# Gov Handbook: Colwood, British Columbia, Canada

> 24 answers about local government in Colwood. Hub page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/ · All answers as JSON: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/index.json · Full text: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/llms-full.txt

## Building, renovating and your property

- [Colwood building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/building-permit.md): In Colwood you need a City building permit to build a new building or structure, or to alter, repair, move or demolish an existing one. Ordinary fences and low landscaping do not, but pool fences and retaining walls over 1.2 m do. Apply online or email building@colwood.ca.
- [Colwood fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/fence-rules.md): In Colwood an ordinary fence does not need a building permit, but a fence around a swimming pool does, and so do retaining walls over 1.2 m. The bylaws we read set no general fence height limit; the only limits found are in the R4 zone. Confirm with the Building Department.
- [Colwood permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/deck-shed-garage-permit.md): In Colwood a new deck, or structural changes to one, needs a City building permit, and so does a garage in most cases. The City says a shed under 10 m² (108 ft²) that creates no hazard needs no permit, but confirm that with the Building Department. Zoning setbacks still apply.
- [Colwood building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/building-permit-fees.md): A City of Colwood building permit costs $50 for work worth $1,000 or less. Above that it is $50 for the first $1,000, plus $12 per $1,000 for the next $99,000, $10 per $1,000 for the next $400,000 and $8 per $1,000 after that. The fee doubles if work starts before the permit.
- [Colwood zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/zoning-lookup.md): In Colwood, look up your property's zone on the City's online GIS map (Zoning & Development Areas layer), then read that zone's rules in Land Use Bylaw No. 151. A Property Information Request also gives zoning information for a property.
- [Colwood secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/secondary-suite.md): Yes, in Colwood. Land Use Bylaw 151 allows a secondary suite and an accessory dwelling unit (garden suite) in all zones unless a zone says otherwise. Unless a zone says otherwise, the limit is one of each per lot, each up to 90 m² or 40% of the floor area, whichever is less.
- [Colwood tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/tree-removal.md): In Colwood you need a City Tree Management Permit to cut or remove a protected tree, such as an arbutus, Garry oak, Pacific dogwood or Pacific yew, or any tree 60 cm or more across. The application fee is $100 and replacement trees are required. Land in a development permit area may need a development permit too.

## Garbage, recycling and waste

- [Colwood garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/garbage-collection.md): The City of Colwood does not collect household garbage. Residents hire a private hauler, so collection day, containers, limits and extra-bag rules come from that company. Blue-box recycling is collected through the Capital Regional District (CRD); find your day by address on the CRD page.
- [Colwood yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/yard-waste.md): The City of Colwood runs a free Branch Drop-Off at the Public Works Yard, 3300 Wishart Road, for Colwood residents, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. It takes branches up to 4 inches across, grass clippings and leaves. Larger or other material can go to Hartland Landfill for a fee. Dates are on the City's page.

## Water, sewer, roads and snow

- [Colwood watering restrictions](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/water-restrictions.md): Yes. Colwood follows the Capital Regional District (CRD) Water Conservation Bylaw. Stage 1 applies every year from May 1 to September 30: even-numbered addresses water lawns Wednesdays and Saturdays, odd-numbered addresses Thursdays and Sundays, 4 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m.

## Pets, animals and wildlife

- [Colwood dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/dog-licence.md): Every dog four months or older in Colwood needs a licence each calendar year. The Capital Regional District (CRD) issues them under contract. For a spayed or neutered dog the fee is $40 ($35 if bought early, $60 after March 1); the bylaw also says $0 in some cases, so ask the CRD.
- [Colwood dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/dog-leash-rules.md): In Colwood, a dog off its owner's property must be on a leash of 1.82 metres (6 feet) or less, except in a sanctioned off-leash area. Off-leash space is the marked area of Colwood Creek Park and the leash-optional area at Lagoon Beach. Leashes are required at the Esquimalt Lagoon sanctuary and near playgrounds.
- [Colwood rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/dangerous-dogs.md): In Colwood, the animal control officer can designate a dog aggressive; a dangerous dog is defined by the provincial Community Charter. A dangerous dog must be muzzled and leashed in public and locked in a pen at home. An aggressive dog must be leashed and confined. Dangerous dog offences start at $500.
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Colwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/how-many-pets.md): In Colwood, the Animal Control Bylaw limits dogs and cats to four in total per dwelling unit, but its wording is inconsistent: it bars "four or more" dogs or cats and also any combination "greater than four". Ask Bylaw Services how it is applied. The fine is $100.
- [Colwood backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/backyard-chickens.md): Yes, in Colwood you may keep up to four chickens on a lot of 550 m² to under 4,000 m² with a detached one-family home. Roosters are not allowed on lots under 4,000 m². Goats, sheep, horses and similar farm animals need a permitted farm operation. The bylaws read do not mention bees.

## Parking, tickets and driving

- [Colwood RV, boat and trailer parking rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md): In the City of Colwood an RV may stay on a street no more than 12 hours, and a trailer may not be parked there unless its towing vehicle is attached. Any vehicle is limited to 72 hours in one spot. On your own lot, the rules found cover unlicensed vehicles only; ask about RVs and boats.

## Bylaws, noise and complaints

- [Colwood noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/noise-rules.md): Colwood's Noise Control Bylaw has no general quiet hours, but bans noise that disturbs neighbours at any time. Loud sound audible in a residential area is objectionable from 11:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., lawn equipment is limited to 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and construction to 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
- [Colwood unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/unsightly-property.md): Report an unsightly or overgrown property to the City of Colwood through the Action Request form (choose BYLAW), by email to bylaw@colwood.ca, or by calling Bylaw Services at 250-478-5999 local 146. Unsightly Premises Bylaw No. 715 covers rubbish, graffiti and untended growth.
- [Colwood backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/backyard-fire.md): No. Open campfires, beach fires and open yard fires are prohibited in the City of Colwood, and organic yard waste may not be burned. Charcoal, gas and propane appliances and smokers are allowed, and approved wood-burning appliances are allowed except when the fire rating is High or Extreme.
- [Colwood fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/fireworks.md): Only with a permit. In the City of Colwood, fireworks may be set off only on October 31 between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., or in exceptional circumstances set by City policy. Permit holders must be 18 or older. Selling fireworks, and firecrackers, are banned.
- [Colwood bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/bylaw-fines.md): Colwood has two ticket systems: bylaw notices under Bylaw No. 1911, with set early and late amounts, and municipal tickets under Bylaw No. 1314. Pay or dispute a bylaw notice within 14 days. The two schedules can list the same offence at different amounts.

## Starting and running a business

- [Colwood business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/business-licence.md): Yes. Anyone carrying on business in Colwood needs a valid City business licence, with a separate licence for each premises, and advertising a business also needs one. Apply with the online Business Licence Application. Fees run from $25 to $200, depending on business type.
- [Colwood home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/home-based-business.md): Yes, in Colwood you can run a home occupation if your zone allows it and you hold a City business licence ($100). It must be carried on inside the home, leave its outside appearance unchanged, and have at most one employee who does not live there.

## Housing and renting

- [Colwood short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/short-term-rental.md): Yes, but only at your own principal residence. In Colwood a short-term rental (under 90 consecutive days) needs a City business licence ($200) and a short Building Services inspection, then registration with the Province. The licence number must appear in every ad.

## Zoning

- [All 49 zones in Colwood, as JSON](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/zoning/index.json)
- Zone of an address: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/zoning/lookup?address=123+Main+St