Public Hearings

What is a Public Hearing?

A Public Hearing is a part of Council’s review when applications are made to change the City’s Official Community Plan or Zoning Bylaw. A Public Hearing is the primary means for the public to present their views to Council on the item(s) contained in that evening’s Public Hearing agenda. The Public Hearing is a formal opportunity for Council to hear from the public. The purpose is not for Council to discuss and debate the topic.

See the Public Hearing Information Sheet for more information regarding Public Hearings at the City of Nanaimo.

Upcoming Public Hearings

Public Hearing Date: 2025-JUN-19

Please read the “How Can I Participate” section below for more information on how to participate the upcoming public hearing.

A copy of the proposed bylaws and related information are available below (under Attachments), and may also be inspected in-person from June 4, 2025, to June 19, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding statutory holidays), at the City of Nanaimo Service and Resource Centre, located at 411 Dunsmuir Street.

Bylaw No.4500.235
Location of Public Hearing:Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. Shaw Auditorium at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre at 80 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC
Purpose of Proposed Bylaw:To amend “City of Nanaimo Zoning Bylaw 2011, No. 4500” to update the requirements and definitions related to landscape buffers, public plazas, waste management enclosures, and fencing; and, to update the guidelines in Development Permit Area 8 (DPA8) Form and Character with the Form and Character Design Guidelines (2025).
Attachments:

Notice of Public Hearing

Form and Character Design Guidelines May 2025

2025-MAY-26 Staff Report

2025-APR-22 Information Report

2025-APR-14 Staff Report

Phase 1 Engagement Summary

Phase 2 Engagement Summary

Bylaw No.7266.04
Location of Public Hearing:Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. Shaw Auditorium at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre at 80 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC
Purpose of Proposed Bylaw:To amend the City of Nanaimo “Off-Street Parking Regulations Bylaw 2018 No. 7266” to remove minimum parking space requirements for all uses in the Downtown Urban Centre. There will continue to be regulations for accessible parking, bicycle parking, and electric vehicle charging equipment.
Attachments:

Notice of Public Hearing

2025-MAY-26 Staff Report


How Can I Participate?

  1. It is strongly recommended that you submit your comments Online or by email to public.hearing@nanaimo.ca. In your submission, please note the bylaw number and your position of support or opposition for the proposal. The deadline for submissions is 2:00 p.m. on the day of the Council meeting when the Public Hearing will take place.
  2. Watch the livestream video of the public hearing at the link below. 
  3. Call the Public Hearing Hot Line (250-755-4455) during the meeting (see details below).
  4. Attend in-person at the Public Hearing, held in the Shaw Auditorium, Vancouver Island Conference Centre, 80 Commercial Street, at 7:00 p.m. 

 

Click here to view the Public Hearing agenda and watch the live video. The video will become available once the meeting has started.

To Call-In During the Public Hearing:

  • Watch the meeting livestream and call in when the item you wish to speak to is being presented. Note, there will be up to a 60 second delay in the livestream. 
  • Call in using the phone number (250-755-4455) displayed onscreen during the meeting. You will be put on hold until it's your turn to speak. 
  • Calls will be answered in the order they are received.
  • When it's your turn to speak, staff will unmute your call and announce that you are the next speaker.
  • State your name and address and the item you are speaking to. You will be given three minutes to speak and your comments must be relevant to the item being considered.
  • Please mute all audio devices of the live meeting while you are speaking on the phone to prevent feedback. Do not put your phone on speaker phone.

Public Hearing Documents

See agendas, minutes and reports for past and upcoming Public Hearings

See written submissions from previous Public Hearings

See the Public Hearing Process Policy

Contact Us

Current Planning Section
250-755-4429 ext. 4275
planning@nanaimo.ca

Last updated: June 4, 2025

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