Buying Land on North Pender Island

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The Islands Trust is a unique federation of independent local governments which plans land use and 
regulates development in the trust area.  The Islands Trust Area covers the islands and waters between 
the British Columbia mainland and southern Vancouver Islands, including Howe sound and as far north 
as Comox.  The Islands Trust Act was enacted in 1974 to protect this remarkable part of the world. 
 
 
 
Buying Property on North Pender Island? 
What Every Potential Purchaser Should Know 
 
1. What is the zoning and Official Community Plan (OCP) land use designation for the property? 
Check the Islands Trust web site at http://www.islandstrust.bc.ca/ltc/np
 for North Pender Land Use Bylaw No. 103 
and North Pender’s Official Community Plan.  Bylaw 103 provides the current regulations on the use, density, lot 
coverage and setbacks permitted on each property. The OCP designation provides future direction on how 
properties could be rezoned and developed in the future, subject to support by the North Pender Island Local 
Trust Committee.  
 
For more information contact the Island Planner for North Pender (See contact information at the end of this 
information bulletin). 
 
2.  What is the zoning and OCP land use designation for neighbouring properties? 
It may be important to check the zoning and land use designation on neighbouring properties to understand the 
potential for future zoning changes. Pay particular attention to split-zoned lots where more than one use may 
apply. 
 
For more information contact the Island Planner for North Pender. 
 
3.  Is the property located in a steep slope or an area identified as possibly hazardous for building or  
     development? 
If the property is located on a steep slope or unstable soils, you may be required to undertake a geotechnical 
assessment before constructing an addition or building a new structure.  A prospective buyer may wish to have a 
geotechnical report prior to purchase.  
 
For more information contact the CRD Building Inspector for North Pender. 
 
4.   Does the property contain any Environmental Development Permit Areas? 
In order to mitigate impacts of development on remaining fragments of intact natural areas, North Pender Island’s 
Official Community Plan designates certain areas as environmentally sensitive. While some activities are exempt, 
land alteration or development in that part of the property may require an Environmental Development Permit 
(EDPA) from the Islands Trust. The Islands Trust Fund provides tax incentives to property owners who voluntarily 
enter in to covenants to protect natural areas through the NAPTEP Program. 
 
For more information check the OCP and/or contact the Island Planner for North Pender. 
For more information about the Natural Areas Tax Exemption program contact the Islands Trust Fund.  
 
5.  Can I operate a home-based business on the property? 
Bylaw No. 103 contains regulations on what is allowed and what requirements and regulations may a

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