Retail Cannabis in West Vancouver

After this interim policy is in place, residents will still have input into future retail cannabis businesses. 

Applicants wishing to open a retail cannabis business in West Vancouver can apply for a rezoning or for a temporary use permit. Both of these processes include opportunities for public input. 

Both temporary use permits and rezoning applications require public consultation, including neighbourhood notification to surrounding residents and a newspaper advertisement. Both kinds of requests would require submitting a Development Application Form (applicants select which type of permit they are applying for within this form). 

Temporary use permit process

• the applicant is required to host a public information meeting during the review process for the application
• notification to surrounding residents and businesses is sent out advertising the meeting
• the District publishes a notice in the newspaper
• the District issues neighbourhood notification advising people of when the Temporary Use Permit will be considered and opportunities for the public to provide input. 

Rezoning application process

• the applicant is required to host a minimum of two public information meetings (prior to submission of an application and prior to the public hearing, if scheduled)
• notification to surrounding residents and businesses is sent out advertising these meetings
• the District publishes a notice of the public hearing in the newspaper
• the District issues neighbourhood notification inviting people to provide their feedback and to attend the public hearing to provide comments directly to Mayor and Council. 

Feedback obtained from the public for both temporary use permit and rezoning applications would be summarized in the District’s recommendation to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch. 

Further information on the notification and public consultation requirements are found in the Development Procedures Bylaw and the Local Government Act. 

Currently, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all public engagement opportunities will be virtual. 

The distance criteria from sensitive areas (e.g. schools) vary between Lower Mainland municipalities and range from 75 metres to 300 metres. A 100-metre separation from schools is proposed due to the small concentration of commercial areas. A 200-metre separation distance would eliminate the entire Dundarave commercial area due to Irwin Park Elementary School's proximity. In contrast, a 100-metre separation distance allows for retail cannabis to be considered on the south side of Marine Drive. It reduces the travel distance required for consumers looking to purchase cannabis in the District.

Applicants need permission from the provincial Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB), as well as the District, to operate. The two agencies work together. 

The LCRB will not process provincial licence applications for non-medical retail cannabis until a recommendation from the District is received. 

Find information about the LCRB’s non-medical cannabis licences and how to apply on their website.

Yes, a business licence or temporary use permit for retail cannabis can be cancelled or revoked if the terms and conditions of the business licence or temporary use permit are not met or if bylaw infractions occur.  As well, if Council were to adopt a Non-medical Retail Cannabis Policy, staff could recommend refusal of an application if the criteria from the policy were not met.

The Caulfeild shopping area has not been included in the proposed areas for consideration for cannabis retail as it is located within the 100-metre separation distance to Rockridge Secondary School.

Cannabis businesses wishing to locate in the District can apply for a rezoning or temporary use permit (TUP). 

A TUP could be issued to allow cannabis retail use for a term of up to three years.  A TUP can only be renewed once for an additional three-year term (to a maximum of 6 years total). 

An applicant can also choose to apply for a rezoning application that would permanently permit cannabis retail use on the property, if approved. Both temporary use permits and rezoning applications require public consultation, including neighbourhood notification to surrounding residents and a newspaper advertisement.

If Council were to approve the Interim Cannabis Retail Policy, staff would evaluate site-specific applications using the policy criteria. For rezoning applications, a public hearing is required, and a Council decision would be required to permit cannabis retail applications. For temporary use permits, the Director of Planning and Development Services can consider applications under specific circumstances. However, the Director can refer applications directly to Council.

The District does not currently have a retail cannabis policy to guide the evaluation of business licence applications from retailers wishing to open retail cannabis businesses in West Vancouver.

Interested retailers have been advised to apply for either a temporary use permit application or a rezoning application. In the absence of a policy to guide the evaluation of site-specific applications, staff would review each application on a case-by-case basis.

 If Council were to adopt an Interim Non-medical Cannabis Retail Policy, staff would use the policy to evaluate each site-specific application received.

Yes, staff have received three applications for retail cannabis stores: one in Ambleside Town Centre and two in Horseshoe Bay.