Information bulletin
For immediate release

Saanich, BC – The District of Saanich has appointed a servicing officer following the province’s addition of a new section to the Local Government Act. The role, designated by Council in January 2026, is being performed by Saanich’s Director of Engineering and Manager of Development Services. As a condition of issuing a building permit, these staff members now have the legal authority to require an owner to provide land for the purposes of constructing and installing sustainable design features and transportation infrastructure.

What does this mean for new building permits?

Developers and residents are encouraged to contact Development Services staff early in the planning process (well before an application is submitted) to ensure requirements specific to their application are met, including land dedication.

Development Services staff can be reached at development@saanich.ca or at 250-475-5570.

Process

A servicing officer reviews each new building permit application and determines if a land dedication is required. Building permits are issued only once all requirements are met.

• For building permits that require the creation of new roadways, the maximum portion of land that can be required is 20 metres.
• For building permits on existing roadways, the maximum portion of land that can be required is the lesser of 10 metres in depth and the difference between the current width of the roadway and 20 metres for an existing roadway.

If terrain or soil conditions don't support an eight-metre roadway within these limits, the servicing officer can request additional land to ensure adequate support, protection, and drainage.

Beyond these requirements, the officer may also require land for sustainable design features and infrastructure supporting walking, cycling, public transit, and other alternative transportation methods.

Community benefits

This proactive measure articulated in section 513.2 in the Local Government Act, ensures that new developments, requiring only a building permit, provide space for new roads, as well as  transportation modes, such as walking, cycling and public transit and sustainable design features.

With the designation of a servicing officer, Saanich is positioned to enhance its urban environment, develop a safer, more multi-modal transportation network, and improve the overall quality of life for residents.

Learn more

To discuss how these changes may affect your building permit application, please reach out to Development Services staff at development@saanich.ca or at 250-475-5570.

For more information about land dedication requirements and servicing officer role, visit saanich.ca/servicing. The webpage features a backgrounder document with more information pertaining to the specifics of what the servicing officer can require of a landowner at the time of development.

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Media contact:
Saanich Communications
media@saanich.ca