Located on the first and second floor of City Hall, the Prince George Planning and Development Department includes the following functions and divisions:
- Development Services
- Real Estate Services
- Sustainable Community Development
- Economic Development
- Bylaw Services
The department can assist you with wide range of issues, such as:
- What you need to know to build a shed on your residential property
- What you need to do if you want to clear a lot of trees
- What to consider if you are a developer thinking about a large-scale land-use change to meet a growing demand
- How to submit a complaint about an unsightly yard
Development Services
Development Services is located on the second floor and provides current planning, engineering, building inspection, business licensing and administrative functions. The division oversees land-use changes and development by establishing and implementing standards for subdivisions and other development. This division consults with the community, stakeholders and staff.
Current planning Development Services is also responsible for processing a variety of
development and land-use related applications, including:
- Zoning and Official Community Plan (OCP) Bylaw amendments
- Development Permits
- Development Variance Permits
- Liquor Licence resolutions
In addition to processing applications, planning staff facilitate public consultation opportunities for land-use applications, and provides advice on a variety of policies and bylaws (i.e.,
Zoning Bylaw and
Liquor Licence Policy).
Subdivision and infrastructureDevelopment Services also process
applications for:
- Subdivision and development servicing
- Soil removal and deposit permits
- Access permits
- Highway occupancy permits
- Work on highway and utility permits
The division is also responsible for:
- Civic addressing
- Management of lot servicing and grading records
- As-constructed drawings
- Engineering reports, studies and servicing briefs
Building inspections The Building Inspection division is a regulatory body that ensures and improves public safety and compliance with the
British Columbia Building and Plumbing Codes and several City bylaws, by utilizing a variety of educational and enforcement tools. Staff work on all types of projects, from major commercial developments to home renovations.
Real Estate Services
Prince George's Real Estate Services is located on the second floor of City Hall and is responsible for managing City-owned land. This includes:
- Land sales and purchases
- Leases of City land and buildings (commercial and not-for-profit)
- Utility right-of-ways
-
Road closures
Sustainable Community Development Services
Prince George's Sustainable Community Development Services is located on the second floor of City Hall and provides long-term land-use and transit planning services. This division's objective is to balance the public interest captured within
myPG Sustainability plan,
Council priorities,
Official Community Plan (OCP), and
Prince George Future Transit Plan with private interests expressed by landowner's development proposals.
To learn more about what planners do, view the
article published by the Planning Institute of British Columbia (PIBC).
Long-range planning
Prince George's Long-Range Planning division develops long-term planning policies and bylaws related to land conservation, maintenance, conversion, development, and redevelopment, including:
In addition, staff engages and meets with the community and advises Council on a wide range of land-use issues ensuring that private development and City initiatives are consistent with the community's long-term vision for Prince George.
Transit PlanningTransit service in Prince George is provided through a shared service model, with the funding split between the City of Prince George and
BC Transit, a crown corporation. The Prince George transit system is a hassle-free, low cost, and environmentally-friendly way to get around town.
The Transit Planning division assists with daily operational issues with the provider, as well as future transit system planning through development proposals and system reviews.
In addition to the fixed route and fixed schedule city bus, we have a
HandyDART service which provides door-to-door service for people with permanent or temporary disabilities that prevent them from using the city bus service without assistance.
Economic Development
The
Prince George Economic Development division is located on the first floor of City Hall and works toward ensuring the continued strength of the local economy by:
- Facilitating the retention and expansion of existing businesses
- Attracting businesses to expand and diversify the economy
- Advocating for increased workforce capacity
- Marketing the City of Prince George to attract new businesses and residents
Bylaw Services
Prince George Bylaw Services is located on the first floor of City Hall and is responsible for
Animal Control,
Parking Control and general
Bylaw Enforcement.
Major projects in 2015 and 2016 included the removal of derelict buildings and changes to downtown parking.