Thursday January 16, 2026 | LANGFORD, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Direct Link to the StoryMap Public Input Exercise about Langford’s Design Guidelines for New Developments
The City of Langford is undertaking an significant update of its Form & Character Development Permit Area (DPA) guidelines.
This exercise is underway as part of helping ensure future development that reflects the community’s vision for design quality, character, and placemaking.
Public input on the Langford Design Guidelines for New Developments opened January 12 and is available online to 11:59 pm on January 25, 2026.
This is one more example of how the current Langford Mayor and Council (elected in 2022) are implementing large shifts in how the city develops and grows.
StoryMap:
The public input takes the form of sharing ideas by exploring the StoryMap exercise(External link) and highlighting places that reflect good design, or locations where updates could help enhance the look and feel of the community.
StoryMap input offers a simple thumbs up/down format — which is a bit generalized but will likely provide sufficient indicators to the survey process based on written comments that the participant can type into the comment field.
There is an interactive map where the participant can indicate three (3) areas of good design.
New development:
Development Permit Areas are locations in Langford where special guidelines apply to new development.
- They help shape how buildings look, feel, and fit into their surroundings.
- The permits help contribute to creating or supporting walkable streets, attractive buildings, and high-quality spaces.
- High-quality spaces are generally valued as those which provide function as well as a sense of livability.
There is a lot of new development in Langford as the city continues to attract new residents. The population is over 50,000 and will likely reach for 100,000 over the next 25 years.
Form and character:
Langford’s design guidelines project is focused on form and character guidelines which shape the design of buildings and neighbourhoods through things like:
- Good design principles: making sure new development fits well with the community.
- Street appearance: the overall look and vibe of a street.
- Building size and shape: how tall, wide, and visually balanced buildings are.
- Landscaping and green space: trees, plants, and areas for people to enjoy.
- Architectural style and materials: the design details and what buildings are made of.
- Pedestrian experience: making streets safer, welcoming, and pleasant for people walking.
Creating livability:
The BC Local Government Act allows cities like Langford to set rules for how new developments should look and feel.
These rules, called “Design Guidelines” make sure that as Langford grows, our neighborhoods stay attractive, livable, and true to the character of our city.
The guidelines guide things like building style, streetscapes, and public spaces so growth adds quality, not just quantity.
Why the update?
Langford is growing quickly. There are new building types, a variety of land uses, and changes to the overall look of the city within the west shore area of Greater Victoria.
The City feels the guidelines are important for how they shape how development fits into its surroundings, along major streets, within neighborhoods, and near parks and open spaces.
The current guidelines were first adopted in 2008, and have only had minor updates since then.
“It’s now time for a refresh. The new guidelines will help achieve better design for buildings and neighborhoods and make the review process faster and more effective,” says the City of Langford on their Let’s Chat Langford public input page.
The update will also align with Langford’s updated Official Community Plan (OCP). Langford’s new OCP, particularly Part 7: High Quality City-Building, highlights the community’s commitment to well-designed growth and great places.
The update will be up for approval by Council in March 2026.
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