# Gov Handbook: Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada

> 32 answers about local government in Chilliwack. Hub page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/ · All answers as JSON: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/index.json · Full text: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/llms-full.txt

## Getting started

- [Chilliwack municipal hall hours and holiday closures](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/hall-hours.md): Chilliwack City Hall, 8550 Young Road, is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on 13 statutory holidays from New Year's Day to Boxing Day. It may close early on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Call 604-792-9311.

## Property taxes and utility bills

- [Chilliwack property tax due date and late penalty](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/property-tax-due-date.md): Chilliwack property taxes are billed once a year and are due on the first working day after July 1, which was July 2 in 2026. Notices are mailed in May. A 5% penalty is added to unpaid taxes after the due date and another 5% after August 4 (2026 dates).
- [Chilliwack water, sewer and garbage fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/utility-fees.md): The City of Chilliwack bills water, sewer and curbside garbage, recycling and compostables quarterly, due within 45 days of the billing date. In 2026 a 20 mm water connection is $33.99 and sewer $55.18 per quarter, plus $2 and $4.09 per 100 cubic feet if metered. Curbside collection is $27.15 to $34.80 a month.

## Building, renovating and your property

- [Chilliwack building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/building-permit.md): In Chilliwack you need a City building permit to build, repair or alter a building, move or demolish one, or install a wood-burning appliance. Small accessory buildings under 10 m² are exempt if they meet zoning rules. Apply online through MyCity or on paper at City Hall.
- [Chilliwack fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/fence-rules.md): In Chilliwack an ordinary fence does not need a building permit, but a screening fence over 2 m or a masonry wall over 1.2 m may. The City's Zoning Bylaw sets no residential fence height limit. Pool fences must be at least 1.2 m. Call Planning to confirm.
- [Chilliwack permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/deck-shed-garage-permit.md): In Chilliwack, a shed, garage or carport needs a City building permit, except a small accessory building under 10 m² (110 sq. ft.) on a single-family lot that meets zoning siting rules. The City's pages give no deck height rule, so ask the Building Department.
- [Chilliwack building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/building-permit-fees.md): In Chilliwack a house, ancillary building or farm building permit costs $40 for work up to $1,000. Above that it is $100 for the first $1,000 plus $6.50 per extra $1,000 up to $100,000, plus a $300 application fee. Other building types are charged a percentage of value.
- [Chilliwack zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/zoning-lookup.md): In Chilliwack, search your address on the City's Online Map to see your property's current zoning and future land use, then read that zone in the Zoning Bylaw 2020, No. 5000. To confirm, call the Planning Department at 604-793-2906.
- [Chilliwack secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/secondary-suite.md): Yes, in Chilliwack, where your lot's zone permits an accessory dwelling unit. A secondary suite is limited to 90 m² and needs a building permit that meets the BC Building and Fire Code. Coach houses and garden suites also need a development permit (Development Permit Area 8).
- [Chilliwack tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/tree-removal.md): In Chilliwack, the City's documents show no general permit to cut a tree on private land. Its tree bylaw applies mainly when a development application is submitted, outside the ALR. Street trees are City-owned and cannot be cut by you. Check with the City before removing a tree.
- [How many homes you can build on a lot in Chilliwack](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/homes-per-lot.md): On most single-house and duplex lots inside Chilliwack's urban growth boundary that have city water and sewer, the Zoning Bylaw allows up to 4 homes (3 on lots of 280 square metres or less), without rezoning. Lots of 4,050 square metres or more, heritage-protected lots and Extension Areas are excluded.

## Garbage, recycling and waste

- [Chilliwack garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/garbage-collection.md): The City of Chilliwack collects garbage every second week from a black cart, alternating with recycling, Tuesday to Friday. Compostables go out weekly. Extra garbage bags need a $4 Tag-a-Bag sticker. Look up your day on the City's collection schedule page or the Curbside Collection App.
- [Chilliwack landfill: location, hours and fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/garbage-drop-off.md): The City of Chilliwack's Bailey Sanitary Landfill is at 5940 Matheson Road, open daily 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except listed holidays. Garbage costs $7.50 minimum per load, then $140 per tonne. Yard waste over 360 mm in diameter goes to the Parr Road Green Depot.
- [Chilliwack yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/yard-waste.md): In Chilliwack, yard waste goes in the green cart (collected weekly), plus up to ten extra Kraft paper bags or tied bundles of branches each week at no extra charge. Bigger loads go to the Parr Road Green Depot or the Bailey Landfill compostable waste station for a fee.

## Water, sewer, roads and snow

- [Chilliwack watering restrictions](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/water-restrictions.md): Yes. The City of Chilliwack automatically enters Stage 1 watering restrictions each year from May 1 to October 15. In Stage 1, even addresses may sprinkle lawns Wednesday and Saturday, odd addresses Thursday and Sunday, between 5 and 8 a.m. or 7 and 10 p.m.
- [Chilliwack snow clearing and sidewalk shovelling rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/snow-removal.md): In Chilliwack, the City's Public Works and Parks Department clears designated City roads in strict priority order. You must clear the sidewalk next to your property by noon the day after snow falls. The Highway and Traffic Bylaw ticket is $50. Call Operations at 604-793-2810.

## Pets, animals and wildlife

- [Chilliwack dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/dog-licence.md): In Chilliwack, dog licences are issued by the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD), not the City. Every dog four months or older needs one each year. The FVRD fee is $33 for a spayed or neutered dog and $83 for one that is not.
- [Chilliwack dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/dog-leash-rules.md): In Chilliwack, a dog in a public place must be on a leash no longer than three metres, except in designated off-leash areas. The City lists eight off-leash areas, including Vedder Park, Island 22 and Sheffield. The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) enforces the leash rules.
- [Chilliwack rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/dangerous-dogs.md): In Chilliwack, the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) can declare a dog aggressive under its Animal Control Regulation Bylaw. Owners must then confine it, or keep it leashed and muzzled with a competent person, and microchip it. The aggressive dog licence is $295 (spayed or neutered) or $354.
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Chilliwack](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/how-many-pets.md): In Chilliwack, the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) bylaw allows up to 5 pets on a property, with no more than 3 dogs or 3 cats over four months old, unless zoning permits otherwise. The City's Zoning Bylaw allows 5 pets (no more than 3 of one species) in some uses and only 3 pets in some zones.
- [Chilliwack backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/backyard-chickens.md): No. In Chilliwack, hens are not a permitted use on ordinary urban or suburban residential lots, because the Zoning Bylaw does not count poultry as a pet. Hens are allowed only in some agricultural and rural zones. Bees are allowed under the Urban Beekeeping Bylaw, with two to six hives by lot size.

## Parking, tickets and driving

- [Chilliwack RV, boat and trailer parking rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md): In Chilliwack an RV may be parked on a street for at most 24 continuous hours, then must be moved off every street for at least 24 hours. A trailer must stay hooked to a vehicle that can tow it. On a lot, the Zoning Bylaw allows one resident-owned recreation vehicle where the zone permits it.
- [Chilliwack street parking rules: time limits, overnight and winter parking](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/street-parking.md): In Chilliwack you can leave a legally parked vehicle on a street for up to 7 days, or 72 hours in zones listed in the Highway and Traffic Bylaw. Recreational vehicles get 24 hours. Overnight parking is allowed, except vehicles over 5,500 kg in residential zones from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. The ticket is $100.

## Bylaws, noise and complaints

- [Chilliwack noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/noise-rules.md): Chilliwack's Community Standards Bylaw bans noise that disturbs the neighbourhood at any hour, and sets no fixed quiet hours for ordinary noise. Construction noise audible outside the property is banned on Sundays and before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. on other days. The ticket is $500. Call Bylaw Enforcement at 604-793-2908.
- [Chilliwack unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/unsightly-property.md): In Chilliwack, report an unsightly, garbage-strewn or overgrown property to City Bylaw Enforcement at 604-793-2908. The Community Standards Bylaw requires owners to keep grass and weeds under 25 centimetres and the property free of rubbish; an unsightly property ticket is $500.
- [Chilliwack backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/backyard-fire.md): In the City of Chilliwack, wood-burning fire pits and other wood-burning appliances are not allowed at any time of year. Burning yard waste is allowed only on certain agricultural and rural properties, in March 1 to April 30 and October 1 to November 30, with a $35 permit. Propane and natural gas fire tables are allowed year-round.
- [Chilliwack fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/fireworks.md): No. Under the City of Chilliwack's Fireworks Regulation Bylaw, consumer fireworks and firecrackers cannot be sold, bought, possessed or set off in the city at any time. The ticket is $500 and the fireworks can be confiscated. Display fireworks need a Display Permit.
- [Chilliwack bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/bylaw-fines.md): Chilliwack's Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4573 sets most City ticket amounts: $500 for noise and unsightly property, $200 for boulevard offences, and $100 for most parking offences. The Highway and Traffic Bylaw lists different parking amounts, so check the amount on your ticket. Pay within 14 days for $10 off.

## Starting and running a business

- [Chilliwack business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/business-licence.md): Yes. Anyone carrying on a business in the City of Chilliwack needs a City business licence, which runs on the calendar year. Apply through the City's online application or by emailing a PDF form to blinfo@chilliwack.com; the City emails you to pay once the application is approved.
- [Chilliwack home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/home-based-business.md): Usually yes. The City of Chilliwack allows an Accessory Home Occupation in most areas, and a Cottage Industry in most agricultural and rural hillside areas, but you need a City business licence ($100 a year) and your use must meet the Zoning Bylaw limits.

## Housing and renting

- [Chilliwack short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/short-term-rental.md): Yes, but only at your principal residence (or on the same lot). Chilliwack requires an Accessory Home Occupation business licence ($100 a year) and the Province requires registration in its short-term rental registry. The City allows up to 3 sleeping units and 8 guests in total, with one parking stall per sleeping unit.

## City Hall, council and elections

- [Chilliwack council meetings: when, where and how to speak](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/council-meetings.md): Chilliwack City Council meets in Council Chambers at City Hall, 8550 Young Road, usually on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 2:00 p.m., reconvening at 4:00 p.m. for public hearings. Meetings stream live at chilliwack.com/live. To speak, ask the Corporate Officer in writing before the agenda closes.

## Zoning

- [All 70 zones in Chilliwack, as JSON](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/zoning/index.json)
- Zone of an address: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/zoning/lookup?address=123+Main+St