Gabriola Discussion Guide - Housing

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GABRIOLA 
OFFICIAL COMMUNITY 
PLAN REVIEW
HOUSING
ISLANDSTRUST.BC.CA/ISLAND-PLANNING/GABRIOLA/PROJECTS/GABRIOLA-OCPREVIEW
November 2024
Discussion Guides

What is a Discussion Guide? 
The Gabriola Island Local Trust Committee is updating the Official Community Plan (OCP) — which guides 
development to align with the community’s vision and values on a variety of topics. This guide is designed 
to provide community members with background needed to provide feedback on policy options related to 
housing.
Share your thoughts through focus groups, direct communication with the Local Trust Committee and the 
Gabriola OCP Review Topic-Focused Engagement online survey (December 2024 - April 2025).
What is an Official Community Plan 
(OCP) for Gabriola Island?
The OCP implements the community’s vision.
It provides a long-term strategy for land use management, outlining broad objectives and policies to guide 
future growth and development of the community.
The OCP must align with higher level policies.
These include the Local Government Act, the Islands Trust Act, and the Islands Trust Policy Statement. This 
ensures that local plans are consistent with regional and provincial directives.
What is NOT part of an 
Official Community Plan 
for Gabriola Island?
The OCP is not a zoning bylaw or detailed regulatory 
document. Specific regulations and enforcement 
mechanisms are found in the Land Use Bylaw (LUB) and 
must be consistent with the OCP.
The OCP does not include the provision of infrastructure 
or services. Infrastructure such as sewer, or roads, and  
community services  within the Islands Trust Area are the 
responsibility of other levels of government. 
What does the current OCP say about housing?
Housing policy in the OCP focuses on gradual growth and change with a key focus on preserving and 
protecting the environment. It emphasises that no additional land should be designated for residential use and 
limits the creation of new small lot residential areas.
Multi-dwelling residential developments on Gabriola Island are allowed only for special needs residents, 
seniors, or as affordable housing. “Affordable housing” refers to homes rented or owned under a housing 
agreement that’s registered on title in favor of the Local Trust Committee. 
 
The Official Community Plan (OCP) sets specific conditions for affordable housing developments, such as 
being near the village core and having access to a sufficient water supply. These developments can include up 
to 12 residential units per hectare, with a maximum of 24 units in a single project. Each unit can be no larger 
than 900 square feet, which is roughly the size of a two-bedroom suite.
Secondary suites are permitted on properties that are 2 hectares (5 acres) or larger. Separate accessory 
dwelling units (ADUs) are considered single-family affordable housing and are also permitted on properties 
that are 2 hectares (5 acres) or larger, but should not exceed 65 square metres (700 square feet).
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