Development Permits and Zoning Regulation
Development within Whitehorse must be carried out in accordance with the City’s Zoning Bylaw (2012-20). The purpose of the Zoning Bylaw is to provide for orderly development guided by the economic, social, and environmental objectives of the City’s Official Community Plan.
To align with the new Whitehorse 2040 Official Community Plan, the City of Whitehorse is currently rewriting its Zoning Bylaw. Check out the Zoning Bylaw Rewrite project page for more information and how to get involved.
A Development Permit authorizes development on land within the City of Whitehorse. “Development” means any new use, change of use, or change of intensity of use on any land within the City.
A Development Permit affirms that the proposed development conforms to the applicable regulations of the Zoning Bylaw. This includes ensuring that the proposed use is permitted in the zone in which the site is located, that the site design incorporates all required elements such as landscaping, access and parking, walkways, waste areas, etc., and that the building(s) conforms to all development regulations such as setbacks, building height, site coverage, etc.
A Development Permit is required prior to any development taking place. Development Permits are typically required prior to issuance of a Building Permit or Business Licence.
Complete applications can be submitted by email, mail or in person. Once the application has been received, a Development Officer will contact you to make arrangements for payment of the application fees.
How to submit by email:
Send complete application by email to [email protected].
Completed application forms may be scanned and attached to the email.
Supporting documents (plans, etc.) may be attached in PDF format. If too large to attach to an email, a link may be provided to download the documents from a cloud service. Photographs of plans are not accepted.
Visit our Application Forms and Development Guides page for all application forms, including checklists for a complete application, and example plans.
How to submit by mail or in person:
Application forms and plans may be submitted in person to our office at 6-151 Industrial Road, or by mail to City of Whitehorse, Land & Building Services, 2121 2nd Avenue, Whitehorse YT Y1A 1C2.
One printed set of supporting documents must be included. The Development Officer may require that a digital set of plans in PDF format also be provided.
