Sustainability Goals
Development and investment in Ladysmith should assist the Town in achieving a core set of sustainability goals including:
1. Reduce greenhouse gas and other air emissions.
2. Reduce fossil fuel energy consumption and shift to renewable energy.
3. Reduce potable water usage and manage wastewater efficiently including re-use.
4. Manage materials use to reduce or eliminate waste.
5. Protect and enhance the ecosystems and biodiversity locally, regionally, and globally.
6. Support a more sustainable food system, including increasing local food production, processing and consumption.
7. Provide stable, diverse and prosperous local economic opportunities; and
8. Create healthy communities and individuals.
Community Vision Report
The 'Community Vision Report' (A Community Vision for a Sustainable West Coast Town) is a powerful resource for all who might be involved in the future development of Ladysmith. It outlines in clear terms the community’s preferences for future development regarding fundamental policy approaches as well as in physical and experiential character. The 'Community Vision Report' and 'Public Preference Handbook' are available below:
Official Community Plan (OCP)
The Official Community Plan sets policy direction and reflects community aspirations and goals. It provides a foundation for decision making through statements of objectives and policies. The Plan provides a degree of certainty about what future development may be permitted in the community, addressing appropriateness and scale, and guiding business and development toward appropriate locations. Also, connected to the OCP is the Waterfront Area Plan, the Holland Creek Area Plan, and the South Ladysmith Area Plan.
Sustainable Development Checklist
When planning and designing a new development project in the Town of Ladysmith be sure to use the Sustainable Development Checklist. The purpose of the checklist is to provide sustainability criteria and best practices for development proposals. By using the checklist, applicants will understand the ‘Ladysmith Vision’ of supporting high quality projects that are a benefit and lasting legacy to the community. The checklist is a quick way to ensure that the recommendations and requirements from the Community Vision Report (Community Vision for a Sustainable West Coast Town), the Official Community Plan and the Community Energy Plan are integrated into your project.
Development Permit Area Guidelines
Commercial, industrial and multi-family development in Ladysmith is subject to Development Permit guidelines. Any land alteration near riparian areas and on steep slope land is also subject to Development Permit guidelines. Click on the links below to learn more about development requirements:
Zoning Bylaw
The Zoning Bylaw contains provisions that regulate the use, size, height, density and location of buildings on properties within the Town. The basic purpose of a zoning bylaw is to regulate what you can build and how big the building can be on a property. The zoning bylaw also contains regulations regarding parking and home occupations.
Secondary Suites: In Ladysmith, a secondary suite is an additional dwelling unit fully contained within and subordinate to a single family dwelling. Secondary suites are an excellent way to offer affordable housing in the community both for renters and home-owners who need a mortgage helper. If you are building a new single family home you might want to think about including a secondary suite or building your home to be “suite-ready”. The following information will be helpful when making that consideration:
Secondary Suites Design Considerations Secondary Suites Frequently Asked Questions.
Environmental Protection
To ensure protection of the natural environment consider utilizing the following guidelines and resources when designing a project in Ladysmith:
Develop with Care: Environmental Guidelines for Land Development in BC www.env.gov.bc.ca
Energy Efficiency
The Town of Ladysmith is committed to being part of the solution to reduce the community's impact on climate change and to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Town of Ladysmith completed a Community Energy Plan to identify ways to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions both throughout the community and from municipal operations. The Community Energy Plan is consistent with the Town’s commitment to the Climate Action Charter and supports the Province’s goal of achieving a 33% reduction in GHG emissions by 2020. The community’s GHG reduction targets are:
5% reduction in community GHG emissions by 2012 from 2007 levels.
15% reduction in community GHG emissions by 2016 from 2007 levels.
33% reduction in community GHG emissions by 2020 from 2007 levels.
The Community Energy and GHG Inventory 2007 (CEEI) for Ladysmith indicates that in 2007 on road transportation was the source of 81.4% (30,953 tonnes) of GHG emissions; buildings was the source of 14.8% (5,616 tonnes) of GHG emissions; and solid waste was the source of 4% (1,468 tonnes) of GHG emissions. To view the most current CEEI information for Ladysmith visit:
www.env.gov.bc.ca or
CEEI 2007 TOL
To assist with reducing the ‘on-road transportation’ source of GHG emissions the Town of Ladysmith completed the Ladysmith Bicycle Plan. The Bicycle Plan provides recommendations for a connected spine of high quality bicycle facilities to encourage bicycle trips and to increase cyclist safety in the community.
You can be part of the solution to help the community achieve its GHG reduction targets. There are many resources available to assist with designing and building a development project that is energy efficient, the following links may be of interest to you: