Delta's new council to give final approval to building and development bylaw changes
The outgoing council gave preliminary approval to amendments to two bylaws on Oct. 26; the new council will vote on final approval at its first meeting on Nov. 2.
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Delta's outgoing council gave preliminary approval to amendments to two bylaws at its final meeting on Oct. 26, and the new council will vote on final approval at its first meeting on Nov. 2.
The Delta Optimist reported on Oct. 31 that the outgoing council approved changes to the Development and Subdivision Standards Bylaw and the Building/Plumbing Bylaw. Anne Berry, Delta's General Manager of Development, told the council the amendments are meant to improve clarity, align the bylaws with current administrative practices and ensure they match applicable regulations.
What the amendments change
The Delta Optimist reports three types of changes in the amendments.
First, the amendments update definitions in both bylaws and improve building application submission requirements. Second, they add inspection requirements to align city practices with the BC Building Code. Third, they change how three staff positions are defined in the bylaw: Chief Building Official, Director of Development and General Manager of Development would each shift from being named as council appointments to being named as city appointments.
Berry said the practice across most municipalities is that some positions, such as chief administrative officers and chief financial officers, must be appointed by council, but other positions are appointed through the chief administrative officer.
Councillor calls for final vote by new council
Councillor Alicia Guichon, who was re-elected to Delta Council in October 2026 with Achieving for Delta, told the Delta Optimist that several letters of concern had been submitted and that clarification was needed. She said she is comfortable that final approval will fall to the new council.
During the campaign, Achieving for Delta promised to give building permit applicants clearer, faster decisions. The bylaw amendments include changes to building application submission requirements. The new council has not yet voted on final approval of those changes. You can follow Guichon's promises at /bc/delta-2026/candidates/alicia-guichon.
What happens next
The new Delta council holds its inaugural meeting on Nov. 2, 2026. Final approval of the bylaw amendments is expected to come before the new council at that meeting or a subsequent one. Residents can attend the council meeting at Delta City Hall, or follow the new council's decisions and each elected person's promises at /bc/delta-2026/tracker.
Questions this story answers
What bylaws did the outgoing Delta council change?
At their final meeting on Oct. 26, 2026, the outgoing Delta council gave preliminary approval to amendments to two bylaws: the Development and Subdivision Standards Bylaw and the Building/Plumbing Bylaw. The Delta Optimist reported the council's decision on Oct. 31, 2026.
What do the bylaw amendments change?
According to the Delta Optimist, the amendments update definitions in both bylaws, improve building application submission requirements and add inspection requirements to ensure the city's practices match the BC Building Code. They also change how three staff positions are defined: instead of naming them as council appointments, the bylaws would say they are city appointments, reflecting how the appointments actually work.
Which three staff positions are affected by the definition changes?
The Delta Optimist reports the amendments affect the definitions of Chief Building Official, Director of Development and General Manager of Development. All three would be changed from council appointments to city appointments, which staff say matches how those positions are already filled.
Why is this change being made now?
Anne Berry, Delta's General Manager of Development, told the outgoing council the changes are meant to improve clarity, align the bylaws with current administrative practices and ensure they match applicable regulations, according to the Delta Optimist.
Who spoke about the bylaw changes at the final meeting?
Councillor Alicia Guichon, who was re-elected to council in October 2026 with Achieving for Delta, told the Delta Optimist that several letters of concern had been submitted and clarification was needed. She said she was comfortable that final approval would fall to the new council.
When does the new Delta council vote on final approval?
The new Delta council holds its first meeting on Nov. 2, 2026, according to the City's own list of important dates. Final approval of the bylaw amendments is expected to come before the new council at that meeting or a subsequent one.
Does this relate to any promises the new councillors made during the campaign?
Councillor Alicia Guichon's party, Achieving for Delta, promised during the campaign to give building permit applicants clearer, faster decisions. The bylaw changes include improved building application submission requirements, which are part of the permitting process, though the council has not yet voted on final approval.
Where can I follow what the new Delta council decides?
You can follow the new council's decisions and the promises each elected person made at /bc/delta-2026/tracker. The new council holds its inaugural meeting on Nov. 2, 2026 at Delta City Hall. Pages for each elected person show their promises and any records of them being kept.
Sources
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