To meet new provincial housing legislative requirements. This includes reviewing and updating:

  • OCP growth management policies to allow for the uses and densities allowed by small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH) and Transit-oriented Development (TOD) bylaws.
    • This change will also meet the requirement to accommodate Whistler's 20-year housing needs identified in the Interim Housing Needs Report.
  • Housing policies respecting the provincial classes of housing need.

In late 2023, the Provincial government passed several pieces of legislation to increase housing supply across British Columbia. To date, the RMOW has taken the following required steps to meet the new legislative requirements:

  • In June 2024, the Zoning and Parking Bylaw No.303, 2015 was amended to allow for SSMUH and the whistler gondola exchange was designated as a TOD area.
  • In December 2024, the Interim HNR was presented to Council, identifying Whistler’s five year and 20-year housing needs as defined by the Province.

To learn more about these initiatives, please see the tabs below.

The new Provincial housing legislation required local governments to amend their zoning bylaws to allow for Small-scale Multi-unit Housing (SSMUH) by June 30, 2024.

On June 11, 2024, Council adopted “Zoning Amendment Bylaw (Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing) No. 2440, 2024”, as well as two other associated amendments to “Zoning and Parking Bylaw No. 303, 2015” on March 11, 2025. This amendment allows for three to four dwelling units on residential parcels, where applicable, to encourage infill housing. This applies to approximately 3035 parcels in Whistler, of which 93 parcels allow for up to three dwelling units and 2942 parcels allow for up to four dwelling units. Review the SSMUH zoning bylaw amendments and related documents.

What this means for the 2025 OCP amendment: The OCP growth management policies are legislatively required to be updated to allow for the uses and densities permitted by SSMUH.

The RMOW was required by the Province to designate the Whistler Gondola Exchange as a Transit-oriented Development (TOD) area. This includes properties within a 200 metre and 400 metre radius. Applicable properties in the TOD area may apply for a rezoning application to allow for the provincial minimum allowable density and height. The following table provides the provincial minimum allowable density and height in the TOD area:

Prescribed Distance (metres)

Minimum Allowable Density (FAR/FSR)

Minimum Allowable Height (Storeys) 

Less than 200

Up to 2.5

Up to 6

200 - 400

Up to 1.5

Up to 4

The TOD area is shown below and can also be viewed on the GIS Whistler Map, by turning on the "Transit Oriented Area Designation" layer, listed under the category "Land Use".

What this means for the 2025 OCP amendment: The OCP growth management policies, are legislatively required to be updated to allow for the uses and densities permitted by the TOD bylaw.

The Province of B.C. introduced new requirements for Housing Needs Reports (HNR), including a new methodology that must be used to calculate the 20-year and five-year housing need. Local governments were required to complete an Interim HNRs by January 1, 2025. Whistler’s Interim HNR presents the anticipated housing need over the next five and 20 years calculated using the Provincially required method:

  • Five years - 1,572 dwelling units; and
  • 20 years - 5,639 dwelling units.

What this means for the 2025 OCP amendment: After completing the Interim HNR, municipalities are legislatively required to review and, if necessary, update their OCP and zoning bylaw by December 31, 2025 to accommodate the number of housing units identified to meet the 20-year housing need. Based on preliminary analysis, Whistler’s 20-year need, as identified in the Interim HNR, is already accommodated as required in the Zoning Bylaw as a result of Small-scale Multi-unit Housing (SSMUH) zoning and existing residentially zoned and undeveloped parcels.

Moving forward: The next HNR is required to be completed by December 31, 2028 and every five years after. The OCP and Zoning Bylaw are required to be reviewed and updated as necessary within the following two years of completion of the HNR.

Current OCP policies respecting classes of housing need

Provincial classes of Housing Need

For reference, the current OCP policies regarding the provincial classes of housing need are identified here. Additionally, beyond the seven specified housing classes, policies regarding employee housing have also been included. Where applicable, key words are shown in bold to highlight the connection between the identified objectives and policies and the associated class of housing need.

The OCP is required to include policies respecting each of the following provincial classes of housing need:

  • Affordable housing;
  • Rental housing;
  • Special needs housing;
  • Seniors’ housing;
  • Family housing;
  • Shelters for individuals experiencing homelessness and housing for individuals at risk of homelessness; and
  • Housing in close proximity to transportation infrastructure that supports walking, bicycling, public transit or other alternative forms of transport.

Affordable housing

Objective 5.1.2.  House at least 75 per cent of Whistler’s workforce within the resort community in livable, appropriate and affordable housing. 
5.1.2.10 Policy When determining if the objective of housing 75 per cent of Whistler’s workforce is being met, factor in quality, livability, appropriateness and affordability indicators such as number of people per room or dwelling, percentage of income spent on housing, life stage and family size. 
5.2.1.2. Policy Identify, implement and update financial and regulatory tools as required to ensure employee housing remains affordable as community needs evolve. 
5.1.3.4. Policy Recover housing inventory by actively enforcing against illegal nightly rentals of residentially zoned properties.
Objective 6.2.1.  Support Whistler’s workforce by encouraging employee-focused initiatives related to customer service, affordable housing, living wages and resident retention. 
8.10.1.2. PolicyEncourage opportunities for youth and young adults to remain in the community, including opportunities for stable and affordable housing, and career development and advancement. 

Rental housing

5.1.3.1. Policy  Maintain an inventory of employee housing in perpetuity, for rental and ownership tenures, to be available for employees.  
5.3.1.3. Policy Encourage a diversity of housing types and tenures (rental and ownership) responsive to the needs of all age groups and family types, including singles, couples, young adults and families, seasonal residents, people with disabilities and seniors, and to support their transition through different housing types as their needs change

Special needs housing

5.3.1.1. Policy Encourage residential neighbourhood and building design to meet Universal Design standards and best practices
5.3.1.3. PolicyEncourage a diversity of housing types and tenures (rental and ownership) responsive to the needs of all age groups and family types, including singles, couples, young adults and families, seasonal residents, people with disabilities and seniors, and to support their transition through different housing types as their needs change.
5.3.1.4. PolicyCollaborate with appropriate agencies and organizations to investigate requirements and provide, on an as-needed basis, affordable housing and special needs housing including emergency shelter, transitional housing or special care facilities. 
8.8.1.1. PolicyEncourage development and redevelopment to implement Universal Design principles. 

Seniors' housing

5.1.2.10. PolicyWhen determining if the objective of housing 75 per cent of Whistler’s workforce is being met, factor in quality, livability, appropriateness and affordability indicators such as number of people per room or dwelling, percentage of income spent on housing, life stage and family size.  
5.2.1. ObjectiveEncourage a range of price points within employee housing to meet the needs of the diverse workforce and retiree groups. 
5.2.1.1. Policy Acknowledge there are broad differences in the community’s workforce demographics (e.g., family structure, age, income levels) and as such there are different housing needs, which will evolve over time.  
5.3.1.3. Policy Encourage a diversity of housing types and tenures (rental and ownership) responsive to the needs of all age groups and family types, including singles, couples, young adults and families, seasonal residents, people with disabilities and seniors, and to support their transition through different housing types as their needs change. 
8.8.1.3 Policy  Promote land use patterns, transportation routes and community facilities, amenities and spaces that meet the needs of an aging demographic.

Family housing

5.1.2.10. PolicyWhen determining if the objective of housing 75 per cent of Whistler’s workforce is being met, factor in quality, livability, appropriateness and affordability indicators such as number of people per room or dwelling, percentage of income spent on housing, life stage and family size.  
5.2.1. ObjectiveEncourage a range of price points within employee housing to meet the needs of the diverse workforce and retiree groups. 
5.2.1.1. Policy Acknowledge there are broad differences in the community’s workforce demographics (e.g., family structure, age, income levels) and as such there are different housing needs, which will evolve over time.  
5.3.1.3. Policy Encourage a diversity of housing types and tenures (rental and ownership) responsive to the needs of all age groups and family types, including singles, couples, young adults and families, seasonal residents, people with disabilities and seniors, and to support their transition through different housing types as their needs change. 

Shelters and housing for individuals experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness

5.3.1.4. PolicyCollaborate with appropriate agencies and organizations to investigate requirements and provide, on an as-needed basis, affordable housing and special needs housing including emergency shelter, transitional housing or special care facilities.  

Housing in close proximity to transportation infrastructure

4.1.4.6. PolicyIntegrate compatible land uses where appropriate to enhance community livability and walkability.
5.4.1.2. PolicyEncourage flexibility in zoning and consider infill developments that take advantage of existing infrastructure, have close proximity to transit, commercial centres, amenities and services, and are compatible with the adjacent neighbourhood character.
5.4.1.3. Policy Ensure all neighbourhoods are well-connected to local transit, trails, green space, amenities and services.
8.8.1.3. Policy Promote land use patterns, transportation routes and community facilities, amenities and spaces that meet the needs of an aging demographic.
11.2.1. Objective  Support compact and higher density development in proximity to existing commercial services, transit stops and the Valley Trail and provide sufficient transit frequency to higher density residential areas.
11.2.1.2. PolicyEnsure that new housing developments consider proximity to existing commercial services, existing and proposed transit routes, and the Valley Trail.

Employee housing

The OCP provides a number of employee housing objectives and policies, this is not an exhaustive list.

5.1.2. ObjectiveHouse at least 75 per cent of Whistler’s workforce within the resort community in livable, appropriate and affordable housing.
5.1.3. ObjectiveProtect Whistler’s existing housing and employee housing supply.
5.1.3.1. Policy Maintain an inventory of employee housing in perpetuity, for rental and ownership tenures, to be available for employees.
5.2.1. Policy Encourage a range of price points within employee housing to meet the needs of the diverse workforce and retiree groups.
5.2.1.2. Policy  Identify, implement and update financial and regulatory tools as required to ensure employee housing remains affordable as community needs evolve.