FAQs

No. The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) regulates the construction of new buildings and structures in the coastal floodplain through Flood Hazard Mitigation Bylaw No. 1872, and through the discretionary authority of building officials. 

Bylaw No. 1872 regulates new construction by designating coastal and river floodplain areas. It establishes minimum setbacks from the potential hazard and, where possible, the minimum elevation levels of a floor system for living spaces inside a building, (known as Flood Construction Level or FCL). 

Bylaw No.1872 includes floodplain maps with FCLs for the three designated rivers (Nanaimo, Little Qualicum and Englishman Rivers) and for Horne Lake. For properties in the coastal floodplain, a building official can request a property owner provide a site-specific geotechnical report, prepared by a qualified professional, that includes a calculation of the FCL for the proposed new building or structure. 

The proposed DPA requires the same information earlier in the development process. This will help property owners avoid unforeseen costs and delays associated with requiring supplemental geotechnical information later in the development approvals process at the building permitting stage.

information later in the development approvals process at the building permitting stage.

For Subdivision:

No. Already addressed through conditions set for subdivision under existing coastal and marine DPAs. The proposed change is to include the specific provision as established by the Provincial Guidelines on Flood Hazard Management. While the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) is the approving authority for subdivision, local governments are invited to provide comment on subdivision applications. Both MOTI and the RDN are required to consider the Provincial Guidelines[1] for Flood Hazard Management as part of the approvals process. According to the Guidelines: All lots created through subdivision should have viable building sites on natural ground that is above the Year 2100 FCL and comply with the setback guidelines noted above. This change aligns with and clarities the respective requirements. 

DPAs are designated by bylaw adoption for areas of land identified as needing special treatment for certain purposes. This includes the protection of development from natural hazards (i.e., flooding, steep slopes, wild fire, sea level rise), establishing objectives for the protection of the natural environment, form and character of buildings, or revitalization of a commercial use area.

All land designated as ‘Coastal Floodplain’ (in Flood Hazard Mitigation Bylaw No.1872, 2023) in Areas A, E, G and H is included in the proposed DPA. The proposed boundaries are located on a narrow strip of land along the Strait of Georgia delineated in coastal floodplain mapping completed in 2021 and updated in 2022. The floodplain maps are based on hydrological modeling and mapping methods consistent with professional best practices and provincial guidelines. The maps include considerations for climate change and sea level rise to 1.0 meter. For related floodplain mapping info consult: 

• RDN Flood Management Program: www.rdn.bc.ca/flood-management-program
• Proposed DPA Map Schedules for Area A, E, G and H official community plan bylaws: www.getinvolved.rdn.ca/coastal-flood-hazard-dpa

The designation of the coastal floodplain (in Flood Hazard Mitigation Bylaw No.1872, 2023) provides the RDN with an opportunity to improve coordination between planning and building by addressing requirements for flood hazards as early as possible at the planning/design stage for new construction and subdivision through the planning approvals process.

A Development Permit (DP) is a land use permit used by local governments to review proposed developments to ensure they meet the policies and objectives of the applicable Official Community Plan (OCP), and satisfy all required regulations in the zoning bylaw.