The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is advancing an overhaul of its 21-year-old building bylaw, aiming to streamline permit approvals, introduce clearer rules, and update building safety standards. But the move hasn’t come without constructive criticism—particularly around fee complexity, FireSmart construction, and how much responsibility should be shifted from municipal staff to private professionals.
The RMOW's committee of the whole received a presentation on April 29 from building department manager Melissa Hollis, who walked councillors through the proposed bylaw updates, informed by months of engagement with local builders, architects and residents.
The engagement was a stipulation added last November by Councillor Ralph Forsyth, though some councillors wondered whether it would slow down the process. The bylaw was initially slated for approval this April.
“This is one part of the backbone of the tools that supports the other permit efficiency work,” said Hollis, noting the update is tied to the municipality’s Housing Accelerator Fund commitments.
At its core, the bylaw splits Whistler’s existing building rules into two parts: a regulation bylaw (No. 2482) and a fees and charges bylaw (No. 2483), both based on a provincial template from the Municipal Insurance Association of B.C. (MIABC). But the RMOW customized several sections to better reflect Whistler’s unique context.
New fees structure
One of the most talked-about changes is a proposed shift away from calculating permit fees based on declared construction value. Instead, Whistler plans to introduce a Permit Scope Index (PSI) model—multiplying project type by square footage to produce a set cost.
Staff said this will make fees more predictable, but several survey respondents and councillors flagged concerns about the model’s complexity.
“The intent is not to increase the fees above where they sit today,” said Hollis. “But to distribute them more fairly and consistently across permit types.” Some building permits will cost more, and others, less.
Still, in response to feedback, staff are recommending a phased rollout—keeping the current system in place temporarily while refining PSI categories and updating internal systems.
Coun. Jeff Murl questioned whether the overhaul is truly making life easier for builders, especially given how many rules are still scattered across other municipal bylaws.
“It seems like we maybe missed an opportunity here,” Murl said, referring to items like backflow prevention and fire sprinklers, which are addressed in separate bylaws. Staff pushed back, noting those pieces are already regulated through engineering bylaws or subdivision covenants and including them would create redundancy.
Fire access in, wildfire hazard rules on pause
Survey respondents supported the inclusion of fire access route design and firefighting water supply requirements—two areas Whistler is prioritizing given the danger wildfire presents to the community.
But one item that needs more time is whether Whistler should go further by adding wildfire hazard building requirements to its bylaw. Though 76 per cent of survey respondents supported the idea, Hollis said staff want more time to work with the building community on what such requirements might look like.
Certified professionals: help or headache?
Another topic which took digs from the public and council was the proposed Certified Professional (CP) program, which would allow qualified architects or engineers to take over code compliance reviews for Part 3 buildings which are large, complex projects often over three storeys.
While most survey respondents supported the idea, others raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest that benefits the developer, the systems failure in other communities, trust issues and that having many eyes on a project is more beneficial than one set of CP’s.
Murl suggested Whistler should fully explore what implementation would look like before moving forward. “If we’re going to adopt it, we should adopt it … to its most useful degree,” he said.
Staff plan to return to council in the fall with a detailed recommendation.
