# Gov Handbook: Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada

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

## Building, renovating and your property

- [Kamloops building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/building-permit.md): In Kamloops you need a building permit before you build, alter, repair, demolish or move a building or structure. Fences, sheds under 10 square metres with no electrical or plumbing, and retaining walls under 1.2 m are exempt. Homeowners apply online by ePermit with a MyCity profile.
- [Kamloops fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/fence-rules.md): Kamloops does not require a building permit for an ordinary fence, but Zoning Bylaw 55 sets height limits. In most residential zones a fence may be 1.2 m high in a required front or street-side yard and 2 m in interior side and rear yards. Swimming pool fences need a pool permit.
- [Kamloops permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/deck-shed-garage-permit.md): In Kamloops a garage or an accessory building of 10 square metres or more, or with electrical or plumbing, needs a building permit. A deck needs none only if it is under 600 mm above the ground, not attached to a building, and has no walls or roof. All of these must meet zoning siting rules.
- [Kamloops building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/building-permit-fees.md): A City of Kamloops building permit has two costs: a $175 non-refundable application fee for most permit types, and a permit fee based on construction value. The permit fee is $20 per $1,000 up to $10,000, then $200 plus $7 per $1,000 above $10,000. Online payments add a 2.75% card fee.
- [Kamloops zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/zoning-lookup.md): In Kamloops, look up your property's zone on the City's CityMap app (turn on the zoning layer), then read that zone in Zoning Bylaw No. 55. For an official written answer, apply for a Zoning Information Request online with a MyCity profile and a title search.
- [Kamloops secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/secondary-suite.md): Often yes. The City of Kamloops allows one residential suite (secondary, garden or carriage) on lots zoned R5 to R8, CR1 to CR3 and A1, and several units on R1 to R4 lots. You need a building permit, and a garden or carriage suite also needs a development permit first. Servicing limits may apply.
- [Kamloops tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/tree-removal.md): Usually not for a house lot. Kamloops' Tree Protection Bylaw 50-1 exempts owners of parcels under 2 hectares zoned Residential, so a Tree Cutting Permit mainly applies to larger or non-residential parcels. Never cut or prune a boulevard tree: only the City's Parks department may.

## Garbage, recycling and waste

- [Kamloops garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/garbage-collection.md): The City of Kamloops collects household garbage and recycling every other week on an alternating basis, and organics every week. Your day depends on which of the five collection zones you live in. Carts go at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day, with the lid fully closed.
- [Kamloops yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/yard-waste.md): In Kamloops there is no separate yard waste collection. Small amounts go in the weekly curbside organics cart. Larger amounts go to the City's three free yard waste sites at Cinnamon Ridge, Bunker Road or Barnhartvale. Grass clippings are banned from curbside garbage.

## Water, sewer, roads and snow

- [Kamloops watering restrictions](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/water-restrictions.md): Kamloops sets its own watering rules under its Waterworks Bylaw. The default stage allows sprinklers 3 days a week by the last two digits of your street address, and irrigation is never allowed from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The City can move to Heightened (1 day a week) or Severe stages.

## Pets, animals and wildlife

- [Kamloops dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/dog-licence.md): Every dog over six months old in Kamloops needs a City of Kamloops licence each year. Register a new dog in person at the Community Services Office, 1303 Mission Flats Road. The fee is $30 a year for a spayed or neutered dog and $65 for one that is not.
- [Kamloops dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/dog-leash-rules.md): In the City of Kamloops a dog may not run at large. In any street, park or public area it must be on a leash held by a responsible person unless it is in a designated off-leash area. The standard leash is 2 m; up to 7.0 m is allowed in the leashed parks listed in the bylaw.
- [Kamloops rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/dangerous-dogs.md): Kamloops bans dangerous dogs outright and tightly controls "aggressive" dogs: licence, muzzle, secure enclosure, microchip and $2,000,000 liability insurance. The rules are in the City of Kamloops Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42. Report a dog to Community Services at 250-828-3409.
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Kamloops](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/how-many-pets.md): In the City of Kamloops you may keep no more than two dogs over six months old on any parcel of land or in any dwelling unit, and no more than two cats on any parcel. A third dog needs a Council variance ($350 non-refundable application fee). Kennels, vet clinics and working farms are exempt.
- [Kamloops backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/backyard-chickens.md): Yes, with limits. In the City of Kamloops, single-family and two-family residential lots of 370 m2 to 1 acre can keep 2 to 5 hens (no roosters or chicks) after a free online registration and a coop inspection. Bees need a permitted zone; farm animals need at least one acre.

## Parking, tickets and driving

- [Kamloops RV, boat and trailer parking rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md): In Kamloops, the Traffic Bylaw No. 23-30 bans parking a trailer on a street unless it is attached to a vehicle that can draw it. A vehicle over 5,500 kg or longer than 7.5 m is limited to two consecutive hours on a residential street. The bylaws read set no yard limit for RVs or boats.

## Bylaws, noise and complaints

- [Kamloops noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/noise-rules.md): Kamloops sets no fixed nightly quiet hours. Under the Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 49-1, any noise that disturbs neighbours is prohibited, and construction noise is not allowed before 7 a.m. or after 10 p.m. The ticket is $100. Report problems to Community Services at 250-828-3409.
- [Kamloops unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/unsightly-property.md): In Kamloops, owners and occupiers must not let property become or stay unsightly, including rubbish, noxious weeds, standing water and pests, under the Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 49-1. Report a property to Community Services with a Request for Service or by calling 250-828-3409.
- [Kamloops backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/backyard-fire.md): In Kamloops, any open air fire needs a permit from Kamloops Fire Rescue, and the City issues permits for burning yard waste only in April and October, on residential or farm properties of 1 acre or more. Burning is prohibited on smaller lots, so an ordinary city lot cannot have a wood fire.
- [Kamloops fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/fireworks.md): No. Residents may not set off consumer fireworks in the City of Kamloops, and no one may sell them. Firecrackers and flying lanterns are banned at all times. Only a special event or festival with a Fireworks Discharge permit from the Fire Chief can hold a display.
- [Kamloops bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/bylaw-fines.md): Kamloops sets ticket amounts for each bylaw in its Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 43-15. Dog off leash or unlicensed, noise and unsightly property are $100. An open fire without a permit is $750 and fireworks are $1,000. Parking tickets are $40 to $100, depending on how fast you pay.

## Starting and running a business

- [Kamloops business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/business-licence.md): Yes. Anyone carrying on a business in the City of Kamloops, including a home-based or non-resident business, needs a City business licence. Apply online through eApply with a MyCity account. There is a $15 application fee, then a category fee (for example $168 for retail under 324 m²).
- [Kamloops home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/home-based-business.md): Yes. In Kamloops a home-based business is allowed with residential uses in most zones if you hold a City business licence and follow Zoning Bylaw 55, s. 3.3. The owner must live there, space is limited to the lesser of 50 m² or 20% of the home, and it cannot operate from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

## Housing and renting

- [Kamloops short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/short-term-rental.md): Yes, under conditions. In Kamloops the rental must be in your principal residence, in a zone that allows it. You need a City business licence, a provincial short-term rental registration, and a signed Good Neighbour Agreement. Only one booking at a time is allowed per property.

## Zoning

- [All 42 zones in Kamloops, as JSON](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/zoning/index.json)
- Zone of an address: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/zoning/lookup?address=123+Main+St