The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) in British Columbia will hold a public hearing on February 6 to discuss new regulations for cannabis producers.

This is the second phase of a process the FVRD board first started in 2019. Phase 1 was completed in March 2020 when the board drafted bylaws for cannabis production in specific electoral areas within the FVRD, a matter the board called “urgent.”

At the time, the FVRD was home to several cannabis production facilities, including large greenhouses, that often led to complaints from homeowners about odour and light. Based on significant community support, phase 1 prohibited cannabis land uses in Electoral Areas D, E, F and H, shown in the map below.

Phase 2 is about what type of cannabis land use will be permitted within the FVRD. The FVRD Board gave First Reading to Fraser Valley Regional District Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1723, 2023, at its meeting on November 23, 2023.

Staff recommendations take into account the differences between small-scale micro cannabis facilities and standard facilities, which tend to be larger. 

Micro facilities would be permitted in all zones and electoral areas where a Cannabis Production Facility is currently permitted. They would be allowed in agricultural and rural zones on parcels with a minimum size of four hectares (10 acres), a maximum building gross floor area of 600 square metres, as well as screening requirements and setbacks. 

Standard facilities would be allowed only in Industrial Zones (General Industrial, Heavy Industrial, Resource Industrial 1) and would also require setbacks and screening. 

The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 6:00 pm.