Board of Variance  

Applications open for the Board of Variance membership

The City of Nanaimo is currently recruiting for one volunteer at-large position for the Board of Variance (BOV).

The successful applicant for the Board of Variance will have a basic understanding of building and zoning regulations such as the City’s Zoning Bylaw and BC Building Code, as well as familiarity with interpreting architectural plans and documents. The Board of Variance member cannot be a member of an advisory planning commission, an elected official, or an employee of the local government that appoints them. The term of office for this position starts August 30, 2025, and ends August 30, 2028, or as determined by Council.

Interested residents must submit a completed application to Legislative Services by
4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 by:

Online: Fill out an online application or Download PDF application

Email: legislative.servicesoffice@nanaimo.ca

Mail/In Person: Legislative Services, 455 Wallace Street, Nanaimo, BC  V9R 5J6

Contact the Legislative Services Department at 250-755-4405 if you have any questions. 

The Board of Variance (BOV) is an independent body that consists of five members appointed by City Council. The BOV can grant variances to:

• Relax zoning regulations, servicing requirements, and tree protection requirements;
• Extend non-conforming uses; and,
• Reconstruct a non-conforming building.

For more information on applying to the Board of Variance, please follow the link below:

How to apply to the Board of Variance

Key Dates

2025 BOV Meeting Schedule (PDF)

If you deem your property is affected by a proposed variance, you have the opportunity to be heard by the Board of Variance. You can participate in the following ways:

WATCH THE LIVE STREAM: Click here to view the agenda and watch the live video. The video will become available once the meeting has started.

WRITTEN SUBMISSION: To submit comments in writing you must contact the Planning Department no later than 2:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting by emailing planning@nanaimo.ca or calling 250-755-4429.

ATTEND IN-PERSON: If you deem your property is affected by the proposed variance, and wish to address this appeal, you will be given the opportunity to be heard at the Board of Variance meeting.

Members of the public may submit comments in writing or attend the meeting in-person.

Related Links

Bylaw No. 7213 (PDF)

Local Government Act, Division 15 - Board of Variance

Board of Variance Members

MEETING INFORMATION

To view meeting agendas and minutes visit the Meeting Document and Videos Page.