News Release
For immediate release

Saanich, BC – Saanich Council has adopted amendments to the Zoning Bylaw that will help modernize parking standards, support sustainable transportation options and expedite housing starts in our community.

The new measures include:

• Lowering parking minimums to one stall per unit for residential projects of 12 units of less — although some Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) Zones may require a lower parking ratio depending on their location.
• Applying parking maximums of up to 1.5 stalls per unit for residential projects of more than 12 units, with Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plans also required.
  • Each development needs to adopt at least two TDM Plan Packages. These include Transit, Cycling, Carshare and Unbundled Parking packages.
  • Non-market housing developments are exempt from TDM requirements.
  • Although zero spaces are required,100% of parking spaces provided for buildings with more than 12 dwelling units must be energized spaces for electric vehicle charging.
• Requiring residential buildings of more than 12 units to provide onsite loading zones will help ensure there are safe, convenient spaces for logistics and delivery vehicles to stop.
• The measures adopted are interim and will be refined and enhanced through a comprehensive project to update all off-street parking regulations, including for commercial and institutional uses, that is anticipated to start in early 2025.

These changes do not eliminate parking entirely from buildings, as the regulations require accessible parking and loading spaces.

“Taking this step to modernize our parking requirements is aimed at helping us get more affordable, infill housing built in our community by streamlining District processes and reducing costs for developers,” says Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock. “These measures also respond to the needs of people who want to live in walkable, complete communities where they don’t necessarily need to own a car to access the services and amenities they desire. Saanich continues to work to provide more sustainable, convenient transportation options that reduce our collective impact on the environment as well.”

The changes would come into effect as of January 1, 2025, with a bit of flexibility for in-stream developments which can opt-in to these new requirements or use old requirements until March 10, 2025.

A report proposing a new policy framework for parking requirements was brought forward by Councillor Teale Phelps Bondaroff and Councillor Zac de Vries back in the spring, and helped drive this work.

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Media Contact:
Saanich Communications
media@saanich.ca