The District of Squamish is introducing a new Steep Slope Development Permit Area (DPA) as a key statutory tool to help mitigate natural hazard risks and support safe, responsible development. The DPA will apply to all lands with a slope greater than 30%.

Development Permit Areas are an established mechanism under provincial legislation that allow municipalities to manage development in areas with environmental constraints or hazards. Through this authority, the District can require technical studies, set development conditions, and ensure that risks related to steep slopes, such as instability, erosion, and drainage impacts, are properly addressed before development proceeds. Detailed requirements, decision-making roles, and applicable legislation at each stage of development are outlined in the Steep Slopes Hazard Management Table.

This is a new DPA designation proposed for inclusion in the Official Community Plan. It builds on existing steep slope policies by going further, providing clear development guidelines, application requirements, and expectations for hazard assessment and mitigation. A Steep Slope Development Permit will be required for subdivision, construction, excavation, placement of soil, and tree removal within designated steep slope areas.

The draft DPA support the District's broader strategy to reduce risk, protect the natural environment, and manage the visuals impacts of development. It also aligns with the Strategic Outcome of being Prepared for the Future, with a focus on strengthening resilience to natural hazards and climate-related challenges by September 2026.

The District of Squamish is taking a balanced and research-informed approach to developing the new Steep Slope Development Permit Area. The draft guidelines focus on two main themes: reducing risk and minimizing visual impacts.

This work has been shaped by best practices from other municipalities in British Columbia, along with input from geotechnical and environmental professionals familiar Squamish’s unique terrain and natural hazards.

The goal is to support safe, well-designed developments on steep slopes while protecting the natural character of the community.

Developing steep terrain can present challenges related to slope stability, and safety. The draft guidelines address these risks in several ways:

• A steep slope hazard assessment is required to confirm that land is safe for its intended use and to evaluate how ground and surface water may affect slope stability.
• Site grading, excavation, rock cuts, and retaining walls should be designed by qualified professional engineers.
• Road grades in strata developments should align with District of Squamish standards.
• Vegetation removed during development should be replanted to support slope stability and long-term resilience.

Together, these measures help ensure development is safe, durable, and aligned with professional standards.

The draft DPA also considers how development appears on the landscape. Squamish’s steep hillsides and ridgelines are defining features of the community. The guidelines aim to ensure new development works with the land rather than dramatically reshaping it.

Key principles include:

• Buildings should follow the natural contours of the site. Stepped, clustered, and articulated forms are encouraged.
• Large-scale grading and the creation of expansive flat terraces on hillsides should be avoided.
• Altered slopes should use varied contours and vegetation to avoid sharp angles or a manufactured appearance.
• Retaining walls should be minimized. Walls over 1.2 metres in height should be terraced where possible to reduce visual impact and allow landscaping.
• Retaining wall systems with vertical surfaces over 2.0 metres should be screened with buildings or fire-resistant native vegetation to soften their appearance.
• Trees and vegetation along ridgelines should be retained wherever possible. Buildings and roads should be located below ridgelines to maintain a natural skyline.

Together, these guidelines help maintain the visual character of hillside areas while allowing thoughtful development.

Developing steep slopes often involves balancing competing priorities. The draft guidelines reflect trade-offs between road safety, emergency access, environmental protection, and visual impacts.

Road Gradients and Emergency Access

The proposed DPA includes guidelines that roads in strata development should meet the regulatory requirements of the Subdivision and Development Control Bylaw. The intention is to support District of Squamish emergency response vehicles in Squamish, which may be required to access homes using strata roads. Steeper road gradients can create safety concerns, particularly during snowy conditions. Lower gradient roads can improve safety and accessibility.

Road Gradients and Site Alterations

Achieving lower gradient roads often requires wider and deeper cuts through terrain, which can have additional impacts. This can result in:

• Increased visual impacts
• More extensive retaining walls
• Greater environmental disturbance
• Impacts on development opportunities

The DPA also includes guidelines for retaining walls. These guidelines are intended to limit visual impacts, improve aesthetics, and ensure alignment with the District’s Subdivision and Development Control Bylaw.

Importantly, DPA guidelines are not rigid standards in every circumstance. They are assessed in context. In some cases, higher gradient strata roads may be considered if achieving lower gradients would require extensive site alternation with significant environmental or visual impacts.

This context-based approach allows decisions to be informed by professional judgement while maintaining overall safety and design objectives.

The draft Steep Slope Development Permit Area is now available for public review.

We invite residents, property owners, builders, and developers to review the draft guidelines and share feedback. Public input will be collected and carefully considered before the draft DPA is brought forward for Council for consideration.

Open House

We will also be hosting an in-person open house to hear directly from community members and industry professionals. At this open house, participants can learn more about the draft guidelines, ask questions, and provide feedback to help ensure the guidelines are practical, effective, and support both safety and responsible growth in Squamish.

The open house will take place on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at St. John the Divine Anglican Church, Garibaldi Estates.

Open house times:

• 3 to 5 p.m. - Home builders and development professionals

• 6 to 8 p.m. - Residents and the general public

This engagement opportunity will allow participants to ask questions, share feedback, and discuss the draft guidelines in more detail.