Permitted vs Discretionary

Significance of Permitted (P) vs the Discretionary (D) designation in the Pineview Land Use Bylaw

These designations show up in the land Use bylaws. 

Permitted Uses (P)

Are those uses for which an applicant is entitled to receive a permit as of right, provided the proposed development conforms to all applicable provisions of the land use bylaw. The principle underlying permitted uses is that, as a matter of good planning, certain uses within a given district are so clearly appropriate that the use itself requires no special consideration.

Discretionary Uses (D)

Are those for which the issuance of a development permit depends on the exercise of discretion by the development authority. Unlike permitted uses—considered appropriate for the district at the time the land use bylaw is adopted by council—discretionary uses, while generally suitable for the district, may or may not be compatible with neighbouring uses, depending on the specific circumstances.

The key test for a discretionary use is whether the proposed development is reasonably compatible with surrounding development. 

Source: Planning Director email Nov 2024

Additional Information

A Permitted Use means that if an application meets all of the regulations in the Land Use Bylaw, the Development Authority must approve it.

A Discretionary Use means that even if an application meets all of the regulations, the Development Authority may also consider other impacts (such as noise, traffic, or compatibility with surrounding uses) as part of the review. Based on this review, the Development Authority may approve or refuse the application.

There are limited situations where Council is the approving body for a development application, but this is uncommon and typically occurs only where a special district (such as a Direct Control (Council) District) is applied.

Source: Planning Department Senior Planner Aug 2025