# Gov Handbook: Gibsons, British Columbia, Canada

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

## Building, renovating and your property

- [Gibsons building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/building-permit.md): In Gibsons you need a Town building permit before you build, alter, renovate, move or demolish a building, or install plumbing, a pool, a retaining structure or a wood-burning appliance. An accessory building under 10 m² is exempt. Apply online through Cloudpermit.
- [Gibsons fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/fence-rules.md): In Gibsons a fence needs no building permit, but zoning sets the height. Fences and hedges are limited to 1.5 m in front; behind the front setback of the principal building they may reach 2.4 m. Retaining walls and pool fences have their own rules.
- [Gibsons permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/deck-shed-garage-permit.md): In Gibsons an accessory building under 10 m² (108 sq. ft.) needs no building permit, but a larger shed, garage or carport does. The bylaw sets no deck threshold, so ask the Building Department before you build one. Zoning rules apply to every accessory building.
- [Gibsons building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/building-permit-fees.md): In Gibsons a building permit fee is based on the value of the work. For work up to $10,000 it is $110 plus $13.50 for each $1,000 over the first $1,000. A separate application fee ($100 up to $10,000) is paid first and credited against the permit fee.
- [Gibsons zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/zoning-lookup.md): In Gibsons, find your zone on the Town's Maps page, which links a Zoning Bylaw Map, an Interactive Web Map and an Interactive Property Viewer. Then read Zoning Bylaw 1342 for what is allowed there. Planning can confirm: 604-886-2274.
- [Gibsons secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/secondary-suite.md): In Gibsons the Zoning Bylaw never uses the word "suite". In the RL-1 and RL-2 zones it allows up to 3 dwelling units on lots of 280 m² or less and up to 4 on larger lots. Adding or legalizing a suite needs a building permit that meets the BC Building Code.
- [Gibsons tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/tree-removal.md): In Gibsons you need a Town Tree Cutting Permit to cut, remove or move a Protected Tree, which is any tree 30 cm across or larger, listed species at 20 cm, and any tree 10 cm on sloping land. The application fee is $50 for up to 3 trees. Replacement trees are required.

## Garbage, recycling and waste

- [Gibsons garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/garbage-collection.md): In Gibsons, organics are collected weekly and garbage bi-weekly. Residents buy their own wildlife-resistant garbage container (up to 98 litres and 20 kg). Extra garbage needs a $4.55 tag. Look up your collection day on the Town's Waste Management page or the Gibsons Waste Collection app.
- [Gibsons yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/yard-waste.md): Gibsons has no curbside yard waste pickup. Take it to the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) Green Waste Drop-off Depot at 915 Henry Road. Loads under 0.5 tonnes are free. Open burning is not allowed.

## Water, sewer, roads and snow

- [Gibsons watering restrictions](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/water-restrictions.md): Yes. Gibsons has four watering stages from May 1 to October 15 each year. At Stage 1, sprinklers are allowed 7 to 9 a.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on set days by odd or even address. Check the Town's water regulations page for the current stage. Fines are $100 to $400.

## Pets, animals and wildlife

- [Gibsons dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/dog-licence.md): In Gibsons, every dog over six months old needs a Town licence tag, renewed each year. Under Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw 1328 the fee is $25 for a spayed or neutered dog and $50 for one that is not. Apply in person at Town Hall. The Town's web pages still show older fees.
- [Gibsons dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/dog-leash-rules.md): In Gibsons, dogs in public places must be on a leash no longer than 1.83 metres (6 feet), held by a capable person. Off leash is allowed only in designated areas, such as Inglis Trail and Headlands Beach. A dog at large costs a $200 bylaw notice.
- [Gibsons rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/dangerous-dogs.md): In Gibsons, an Animal Control Officer decides whether a dog is dangerous or aggressive and gives the owner written notice. A dangerous dog must be muzzled and leashed in public and kept secured at home. Breaking these rules costs $200 to $450 in bylaw notices.
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Gibsons](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/how-many-pets.md): In Gibsons, you may keep no more than 4 household pets on a property, including no more than 2 dogs over 6 months old and 4 cats over 12 weeks old. Exceeding the limit is a $250 bylaw notice.
- [Gibsons backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/backyard-chickens.md): Mostly no. In Gibsons, animals other than household pets, including hens, are allowed only in the AG (agricultural) zone. Chickens are not household pets under the animal bylaw, and the wildlife bylaw says no poultry or beehives may be kept. Ask the Town about your lot.

## Parking, tickets and driving

- [Gibsons RV, boat and trailer parking rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md): In Gibsons, a licensed RV or trailer may not stay on a street more than 72 consecutive hours without approval. On a lot in the main residential zones you may park one RV up to 10.5 m and store up to two boats. Living in a vehicle on a street is banned.

## Bylaws, noise and complaints

- [Gibsons noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/noise-rules.md): In Gibsons, quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday to Thursday and 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. Friday to Sunday. Construction is limited to 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. A noise ticket is a $200 bylaw notice.
- [Gibsons unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/unsightly-property.md): In Gibsons, report an unsightly or overgrown property to the Bylaw Officer at 604-886-2274 or beo@gibsons.ca, or use the online Bylaw Complaint Form. The Property Maintenance Bylaw allows a $200 bylaw notice and a 21-day order to clean up overgrowth.
- [Gibsons backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/backyard-fire.md): No. In Gibsons, open burning is prohibited, and the Town says backyard burning, campfires and beach fires are not allowed at any time. Portable cooking appliances are not covered. Burning prohibited waste is a $250 bylaw notice. Take yard waste to the SCRD depot.
- [Gibsons fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/fireworks.md): Gibsons restricts fireworks, but the Fireworks Bylaw 1035 isn't posted online. The Town's ticket schedule shows you need a permit to set off fireworks, and fireworks in parks and public places are banned unless authorized. Tickets run from $100 to $400. Ask the Town for the rules.
- [Gibsons bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/bylaw-fines.md): Gibsons issues bylaw notices under Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 1125. Examples: no dog licence $125, dog at large $200, noise $200, unsightly property $200, RV on a street over 72 hours $50. Pay within 14 days for the lower early amount. Dispute within 14 days.

## Starting and running a business

- [Gibsons business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/business-licence.md): Yes, in Gibsons anyone carrying on business for gain or profit needs a Town business licence, renewed each calendar year. Many service businesses pay $240 a year. Apply at Town Hall or by email to beo@gibsons.ca; there is no fee for registered non-profits.
- [Gibsons home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/home-based-business.md): Yes, in Gibsons a home occupation is a permitted accessory use in any dwelling unit, up to two per property, and it needs a Town business licence ($240 a year). It must stay within the limits in Zoning Bylaw 1342, such as 20% of the floor area and no more than five trips a day.

## Housing and renting

- [Gibsons short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/short-term-rental.md): Yes, in Gibsons, with a Town business licence. Outside the CM-1 zone, a short-term rental must be your principal residence, or be one of up to 35 non-principal-residence licences. Gibsons is on the Province's exempt list, but the Town's own rule still applies.

## Zoning

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