← Growth and development · All issues

Is the town's growth plan being rewritten, and where will new homes go?

The (OCP), or town plan, is the master plan for where and how Squamish grows; the current one was adopted in 2018. Council has been adding provincial housing rules and neighbourhood plans, most recently Garibaldi Estates for more homes. Staff's draft budget proposes a full town plan rewrite starting in 2027.

📍 Garibaldi Estates

Where it stands step 2 of 6

  1. Province's housing update added to the town plan November 18, 2025
    Council adopted the interim housing needs amendment (Bylaw 3139). [source]
  2. Garibaldi Estates zoned for more homes ahead of time October 6, 2026
    Final adoption of the Garibaldi Estates zoning bylaws was on the October 6 agenda; the minutes confirming the result are not posted yet. [source]
  3. Full town plan update funded in the 2027 budget
    Staff's draft 2027 to 2036 plan proposes $97,500 in 2027 and about $540,000 more in 2028 and 2029; the budget is not yet adopted. [source]
  4. Public engagement on the new plan
    Not yet scheduled. [source]
  5. Readings and public hearing
    A town plan bylaw needs readings and, usually, a public hearing. [source]
  6. New town plan adopted [source]

What happens next: The new council decides in the 2027 budget whether to fund a full town plan rewrite starting in 2027, and will see the Newport Ridge neighbourhood plan and other growth proposals.

How this council has voted on it

The new council hasn’t voted on this yet. Every vote on it will appear here.

What each of them said during the campaign

“Squamish is growing too fast. Council should slow the pace of new development approvals.”

“Taller buildings (above 6 storeys) should be allowed downtown and near transit and services.”

“Squamish should open new land and new neighbourhoods for housing, rather than adding density to existing ones.”

“Height and density should follow clear rules set in advance, rather than being negotiated project by project.”

Earlier history (before this council)
  • October 6, 2026: Bylaws zoning Garibaldi Estates for more homes ahead of time were on the agenda for final adoption (minutes not yet posted). [source]
  • July 7, 2026: Council gave first and second reading to a Steep Slopes change to the town plan and set a public hearing. [source]
  • May 19, 2026: Council gave three readings to five bylaws zoning Garibaldi Estates for more homes ahead of time; the medium lot zone passed 5 to 2. (Councillors Hamilton and Greenlaw opposed the medium lot zone) [source]
  • November 18, 2025: Council adopted the town plan change adding the provincially required interim housing needs report. [source]
  • June 3, 2025: Council adopted the Garibaldi Estates Neighbourhood Plan. [source]

Have your say

The swearing in meeting is ceremonial. There is no question period and no letters on the agenda. To raise something with the new council, write to council@squamish.ca after November 3. Letters sent before then go to the outgoing council.

Watch. Live and afterward on the District’s YouTube channel.