance process will require public notice 30 days before any hearing.
The city clerk's office recorded 47 written submissions before the meeting. Those comments addressed traffic counts on Maple Avenue and access to the Riverside community centre. No further public hearings are scheduled on the ordinance itself.
Implementation timeline
City staff will begin drafting the revised permitting checklist next month. The government says the policy will take effect for applications submitted on or after January 1 2027. The planning department's operating budget includes 120,000 dollars for staff training on the new rules, according to the June 2026 budget paper.