Application maps and site plans

Crown land applications must be accompanied by plans or drawings, a general location map, site plan(s) and a digital spatial file that meet the standards on this page or the application will be returned. The maps must allow government staff the ability to translate what’s been submitted into the provincial map systems. 

On this page

• What you need to submit
• Creating maps and spatial files
• Program specific requirements and sample maps 
• Petroleum and Natural Gas grid descriptions on unsurveyed Crown land

What you need to submit

Crown land applications must include all of the following: 

1. General location map 

A digital map (pdf, jpg or other commonly used format) showing where the application area is located in the province in relation to nearby communities or landmarks.

The map must include a scale, a north arrow, nearby geographic features such as towns, roads and waterbodies, and a clear marker showing the application location.  

Requirements are: 

• Scale between 1:20,000 and 1:200,000 
• North arrow 
• Nearby geographic features such as towns, roads and waterbodies 
• Clear marker identifying the application area (for example: point, star, dot, et cetera) 

2. Site plans

 A digital site plan (PDF, JPG or other commonly used format) showing the detailed layout of the project, including the outer boundary of the application area and all existing or proposed improvements within it.  Additional maps or descriptions may be required if site details cannot be captured in the spatial file.  

Some land uses may have specific site plan requirements or require additional map types such as profiles or cross-sections. Refer to the applicable program areas below for more information.    

3. Digital spatial file

A digital spatial file of the outer boundary of the proposed application area is required. The preferred format is a shapefile projected in BC Albers / NAD 83 and submitted with .shp, .shx, .dbf and .prj files. Other commonly used spatial formats (PDF, 165KB) may also be submitted. Spatial files must be polygons. Point or line files are not accepted.  

Creating maps and spatial files

There are free public mapping programs available to create location maps, site plans and spatial files. These tools are suitable for basic mapping needs. If you require assistance, contact FrontCounter BC. 

For complex applications, contact FrontCounter BC before preparing your mapping package. A consultant, such as an engineering firm, surveyor or land agent, may be recommended.   

If creating a manual map, you may use a metes and bounds (PDF, 136KB) description. 

Program specific requirements and sample maps

Select the Crown land use: 

• Adventure Tourism and Commercial Recreation (PDF, 766KB)
• Aggregate (PDF, 580KB)
• Agriculture (PDF, 1MB)
• Airports (PDF, 527KB)
• Commercial, Marina, Film, Golf Courses (PDF, 2.2MB)
• Communication Sites (PDF, 452KB)
• Community and Institutional (PDF, 124KB)
• Industrial, Mining and Log Handling (PDF, 743KB) 
• Private Moorage - Freshwater and Marine (PDF, 563KB)
• Residential (PDF, 563KB)
• Roadways (PDF, 2.3MB)
• Utilities including Clean Energy (PDF, 627KB)

Petroleum and Natural Gas grid descriptions on unsurveyed Crown land

• Site Plan Sample (PDF, 146KB)
• 1 to 250,000 scale location map (PDF, 233KB)
• 1 to 20,000 scale location map (PDF, 186KB)
• 1 to 20,000 scale linear line map (PDF, 119KB)
• Petroleum and Natural Gas Grid sample (PDF, 89KB)