FAQ - Industrial Zoning Modernization

To help implement the new Official Community Plan, Council directed staff to modernize the City’s zoning.  Due to the complexity and volume of the Zoning Regulation Bylaw with over 900 zones, the modernization work is being completed in phases. This second phase builds on the Industry, Arts and Innovation District work that occurred in the first phase.

• Update zoning to align with the City’s Urban Industrial Land Reserve policies contained in the OCP. 
• Increase flexibility and economic viability for industrial and employment-related uses and activities.
• Recognize and enable the needs of light, heavy and marine industrial operations.
• Ensure zoning helps to protect, maintain and intensify the City’s industrial land base.
• Encourage the inclusion of space for arts and cultural production, performance and education in light industrial areas.
• Allow complementary uses that support, but do not displace industry.

You can view the boundary map here.

The Marine Industrial Zone (MI-1) preserves industrial zoning close to the working harbour and accommodates intensive industrial activities that benefit from deep-water harbour access.

The MI-1 zone introduces a new Marine Industrial use to accommodate shipyards, boat maintenance, repair and deconstruction activities as well as the assembly, production, or storage of marine-related materials and products.

The Light Industrial zone promotes and supports the existing light industrial land base to preserve and enhance high-value ground floor light industrial space and support other light industrial, employment or arts and cultural uses on upper floors, including opportunities for other complementary uses that do not displace industry.    

The Heavy Industrial zone aims to preserve and enhance the existing heavy industrial land base that is vital to support growth, development, innovation and economic prosperity within Victoria and the broader region. 

Phase 2 included workshops and direct meetings with industrial property owners and businesses to inform the draft zones.  A postcard is being mailed to industrial property owners, businesses, and industry partners to share information about the update and invite feedback. 

No, the proposed update is focused on industrial zoning. Visit engage.victoria.ca/cswp to learn about the City’s Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan.

In the first phase of the update, new zones were introduced for residential areas across the city, town Centres, urban villages and the industrial lands contained in the Industry, Arts and Innovation District.  

The development of new industrial zones was largely informed through engagement that occurred as part of the Industry, Arts and Innovation District Action Plan and included feedback from over 500 people including a range of industrial property owners and businesses.  Additional feedback was received in conjunction with the OCP engagement process, including a workshop with industrial stakeholders.

This update aligns with the Council direction to modernize the City’s zoning bylaws, as well as the Urban Industrial Land Reserve and Working Harbour policies in Section 1.5 of the OCP.

On October 2, 2025, Council adopted a new Official Community Plan: Victoria 2050 after a two year planning process, including a public hearing.

The updated OCP charts a course for Victoria to address current and emerging challenges while honouring and enhancing the city’s unique and historic character. The plan sets the vision and framework to balance growth with preservation and guide the City’s work, decisions and actions over the next three decades.

The changes are part of a citywide process intended to support housing solutions, climate action and complete communities that will shape Victoria through to 2050.

To learn more about the OCP update process you can review the core materials Council considered and view past OCP Council sessions.