# Gov Handbook: Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada

> 23 answers about local government in Ladysmith. Hub page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/ · All answers as JSON: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/index.json · Full text: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/llms-full.txt

## Building, renovating and your property

- [Ladysmith building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/building-permit.md): In Ladysmith you need a Town building permit for any work the Building & Plumbing Bylaw regulates: new buildings, alterations, demolition, moving a building, or a change of use. Send a complete application package through the Town's Building Permit Hub or to ds@ladysmith.ca.
- [Ladysmith fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/fence-rules.md): In Ladysmith a fence does not need a building permit, but it must meet the Zoning Bylaw. In a residential zone the limit is 1.2 m in the front yard and 2.0 m in interior side and rear yards. A retaining wall over 1.2 m needs a building permit.
- [Ladysmith permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/deck-shed-garage-permit.md): In Ladysmith a shed or other accessory building under 10 m² that is not unsafe needs no building permit, and neither does a low unattached deck under 0.6 m. Garages, carports and larger buildings need one. Zoning rules on size, height and setbacks apply to all of them.
- [Ladysmith building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/building-permit-fees.md): In Ladysmith a building permit costs 1.10% of the value of the work, with a $150 minimum, plus applicable taxes. You also pay a refundable damage deposit at application: $2,500 for a simple building permit or $1,500 for alterations only.
- [Ladysmith zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/zoning-lookup.md): In Ladysmith, find your property's zone on the Zoning Map (Schedule B) linked from the Town's Zoning Bylaw page, then read your zone in Zoning Bylaw No. 1860. Development Services can confirm at 250-245-6415 or ds@ladysmith.ca.
- [Ladysmith secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/secondary-suite.md): Yes, in Ladysmith a secondary suite or a coach house is allowed as an accessory use in the zones that list it, including RU-1, R-1, R-1-A, R-2 and R-2-B. You need a building permit. A coach house needs a development permit first only in Development Permit Area 10 on parcels under 0.4 ha.
- [Ladysmith tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/tree-removal.md): Ladysmith has no general tree-cutting permit for private land. But if your lot is in a development permit area in the Official Community Plan, removing vegetation there needs a development permit, with exemptions. Trees in Town parks and on boulevards are protected.

## Garbage, recycling and waste

- [Ladysmith garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/garbage-collection.md): In Ladysmith, garbage and recycling are collected every other week and organics every week, on your collection day, by GFL Environmental for the Town. Find your route (blue, green, orange, yellow or red) on the Town's Collection Routes Map. Put containers out by 8:00 a.m. The fee is $17.50 per dwelling unit per month.
- [Ladysmith yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/yard-waste.md): Ladysmith's curbside garbage, recycling and organics do not take yard and garden waste. Take grass, leaves and branches under 3 inches across to the CVRD Peerless Road Recycling Centre, 10830 Westdowne Road. It is free for residential loads.

## Water, sewer, roads and snow

- [Ladysmith watering restrictions](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/water-restrictions.md): In Ladysmith, Stage 1 watering restrictions apply every year from May 1 to October 31. Sprinkling is never allowed between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. The Director of Infrastructure Services can move to Stages 2, 3 or 4 at any time. Check the Town's water restrictions page for the current stage.

## Pets, animals and wildlife

- [Ladysmith dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/dog-licence.md): In Ladysmith, every dog over 6 months old must be licensed, with the tag on its collar. The fee for a spayed or neutered dog is $31 from December 1 to January 31 and $41 from February 1 to December 31. For a dog that is not, it is $49 and $59. You buy the tag in person.
- [Ladysmith dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/dog-leash-rules.md): In Ladysmith, dogs must be on a leash everywhere except designated off-leash areas and private property. In parks the leash can be up to 2.4 m, or a retractable lead up to 8 m. The Parks bylaw and the Town's off-leash page list different off-leash areas, so both are given below.
- [Ladysmith rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/dangerous-dogs.md): In Ladysmith, a dangerous dog is one over four months old that is known to attack, has bitten without provocation, or is believed likely to attack. Dangerous and restricted dogs must be confined on the owner's property and leashed and muzzled off it. Report them to Coastal Animal Control Services at 1-888-754-1397.
- [Ladysmith backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/backyard-chickens.md): In Ladysmith you can keep up to six hens (female chickens or ducks) on a property with a single-detached dwelling, in the RU-1, R-1, R-1-A, R-2, R-2-B or R-3 zone, outside the exclusion areas. You need the owner's written consent. Roosters are not allowed. Bees: up to two hives per parcel.

## Parking, tickets and driving

- [Ladysmith RV, boat and trailer parking rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md): In Ladysmith, no vehicle may stay parked on a street more than 72 hours, and a trailer may not be parked on a street without its towing vehicle. On a lot with a single unit dwelling you may keep one boat up to 10 m and one RV up to 11 m in an unenclosed area. Nobody may live in an RV on the street.

## Bylaws, noise and complaints

- [Ladysmith noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/noise-rules.md): Ladysmith's Noise Suppression Bylaw bans noise that disturbs the neighbourhood's peace, rest or enjoyment. It sets no fixed quiet hours for ordinary noise. Construction noise is exempt from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., every day except Sunday. The ticket is $100. Complain in writing to Bylaw Compliance at 250-245-6446.
- [Ladysmith unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/unsightly-property.md): In Ladysmith, owners and occupiers must not let refuse or junk collect, or let property become unsightly. Weeds and graffiti must be removed. Report it in writing with the Bylaw Complaint Form, or call Bylaw Compliance at 250-245-6446. Complaints cannot be anonymous.
- [Ladysmith backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/backyard-fire.md): In Ladysmith, a contained campfire needs no permit if it is no bigger than 0.5 m high and wide, at least 5 m from buildings, shrubs, grassy areas and property lines, and supervised with water on hand. Backyard burning of yard waste is banned, as are burn barrels. Fires are not allowed during a Town or provincial ban.
- [Ladysmith fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/fireworks.md): In Ladysmith, fireworks are allowed only with a Fireworks Permit from the Fire Chief. Anyone 18 or older can apply at least three business days ahead. A family fireworks permit is $10. Firecrackers cannot be used at all, and fireworks cannot be sold.
- [Ladysmith bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/bylaw-fines.md): Ladysmith uses two systems. Municipal tickets under Bylaw 1457 include $100 for general noise, $100 for breaking water restrictions and $200 for unsightly property. Parking tickets are in the Streets bylaw, such as $20 for staying past the time limit. Dog fines under the new bylaw are not known.

## Starting and running a business

- [Ladysmith business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/business-licence.md): Yes, in Ladysmith anyone carrying on a business, including a home based business, needs a Town business licence. It costs $100 a year, or $50 for a new business applying between July 1 and December 31. Send the application to the Financial Services Coordinator.
- [Ladysmith home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/home-based-business.md): Yes, in Ladysmith you can run up to two home based businesses per parcel in zones that allow them, including RU-1, R-1, R-1-A, R-2, R-2-B and R-3. You need a Town business licence ($100 a year) and must meet the size and staffing limits in the Zoning Bylaw.

## Housing and renting

- [Ladysmith short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/short-term-rental.md): In Ladysmith, short-term rental is allowed only as an owner-run Bed and Breakfast in your home, in zones that list it. Whole-home short-term rental is not permitted. You need a Town business licence and must register with the Province.

## Zoning

- [All 30 zones in Ladysmith, as JSON](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/zoning/index.json)
- Zone of an address: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/zoning/lookup?address=123+Main+St