With support from Urban Systems and the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (RDBN), the District of Houston has drafted a new zoning bylaw as a replacement for the land use regulations found in the District’s Development Bylaw. The draft of the new zoning bylaw is now available for public comment.

The zoning bylaw contains regulations relating to the use and development of land in the District. This includes regulations relating to the following:

• The use and density of land, buildings and other structures.
• The siting, size and dimensions of buildings and other structures and permitted uses.
• The location of uses on the land and within buildings and other structures.
• The shape, dimensions and area of all parcels of land created by subdivision, including minimum and maximum parcel sizes.
• And minimum landscaping, screening, and parking requirements.

To facilitate public input and discussion on the new zoning bylaw the District is hosting an open house in late August 2026. The open house offers an opportunity to review the draft bylaw, ask questions, and submit comments for consideration prior to the formal bylaw approval process. Also available for public input are the new Manufactured Home Park Bylaw and the new Sign Bylaw. All interested persons are encouraged to attend an open house.

The date, time, and location of the open house is shown below:
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
District of Houston Municipal Office
Council Chambers
3367- 12th Street, Houston, BC

The new Zoning Bylaw, associated maps, and supporting documents, and the Manufactured Home Park Bylaw and Sign Bylaw can be found on the District’s website at https://houston.ca/community/planning-and-development/#planning-bylaw-updates and will be made available at the District office.

Following the public consultation and referral process, the Zoning Bylaw will enter the formal approval process. This process is anticipated to begin in September 2026, by presenting the bylaw to Council for consideration of first and second reading.

Any comments that you may have regarding the proposed new zoning bylaw, including the identification of any indigenous rights and interests that may be impacted by the bylaw,would be appreciated by September 21, 2026. Please email your comments or questions to corporate@houston.ca, or mail them to the District of Houston at PO Box 370, Houston, BC, V0J 1Z0.