Regional Zoning Bylaw

Spring Project Update: Second Draft Bylaw Available for Viewing

March 2026

Quick Read:

• Round 2 Complete: 385 survey responses submitted by the December 15 extended deadline.
• The newest draft bylaw is available to review
• What we’re doing: Staff are preparing to send the draft bylaw and maps to the Regional Board for second reading.
• Next Opportunity: A revised draft will be presented to the Regional Board in April, followed by a Public Hearing in May.
• Questions? Email planning@prrd.bc.ca.

The winter provided staff with the opportunity to review engagement feedback and draft an updated version of the bylaw for public viewing. The newest draft bylaw was presented to the Regional Board for information at the Regular Board meeting on March 19, 2026.

Staff have also prepared a full Round 2 Engagement Period Report outlining the results from our Regional Zoning Bylaw Survey #2, open from October 1, 2025, to December 15, 2025, and includes turnout statistics from our November 2025 Open House events. We also presented this report to the Regional Board at a Committee of the Whole meeting on March 19, 2026.

What’s Next?

1. Board Presentation: We’ll present the second draft of the Regional Zoning Bylaw to the Regional Board for second reading in April 2026.
2. Public Hearing: A formal hearing will be scheduled for final community input after the second reading.

Stay Updated: All new information and documents will be posted to this project page. Please subscribe for updates to never miss an announcement!

Fall Project Update: Community Engagement Recap

January 2026

Quick Read:

• Round 2 Complete: Over 200 survey responses were submitted by December 15.
• What we’re doing: Staff are currently updating the bylaw and maps based on your feedback.
• Next Opportunity: A revised draft will be presented to the Regional Board soon, followed by a Public Hearing.
• Get in touch: Questions? Email planning@prrd.bc.ca.

November was an active month for our team. we traveled across the region to visit as many rural communities as possible, gathering vital feedback on the proposed Regional Zoning Bylaw.

We were thrilled to see such strong attendance at our open houses. It was a pleasure to meet so many passionate residents and hear your perspectives firsthand.

Engagement by the Numbers

In addition to our in-person events, we recently closed our second community survey:

• Survey Deadline: December 15, 2025
• Participation: Over 200 responses received

Thank you to everyone who spoke with us, sent an email or took the time to complete the survey. Your input is essential to this process.

Current Progress

Our staff is currently reviewing your comments to refine the draft bylaw and finalize the project mapping. We’re working hard to ensure the next version reflects the feedback we received.

What’s Next?

1. Report Back: We’ll share a summary of the results from our Round 2 engagement activities.
2. Board Presentation: We’ll present the second draft of the Regional Zoning Bylaw to the Regional Board.
3. Public Hearing: A formal hearing will be scheduled for final community input.

Stay Updated: All new information and documents will be posted to this page. Please subscribe for updates to ensure you never miss an announcement!

You asked and we listened!

We heard your requests for more time! To ensure everyone has a chance to contribute, we're excited to announce an extension for the Regional Zoning Bylaw Survey #2.

New Submission Deadline

The final date to submit your responses is now December 15, 2025, at 10:00 am (MST).

How to Provide Your Feedback

The online survey is still open and ready for your input!

• Review the Draft: Take a moment to read the draft bylaw to understand the proposed changes.

• Share Your Thoughts: Complete the online survey by the new deadline (open since October 1, 2025). Your responses are anonymous and voluntary.

In-Person Survey Copies

Prefer a hard copy? You can pick up the survey at either of the PRRD offices:

• Dawson Creek: 1981 Alaska Avenue

• Fort St. John: 9505 100 Street

Check Your Proposed Zoning

Wondering how these changes might affect your land? Use our handy mapping tool!

• Find Your Zone: Check your property's proposed zoning using the new Regional Zoning Bylaw map.

The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) is pleased to share the new draft Regional Zoning Bylaw for public review and feedback. Following public engagement earlier this year, staff have crafted a draft bylaw based on the feedback received from over 600 regional residents.

What We Heard from Residents

The PRRD heard residents wanted:

• Larger residential accessory buildings
• More dwelling units and different housing forms
• Fewer industrial uses in residential areas
• Less regulations and red tape in general

Staff have worked hard to incorporate feedback and reduce unnecessary regulations while providing structure and clarity around permitted uses.

Round 1 Engagement Results

If you would like to learn more about the first round of public engagement, you can check out the Round 1 Engagement Summary that contains the survey results and analytics. The Round 1 Engagement Summary - Responses by Electoral Area, which breaks out responses for each Electoral Area was shared with the Regional Board on October 16, 2025 and is also available to view.

Check Your Property's Proposed Zoning

Want to see where your property is proposed to be zoned? You can use our new Regional Zoning Bylaw map to check!

How to Provide Feedback

Residents are encouraged to review this draft and provide feedback via the online survey open from October 1, 2025, to November 30, 2025, at 4:30pm (MST). Responses are anonymous and voluntary.
Hard copies of the survey are available at both PRRD offices in:

• Dawson Creek (1981 Alaska Avenue)
• Fort St. John (9505 100 Street)

The first draft of the Regional Zoning Bylaw was presented to the Regional Board on September 18, 2025.

The Regional Board also gave first reading to the bylaw, which introduces it as a formal bylaw. View the Board report.

The PRRD heard residents wanted larger residential accessory buildings, more dwelling units and different housing forms, fewer industrial uses in residential areas and less regulations and red-tape in general. Staff have worked hard to incorporate feedback and reduce unnecessary regulations while providing structure and clarity around permitted uses.

In-person engagement events are scheduled around the region from November 15 - 23, 2025.

View the draft bylaw and subscribe to this page to keep up to date on all things Regional Zoning Bylaw.

Regional Zoning Bylaw Survey Now Closed!

Thank you to everyone who provided their input.

The project team will be working to review the information and finish crafting the draft bylaw.

Next round of engagement is planned for this fall, so be sure to subscribe to keep up to date on the project!

Invitation to Participate in the Regional Zoning Bylaw Survey

March 20, 2025

You're invited to take part in our first survey about the new Regional Zoning Bylaw. We want your input on regulations for accessory buildings, home-based businesses, and secondary or detached suites. The survey will also inform future engagements!

Share your thoughts by completing the online survey open from March 20, 2025 to May 30, 2025 at 4:30pm (PST).

Paper copies are available at both Peace River Regional District offices in Dawson Creek (1981 Alaska Avenue) and Fort St. John (9505 100 Street), or by calling 250-784-3200 or emailing planning@prrd.bc.ca.