BC Gov To Order Changes In West Van And Oak Bay After Missed Housing Targets

The government of British Columbia says West Vancouver and Oak Bay missed their housing targets by a large margin and will now face mandatory changes. These two communities were among the first in the province to receive five-year housing goals under the Housing Supply Act, and their first-year results fell far short. West Vancouver built just 58 of its targeted 220 new homes, while Oak Bay completed only 16 of its 56-unit goal.

In response, Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon has informed both councils that he intends to issue formal directives under the Housing Supply Act. The municipalities will have 30 days to respond in writing before the orders become official. This is meant not as a punishment but as a way to remove barriers, speed up housing delivery, and support vibrant communities without stripping local authority.

For West Vancouver, the province has asked for changes in land use planning. By September 30, 2026, the district must update its zoning and official community plan to increase housing density around its downtown village areas—Ambleside and Dundarave. By December 31, 2026, it must also create a new plan for the Park Royal–Taylor Way area that supports transit-oriented development and higher housing density.

In Oak Bay, two bylaws must be amended by January 31, 2026. The first changes how minor building variances are handled: instead of being voted on by Council, these decisions should be delegated to municipal staff to speed up the approval process. The second change reduces parking rules for multi-unit housing to a minimum of one stall per unit, down from the current requirement of more.

Special advisors were brought in earlier this year to review what held each municipality back. Their reports found that West Vancouver resisted densification, relied heavily on public meetings, and had slow planning processes. Oak Bay was described as having outdated zoning rules, a reputation of being anti-development, and overly politicized approval processes.

Both local governments have pushed back and said they are already reviewing policies, but the province argues more action is needed. Minister Kahlon repeated that these directives are about helping, not punishing. He pointed to more than 16,000 new homes already built in 30 communities with targets as proof the program works when municipalities cooperate.