Downzoning Process

The downzoning process is an area-wide rezoning process initiated by property owners to preserve the existing residential character of the neighbourhood (such as mature tree cover and existing views) by reducing the neighbourhood’s maximum allowable building size, height, and lot coverage.

Downzoning requests typically follow a three-phase process:

• Phase 1: Pre-screening to initiate the process
• Phase 2: Neighbourhood consultation
• Phase 3: Council consideration of a proposed rezoning

Downzoning Guidelines

The following guidelines should be followed for property owners who would like to proceed with a downzoning request:

Boundary guidelines

Several elements should be considered when proponents establish a boundary for a downzoning proposal:

• Specifically Defined Area: The petition area should have a contiguous and logically consistent boundary.
• Same Zoning: Lots in the petition area should all have the same existing and proposed zoning.
• Facing Lots: Lots that face each other along the same street should be included within the boundary area.
• Major Roads: Major roads delineating neighbourhoods could be considered as boundary edges.
• Topography: Changes in slope could be considered as natural boundary edges.
• Parkland and Schools: Parkland and schools could define boundary edges.

Minimum number of lots

Consider including a minimum of 100 lots for a downzoning petition.

Threshold neighbourhood support

Three categories have been established to help determine the level of neighbourhood support for a proposal. These are outlined below:

• Insufficient Neighbourhood Support (less than 50%): If the level of support from the Phase 2 survey results is less than 50% of the total lots, then the proposal will not proceed to Phase 3 of the Downzoning Process.
• Moderate Neighbourhood Support (between 50 to 64%): If the level of support from the Phase 2 survey results is between 50 to 64% of the total lots, then staff will work with the proponents on further neighbourhood consultation before proceeding to Phase 3 of the Downzoning Process.
• Sufficient Neighbourhood Support (65% or more): If the level of support from the Phase 2 survey results is 65% or more of the total lots, then the proposal will proceed to Phase 3 of the Downzoning Process.

Key Documents

• Boundary Guidelines & Illustration
• Typical Downzoning Process Diagram
• Downzoning Process Guidelines Corporate Report

Previous Downzoning Processes

Learn about previous downzoning processes:

Al Cleaver and Tom Hopkins Ravine Park Neighbourhood

• Corporate Report No. R216 (October 28, 2013)
• Corporate Report No. R173 (September 9, 2013)
• Corporate Report No. R101 (May 27, 2013)

Birdland Area Neighbourhood

• Corporate Report No. R258 (December 18, 2017)
• Corporate Report No. R149 (July 10, 2017)

Bolivar Park Neighbourhood and Extension Area

• Corporate Report No. R051 (March 7, 2016)
• Corporate Report No. R216 (November 2, 2015)
• Corporate Report No. R095 (May 25, 2015)

Cloverdale Slope

• Corporate Report No. R175 (July 24, 2017)
• Corporate Report No. R081 (April 24, 2017) 

Crescent Park Annex Area

• Corporate Report No. R154 (July 28, 2008)
• Corporate Report No. L007 (June 26, 2007)

Kwomais Point Park Neighbourhood Area 1

• Corporate Report No. R186 (September 14, 2015)
• Corporate Report No. R171 (July 27, 2015)
• Corporate Report No. R142 (June 29, 2015)

Kwomais Point Park Neighbourhood Area 2

• Corporate Report No. R052 (March 7, 2016)
• Corporate Report No. R024 (February 1, 2016)
• Corporate Report No. R217 (November 2, 2015)

Royal Heights Park Neighbourhood

• Corporate Report No. R208 (November 7, 2011)
• Corporate Report No. L002 (February 25, 2008)
• Corporate Report No. L008 (July 23, 2007)

St. Helen's Park Neighbourhood

• Corporate Report No. L009 (October 30, 2006)
• Corporate Report No. R129 (June 26, 2006)

For more information on the downzoning process, please contact Fay Wong, Associate Planner, at 604-591-4496 or e-mail fkwong@surrey.ca