Regional Growth Strategy

A Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) is a long-term planning document adopted by a regional district under the Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c. 1, to coordinate growth, land use, infrastructure, and environmental management across member municipalities and electoral areas. The RGS addresses regional-scale issues such as population distribution, employment patterns, housing, transportation, and natural resource protection. Member jurisdictions' Official Community Plans (OCPs) must be consistent with the adopted RGS. Verify specific RGS content and timelines with the applicable regional district or a BC lawyer.

Regional Growth Strategies are governed by Part 25 of the Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c. 1. This Part sets out the framework for preparation, adoption, amendment, and dispute resolution for regional growth strategies. Member municipalities and the regional district must follow the consultation, acceptance, and amendment procedures specified in the Act. Verify procedural details and current section references with a BC lawyer or the applicable regional district.

Yes. Under the Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c. 1, once a Regional Growth Strategy is accepted by a member municipality, that municipality's Official Community Plan (OCP) must be consistent with the RGS. If an OCP amendment would create an inconsistency, the municipality must first seek an amendment to the RGS or obtain consent from the regional district board. This ensures coordinated regional planning across jurisdictions. Verify the specific acceptance status and amendment procedures with the applicable regional district or a BC lawyer.

Under the Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c. 1, a regional district board prepares a proposed RGS in consultation with affected local governments, First Nations, senior governments, and the public, then refers it to member municipalities and electoral area directors for acceptance. Each member jurisdiction votes on acceptance; once the required threshold of acceptances is achieved, the regional district board may adopt the RGS by bylaw. Dispute resolution and mediation processes are available if acceptance is not achieved. Verify the detailed procedural steps and thresholds with the applicable regional district or a BC lawyer.

Yes. Under the Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c. 1, a Regional Growth Strategy may be amended by the regional district, subject to consultation and acceptance procedures similar to initial adoption. Minor amendments may have simplified processes, while major amendments typically require re-acceptance by affected member jurisdictions. The Act sets out notification, referral, and dispute resolution procedures for amendments. Verify the applicable amendment process and thresholds with the regional district or a BC lawyer before initiating or relying on an amendment.

Under the Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c. 1, if a member municipality does not accept a proposed Regional Growth Strategy or amendment, the regional district and the municipality may enter into dispute resolution, including mediation or arbitration as set out in the Act. If resolution is not achieved, the regional district may proceed without that municipality's acceptance under certain conditions, or the province may intervene. Verify the specific dispute resolution steps and timelines with the applicable regional district or a BC lawyer.

Many Regional Growth Strategies in BC include policies on housing supply, density, affordable housing targets, and housing diversity as part of managing population growth and land use, under the authority of the Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c. 1. The specific content varies by regional district. Recent provincial housing legislation, including the Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023 (BC Bill 44, with Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing provisions effective July 1, 2024 for most municipalities—as of 2026-07-27—verify current), also affects housing planning. Verify the specific housing policies in a given RGS with the applicable regional district or a BC lawyer.

The Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c. 1, requires member municipalities to ensure their Official Community Plans and bylaws are consistent with an accepted Regional Growth Strategy. If a municipality fails to comply, the regional district may seek dispute resolution, and the province may intervene or impose remedies. Specific enforcement mechanisms and remedies depend on the circumstances and the Act's provisions. Verify enforcement options and consequences with the applicable regional district or a BC lawyer before acting.

Regional Growth Strategies under the Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c. 1, must consider and typically support the protection of agricultural land, including land within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) governed by the Agricultural Land Commission Act, SBC 2002, c. 36. RGS policies often direct urban growth away from ALR lands and support agricultural uses. Member municipalities' OCPs and zoning must be consistent with both the RGS and ALR designations. Verify how a specific RGS addresses ALR lands with the applicable regional district or a BC lawyer.

Each regional district in British Columbia publishes its adopted Regional Growth Strategy on its official website or planning department page. The Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c. 1, requires regional districts to make the RGS publicly available. Contact the applicable regional district directly or consult its website for the current RGS bylaw, maps, and policies. Verify the adoption date and any amendments with the regional district or a BC lawyer to ensure you are relying on the most current version.