# Gov Handbook: Fernie, British Columbia, Canada

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

## Building, renovating and your property

- [Fernie building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/building-permit.md): Usually yes. The City of Fernie requires a building permit to build, alter, repair, move or demolish a building or structure, change how a building is used, or install a wood-burning appliance or chimney. Applications are made online only, through the City's Cloudpermit portal.
- [Fernie fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/fence-rules.md): No building permit is needed for a fence in the City of Fernie. Under the Zoning Bylaw a fence may be up to 1.0 m (3.3 ft) high in a front yard and 2.0 m (6.6 ft) in a required side or rear yard, and it must not block sightlines at corners.
- [Fernie permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/deck-shed-garage-permit.md): In the City of Fernie a new garage, a deck, or enclosing a carport generally needs a building permit. The bylaw exempts an accessory building under 10 m² (no plumbing, sleeping or cooking facilities) and an unenclosed deck less than 0.6 m above grade.
- [Fernie building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/building-permit-fees.md): In the City of Fernie a building permit has a non-refundable application fee ($250 for work valued under $49,999) plus a permit fee of $10 per $1,000 of value or $250, whichever is greater. Plumbing permits start at $100.
- [Fernie zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/zoning-lookup.md): Find your lot on the Zoning Map on the City of Fernie's Maps page (the official map is Schedule A of Zoning Bylaw 1750), then read that zone's rules in the bylaw. Planning staff can confirm a zone at planning@fernie.ca or 250-423-6817.
- [Fernie secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/secondary-suite.md): Often yes. The City of Fernie's R-SS zone allows secondary suites and detached accessory dwelling units, up to 3 units on a parcel under 280 m² and 4 on a parcel of 280 m² or more. The RR zone also allows a secondary dwelling unit. A detached suite needs its own building permit.
- [Fernie tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/tree-removal.md): The City of Fernie has no readable City-wide tree permit rule. Under its Official Community Plan, cutting trees counts as development, so a development permit is needed in watercourse areas (15 m, or 30 m on named creeks) and in hazard lands, including avalanche and flood areas. Park trees are protected.

## Garbage, recycling and waste

- [Fernie garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/garbage-collection.md): The City of Fernie collects organics weekly, and garbage and recycling carts on alternating weeks. Find your day on the City's Area Map and 2026 Collection Calendar. Set carts out by 7 a.m. but not before 5 a.m. on collection day. The fee is $17.99 a month for a single-family home in 2026.
- [Fernie yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/yard-waste.md): In Fernie, grass, leaves and smaller twigs and sticks go in the weekly curbside organics cart. Other yard and garden waste can go to the Regional District of East Kootenay's (RDEK) Fernie Transfer Station at 6000 Highway 3, where the RDEK says yard waste is free to residents.

## Water, sewer, roads and snow

- [Fernie watering restrictions](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/water-restrictions.md): Yes. Under the City of Fernie's Water Conservation and Regulation Bylaw 2518, Stage 1 rules apply automatically every year from March 1 to October 15. The City can declare Stage 2, 3 or 4 when needed. At Stage 1, even-numbered properties water lawns Monday, Thursday and Saturday; odd-numbered, Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

## Pets, animals and wildlife

- [Fernie dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/dog-licence.md): Every dog over four months old in the City of Fernie needs a City licence for the calendar year. Buy it at City Hall, 501-3rd Avenue. The fee is $15 for a neutered or spayed dog and $35 for one that is not.
- [Fernie dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/dog-leash-rules.md): In the City of Fernie a dog must be on a leash in any public place, except in a signed off-leash area. The City's page names one, the Railyard Dog Park at 95 Ridgemont Avenue. Dogs are banned, even on a leash, in Rotary Park, Ridgemont Park and school grounds.
- [Fernie rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/dangerous-dogs.md): The City of Fernie's Animal Responsibility Bylaw has three tiers: aggressive, vicious and dangerous dogs. An Animal Control Officer designates the dog by written notice, and the owner must then follow strict leash, muzzle, confinement and licensing rules.
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Fernie](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/how-many-pets.md): In the City of Fernie, no more than three dogs are allowed on any property unless zoning allows more. The animal bylaw sets no limit on cats, but the zoning bylaw treats four or more dogs or cats as a kennel, allowed only in the RR and A-1 zones.
- [Fernie backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/backyard-chickens.md): In the City of Fernie, urban hens (female chickens or ducks, up to 6) and bees are allowed only in the zones listed in Schedule B of the Animal Responsibility Bylaw. Those zone names no longer exist in the 2024 zoning, so confirm with the City which parcels qualify. Other livestock needs agricultural zoning.

## Parking, tickets and driving

- [Fernie RV, boat and trailer parking rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md): In the City of Fernie a trailer that is not attached to a motor vehicle, including a boat trailer, cannot be parked on any street, and no vehicle may stay on a street over 72 hours in a row unless signs allow it. The bylaws read set no rule for keeping an RV, boat or trailer on your own lot.

## Bylaws, noise and complaints

- [Fernie noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/noise-rules.md): In the City of Fernie, quiet hours are 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily, and construction noise is banned from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily. A municipal ticket for noise during quiet hours is $250, or $500 for a second offence. Report it to Bylaw Services at 250-423-2244.
- [Fernie unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/unsightly-property.md): In the City of Fernie, report an unsightly or overgrown property to Bylaw Services online, at bylawservices@fernie.ca or at 250-423-2244, giving your name and phone number. The Community Standards Bylaw covers unsightly land, weeds, grass over 20 cm, refuse, derelict vehicles and graffiti.
- [Fernie backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/backyard-fire.md): In the City of Fernie a backyard campfire is allowed only in a fire pit with a valid Fire Pit Permit ($30 for a new permit). Yard waste may not be burned in a fire pit. Any other open fire needs a Burn Permit, which the Fire Director issues at their discretion.
- [Fernie fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/fireworks.md): In the City of Fernie, setting off consumer or display fireworks requires a Fireworks Permit from the Director of Fire and Emergency Services. No consumer permit is issued to anyone under 18 or during an open fire ban. The permit form lists $10 for consumer and $75 for display fireworks.
- [Fernie bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/bylaw-fines.md): The City of Fernie sets its ticket amounts in the Municipal Ticket Information (MTI) Bylaw 2041. Examples: $250 for noise during quiet hours, $300 for an unsightly property, $50 for parking over 72 hours and $200 for burning without a permit. A ticket must be paid or disputed within 14 days.

## Starting and running a business

- [Fernie business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/business-licence.md): Yes. Nearly every business in the City of Fernie, including home-based businesses and out-of-town contractors, needs a City business licence. The fee is $100 a year in the bylaw but $150 on the City's page and form. Call Bylaw Services at 250-423-2244 to apply and confirm.
- [Fernie home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/home-based-business.md): Yes, in the City of Fernie you can run a "home occupation" in zones that permit it, but it needs a City business licence and must follow the Zoning Bylaw's rules, such as no outside storage and one sign no bigger than 0.2 m². The licence fee is $100 or $150; confirm with Bylaw Services.

## Housing and renting

- [Fernie short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/short-term-rental.md): In Fernie a short-term rental needs a City short-term rental licence, and only your principal residence qualifies (plus certain condo/hotel properties), not suites or second homes. The licence is $500 a year for a principal residence. Provincial registration is also required.

## Zoning

- [All 17 zones in Fernie, as JSON](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/zoning/index.json)
- Zone of an address: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/zoning/lookup?address=123+Main+St