# Gov Handbook: Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada

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

## Building, renovating and your property

- [Courtenay building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/building-permit.md): The City of Courtenay requires a building permit before you build, demolish, repair or alter most structures, including garages, carports, decks, accessory buildings and secondary suites. Applications are online only, through the City's digital form.
- [Courtenay fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/fence-rules.md): In Courtenay a fence on a single-family residential lot does not need a building permit. Under Zoning Bylaw 3203, fences in residential zones can be up to 1.25 m high in the front yard and 2.0 m in side or rear yards.
- [Courtenay permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/deck-shed-garage-permit.md): In Courtenay, garages and carports need a building permit. So do accessory buildings of 10 m² or more and decks, except a roofless deck less than 0.6 m above grade. Zoning rules on height and setbacks still apply to exempt work.
- [Courtenay building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/building-permit-fees.md): A City of Courtenay building permit costs $150 plus 1% of the value of construction. A non-refundable application fee of $150, or 25% of the permit fee if that is higher, is credited to the permit fee when the permit is issued. Other charges may apply.
- [Courtenay zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/zoning-lookup.md): The City of Courtenay shows zoning on its interactive map, CourtenayMap, and on a downloadable zoning map. Then read your zone in Zoning Bylaw No. 3203 for permitted uses, density, lot size, height, setbacks, lot coverage and parking. If unsure, email Planning.
- [Courtenay secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/secondary-suite.md): Yes, in Courtenay zones that list them. A secondary suite (inside the home) needs a building permit. A detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU, such as a garden suite or carriage house) is allowed, one per property, and also needs a building permit. Check your zone first.
- [Courtenay tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/tree-removal.md): Often yes. In Courtenay a Tree Cutting Permit is needed for a protected tree or any tree over 20 cm across at breast height, on lots over 4,000 m². On smaller lots, a permit is needed when removal would leave the lot below its tree target.

## Garbage, recycling and waste

- [Courtenay garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/garbage-collection.md): The City of Courtenay collects garbage and recycling every second week on alternating weeks, and organics every week, on a day set by one of four zones. Put carts out no earlier than 5 a.m. and before 8 a.m. Waste outside the cart is not collected. The fee is $359.50 a year for a house or duplex.
- [Courtenay yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/yard-waste.md): In the City of Courtenay, yard waste goes in the green organics cart, collected every week with food waste. Branches up to 3 inches (75 mm) across that fit with the lid closed are accepted. Extra can go to the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre in Cumberland for a fee. The City also runs a seasonal drop-off.

## Water, sewer, roads and snow

- [Courtenay watering restrictions](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/water-restrictions.md): Yes. In the City of Courtenay, watering is governed by the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) Water Conservation Bylaw 129. Stage 1 starts May 1 and Stage 2 July 1 each year; higher stages start when river flow drops. The stage changes, so check the City's alert page or the CVRD page before you water.

## Pets, animals and wildlife

- [Courtenay dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/dog-licence.md): Every dog over six months old in the City of Courtenay needs a City licence each year. Buy it in person at City Hall or by mailing a cheque. The fee is $5 a year for a spayed or neutered dog and $25 for one that is not. Licences expire on December 31.
- [Courtenay dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/dog-leash-rules.md): Courtenay has no off-leash parks. Under the City of Courtenay's Animal Control Bylaw, a dog must be on a leash on any highway, in a City park or other public place, and the person holding it must be able to control it. The leash or chain cannot be longer than 1.83 metres (6 feet).
- [Courtenay rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/dangerous-dogs.md): Courtenay's Animal Control Bylaw has no "dangerous dog" declaration process. It bans keeping a dog that has killed or injured a person or domestic animal, or has attacked, chased or menaced someone unprovoked. An owner of a dog known to be prone to attack must keep it confined, and muzzled or controlled by an adult outside.
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Courtenay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/how-many-pets.md): In the City of Courtenay, no more than three dogs over six months old may be kept on any parcel of land at one time. The Animal Control Bylaw sets no limit on cats. Livestock, horses and poultry are allowed only on agriculturally zoned property, and wild or exotic animals are banned.
- [Courtenay backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/backyard-chickens.md): In the City of Courtenay you may keep up to six hens (no roosters) as an accessory use on a lot with a single residential dwelling. Up to two beehives are allowed on lots at least 15 metres wide and 550 square metres. Other livestock is allowed only on agriculturally zoned property.

## Parking, tickets and driving

- [Courtenay RV, boat and trailer parking rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md): In the City of Courtenay, no commercial vehicle, boat, trailer, camper or motor home may be parked on a street between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., and no motor vehicle, trailer or boat may stay in one spot on a street over 24 continuous hours. On residential lots, recreational boats, trailers and RVs for personal use may be parked or stored.

## Bylaws, noise and complaints

- [Courtenay noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/noise-rules.md): Courtenay's Prevention of Public Nuisances Bylaw sets no fixed quiet hours for ordinary noise; noise that disturbs the neighbourhood is banned at any time. Fixed hours apply to construction and power tools. The City's Homeowners page calls 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. "quiet hours" for power tools and machinery.
- [Courtenay unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/unsightly-property.md): To report an unsightly property or graffiti in the City of Courtenay, call Bylaw Enforcement at 250-334-4441, email bylaw@courtenay.ca or use the service request form. The rules are in the Prevention of Public Nuisances Bylaw No. 2804. The City does not respond to anonymous complaints.
- [Courtenay backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/backyard-fire.md): Probably not. The City of Courtenay's Open burning page says open burning is banned year-round in the City, including wood-burning outdoor fires. Fire Protective Services Bylaw 2556 allows burning only under a Burning Permit from the Fire Chief, so a permit may not be available. Confirm with the Fire Department first.
- [Courtenay fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/fireworks.md): Not for private use in the City of Courtenay. Under Fire Protective Services Bylaw 2556, low hazard fireworks are allowed only at a public event authorized in writing by Council, with a Fire Chief permit. Firecrackers cannot be used at all, and no one under 18 may light, hold or possess fireworks.
- [Courtenay bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/bylaw-fines.md): The City of Courtenay's fines are set in Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 3185. Less serious offences get a bylaw notice, for example $100 for no dog licence or $500 for noise which disturbs. Serious offences get a municipal ticket. Paying early costs less, and you have 14 days to dispute.

## Starting and running a business

- [Courtenay business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/business-licence.md): Yes. Every business in the City of Courtenay needs a City business licence unless exempt. Apply on the City's online form only; allow at least two to three weeks. You pay by invoice once approved and the licence is mailed. Licences run January 1 to December 31.
- [Courtenay home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/home-based-business.md): Yes. Courtenay's Zoning Bylaw allows a home occupation in zones that list it, if only residents carry it on and it stays small. You need a City business licence: $75 a year under Bylaw 2523 until December 31, 2026, and $150 a year under Bylaw 3212 from January 1, 2027.

## Housing and renting

- [Courtenay short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/short-term-rental.md): Yes, in Courtenay, if you own the property and your principal residence is on it. One short-term rental per parcel, up to 3 bedrooms and 6 guests. You need a City short-term rental business licence ($300 a year) and a provincial registration.

## Zoning

- [All 35 zones in Courtenay, as JSON](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/zoning/index.json)
- Zone of an address: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/zoning/lookup?address=123+Main+St