Board of Variance Committee

The Board of Variance is an independent appeal body, appointed by City Council, that considers requests for minor variances as relating to the size, siting, and physical dimensions of buildings and structures as regulated by the White Rock Zoning Bylaw, 2012, No. 2000 (PDF) and other rulings as set out in the Local Government Act.

The variance must be justified by the presence of “undue hardship.” Undue hardship limits the Board to considering only hardships that result from characteristics specific to a site, as opposed to those generated by - or personal to - the property owner. Financial hardship or loss of an amenity is unlikely to be considered a sufficient reason on its own. For more information on the Board of Variance, readers may wish to refer to relevant sections of the Local Government Act itself.

Related Documents

  1. Board of Variance Application
  2. Board of Variance Bylaw, 2004, Number 1753 (PDF)
  3. Consolidated - Planning Procedures Bylaw, 2017, Number 2234 (PDF)

Board of Variance Meetings

  • All meetings are held at the City Hall Council Chambers, begins at 3:30 pm and are limited to three hours. 
  • Notice concerning the time and location is provided  on the City's Events Calendar.

Meeting dates in 2024 are:

February 28, 2024
Cancelled due to no appeal submission received.		All appeals must be submitted no later than January 12, 2024
April 24, 2024

All appeals must be submitted no later than March 15, 2024
June 26, 2024All appeals must be submitted no later than May 10, 2024

September 25, 2024

All appeals must be submitted no later than August 16, 2024
November 27, 2024All appeals must be submitted no later than October 11, 2024


Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.


Notices

Prior to making a decision, a notice will be sent to adjacent property owners who have the right to support or oppose the appeal. In considering its decision, the Board of Variance must consider (among other considerations) whether the requested variance(s) or exemption(s) would do any of the following:

  • Adversely affect the natural environment
  • Defeat the intent of the Bylaw
  • Result in inappropriate development of the site
  • Substantially affect the use and enjoyment of adjacent land
  • Vary permitted uses and densities under the applicable bylaw

A decision of the Board is final. Please note that a ruling from the Board of Variance will expire if not acted upon in accordance with the Local Government Act.


Members 

Brian Hagerman, Community Member, Chairperson
Michael Hornak, Community Member
Chris Tupy, Community Member


* All members of the Board of Variance have been appointed with a term ending December 31, 2025.


Apply to the Board

Before you apply to the Board of Variance, please contact the Planning and Development Services Department to determine if a variance is required to accommodate your proposal. Send in your inquiry to planning@whiterockcity.ca.

If you wish to proceed with a Board of Variance application, you will be required to submit a completed Board of Variance application form, the associated documentation (outlined on the Board of Variance Application and application fee per the City's Fees and Charges Bylaw.

Staff will only accept a complete and full application, so be sure to confirm your requirements with staff prior to submission. All Board of Variance applications are processed pursuant to the White Rock Planning Procedures Bylaw, 2017, No. 2234, and the White Rock Board of Variance Bylaw, 2004, No. 1753.