Cortes Island went through an 18-month zoning review process through the SRD, and as a community we advocated for changes that will create more housing options on our island. After much consultation and debate, a bylaw was passed on November 19, 2025. Click here to read it in full: 2025 Cortes Zoning Bylaw

The following changes are included in the new Zoning Bylaw:

• One additional dwelling unit in R-1, RR-1, and RU-1 zones, except for RU-1 lots over 16 hectares to maintain current density on larger rural lots. This results in a total increase of 427 more possible dwelling units.
• Increased ADU (aka “cabin”) size from 60 square meters (too small for a family) to 110 square meters. 
• Rainbow Ridge now permitted 35 units total on the 51-acre property.
• More flexibility on larger lots (e.g. in R-1 no prescribed building types for dwelling units on lots larger than 3 hectares).
• Introduction of duplexes where an existing house with a suite is permitted (same building type but now allows owners more flexibility).
• Changed some RU-1 zoned properties to RR-1 in alignment with the OCP land use designations map.