BC Land & Property Guides

Practical guides for BC contractors, landowners and consultants. Written by people who actually work on the land.

What the Agricultural Land Reserve means for your project, how to check your property, and what to do if you're in it.

Setback distances by stream class, when you need a QEP assessment, and how to identify streams before starting work.

What the S1 through S6 system means, how stream order works, and why fish-bearing status matters for permits.

Biogeoclimatic zones explained in plain English. What they tell you about climate, soil and vegetation on your property.

What a site assessment covers, the manual process versus automated tools, and when you actually need a professional.

Three ways to find your zone code, what the code tells you, and when zoning alone is not enough to assess a property.

Front, rear, and side yard setbacks by zone type. How to find yours, what stacks on top, and what to do when you cannot meet them.

Minimum lot size by zone, how to check if you can subdivide, the approval process, and common blockers.