Development Permit Area for Streamside Protection and Enhancement (Bylaw 6349)

Bylaw No. 6349 - { pdf 69KB }, which was adopted in March 2005, established a new Development Permit (DP) Area for Streamside Protection and Enhancement to protect the natural environment along streams from development or alteration of land associated with residential, commercial, industrial and institutional uses. All properties in Delta located within 30 m (98.4 ft) of a stream, which includes rivers, sloughs, ditches and ponds, are included in this new DP Area.

A DP is required if you are planning to undertake any of the following activities in addition to other authorizations (i.e. Building Permit):

• Subdivision,
• Construction or erection of buildings and structures,
• Removal, alteration, disruption or destruction of vegetation,
• Removal, deposit or disturbance of soils,
• Creation of non-structural impervious or semi-impervious surfaces,
• Flood protection works,
• Construction of roads, trails, docks, wharves and bridges,
• Provision and maintenance of sewer and water services;
• Development of drainage systems, or
• Development of utility corridors.

Some types of development have been excluded from this process because of their scale or because other processes are in place to address environmental impacts. A DP is not required for:

• Routine yard work and/or maintenance activities that do not require a Building or Plumbing Permit (e.g. mowing lawns, trimming trees, planting vegetation, gardening and minor soil disturbances),
• Accessory buildings associated with single-family residential use,
• Interior renovations, and non-structural exterior renovations,
• Streamside enhancement activities (e.g., planting riparian species, removing invasive species),
• Agricultural uses and farm practices, or
• Development along the Fraser River, subject to conditions.

Even if you do not require a DP, you should check with the municipality before undertaking any activities or construction in proximity to a stream as other laws or requirements may apply.

In reviewing DP applications, the following guidelines are considered:

• The distance that the development should be setback from the stream is determined in relation to the type of stream,
• Existing tree cover should be preserved on the site except in areas proposed for buildings, structures and site accesses,
• Planting of vegetation within the setback area should be provided,
• Fencing or other works should be considered to preserve and protect streams or newly planted areas,
• Alternative design options will be considered (e.g. alternative drainage measures, engineered wetlands for stormwater etc.),
• Alteration of natural drainage of the site and adjacent properties should be minimized,
• Sediment management strategies should be in place, and
• Opportunities to register covenants or dedicate land will be considered.

For more information please refer to the following documents or contact Climate Action & Environment at (604) 946-3253 or climatechange@corp.delta.bc.ca for environmental concerns. Contact Community Planning and Development at com-pln-dev@corp.delta.bc.ca or (604) 946-3380 for development concerns.

• Handout { pdf 452KB }- describes basic elements of the bylaw
• Interpretation Guide { pdf 83KB }- describes key definitions, exclusions, guidelines and information requirements pertaining to the bylaw

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