# Gov Handbook: Merritt, British Columbia, Canada

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

## Building, renovating and your property

- [Merritt building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/building-permit.md): Yes. In the City of Merritt a building permit is required for new construction and renovations, with a short list of exceptions such as fences, small sheds and low decks. Apply online through CloudPermit. Planning & Development Services can be reached at 250-378-8615.
- [Merritt fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/fence-rules.md): A fence in the City of Merritt does not need a building permit, but a retaining wall does. In residential zones a fence may be 1.25 m high in the front yard and 2.0 m at the side and rear. Barbed wire is not allowed in residential zones.
- [Merritt permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/deck-shed-garage-permit.md): In the City of Merritt a garage or carport needs a building permit. A deck needs one unless it is under 600 mm above the ground with no walls or roof. A shed under 10 m2 is outside the Building Bylaw, though the City's web page says 100 sq ft, so confirm first.
- [Merritt building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/building-permit-fees.md): A City of Merritt building permit starts with a $200 non-refundable application fee. On top of that, the 2026 rate is $9.92 for each $1,000 (or part) of value above $1,000, up to $400,000, and $6.62 for each $1,000 above $400,000. The $200 counts toward the total.
- [Merritt zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/zoning-lookup.md): Find your zone on the City of Merritt's interactive GIS map or its Official Zoning Map (PDF), then read that zone's section in Zoning Bylaw 2284, 2020. The map file dates from November 2025, so confirm your zone with Planning & Development Services at 250-378-8615.
- [Merritt secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/secondary-suite.md): Often yes. In the City of Merritt a secondary suite is allowed inside a house in the AR1, R1, R3, R4 and C6 zones, and a detached secondary dwelling in AR1, R1 and R3. A parcel of 280 m2 or less may have up to 3 units. A building permit is required.
- [Merritt tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/tree-removal.md): The City of Merritt has no bylaw regulating tree cutting on private land. In wildfire and riparian (waterside) development permit areas, though, other removal likely needs a development permit. Trees in City parks and on boulevards are protected. Confirm with Planning first.

## Garbage, recycling and waste

- [Merritt garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/garbage-collection.md): Merritt collects residential garbage and recycling together once a week, on Tuesday (Zone 3), Wednesday (Zone 4), Thursday (Zone 1) or Friday (Zone 2). Put the cart out by 7:00 a.m. with the lid closed and 1 metre from any nearby object.
- [Merritt yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/yard-waste.md): Merritt has no regular curbside yard waste collection. Residents can drop yard waste off free at the Thompson-Nicola Regional District's Lower Nicola Eco-Depot, 2348 Woodward Road, open daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The City also runs a free FireSmart curbside chipping program for some conifer branches, by registration.

## Water, sewer, roads and snow

- [Merritt watering restrictions](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/water-restrictions.md): Merritt sets lawn watering by level. Levels 1 and 2 allow three days a week, Level 3 two days, Level 4 one day and Level 5 none. Check the City's watering page for the level in effect now. Your days depend on whether your house number is even or odd.

## Pets, animals and wildlife

- [Merritt dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/dog-licence.md): In Merritt, a dog over three months old needs a City dog licence, bought at City Hall. The 2026 fee is $24 for a spayed or neutered dog and $80 for one that is not. The City's web page says six months; the bylaw says three, so confirm with the City.
- [Merritt dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/dog-leash-rules.md): In Merritt, off your own property a dog must be on a secure leash held by a competent person, or in a vehicle, building, enclosure or signed off-leash area. The City lists one off-leash dog park, at Voght Park, 1500 Canford Avenue. No animals are allowed in playgrounds or sports fields.
- [Merritt rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/dangerous-dogs.md): Merritt's Animal Control Bylaw sets two classes. Both must be securely confined or on a leash of at most six feet in public; a dangerous dog is also always muzzled in public. 2026 licences cost $350 (aggressive) and $1,250 (dangerous).
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Merritt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/how-many-pets.md): In the City of Merritt you may keep no more than two dogs over six months old and no more than two cats at any residence, including a home with a suite, boarder or tenant. Bylaw Services can approve more dogs.
- [Merritt backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/backyard-chickens.md): In Merritt you may keep 2 to 6 hens (no roosters) on parcels zoned R1, R3, P2 or P3, and bees with a City beekeeping permit on R1 or R3 lots. Other livestock and poultry are banned on residential lots.

## Parking, tickets and driving

- [Merritt RV, boat and trailer parking rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md): In Merritt, an unattached trailer cannot be parked on a street, and a recreational vehicle may park on a City street for no more than two consecutive hours. On a residential lot you may keep one motor home, truck camper or travel trailer and one boat, each up to 10 m long.

## Bylaws, noise and complaints

- [Merritt noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/noise-rules.md): Merritt's Good Neighbour Bylaw bans noise that disturbs the neighbourhood at any hour and sets no fixed quiet hours. Disturbing construction noise is banned before 7:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m. A noise bylaw notice is $200 ($150 if paid within 14 days).
- [Merritt unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/unsightly-property.md): To report an unsightly or overgrown property in the City of Merritt, use the City's online Report a Bylaw Infraction form and choose Unsightly Property. A Bylaw Services Officer can order the owner to fix it within 14 days; a first bylaw notice is $100.
- [Merritt backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/backyard-fire.md): In the City of Merritt, a backyard campfire needs a Small Confined Fire Permit for your parcel, and fires are allowed only when open fires are allowed in the Kamloops Fire Centre. Burning leaves, grass or yard waste is not allowed.
- [Merritt fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/fireworks.md): In the City of Merritt, consumer fireworks may be sold or used only from October 16 to November 1 each year, unless the Fire Chief gives written authorization. They cannot be sold to anyone under 18.
- [Merritt bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/bylaw-fines.md): Merritt enforces most bylaws with bylaw notices under Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2424. Most are $100, with a lower amount if you pay within 14 days and a higher one after 28 days. Examples: noise $200, no dog licence $200, dog at large $100, watering violation $100.

## Starting and running a business

- [Merritt business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/business-licence.md): Yes. Anyone carrying on a business in the City of Merritt, including home-based businesses and couriers, needs a City business licence. Get any non-municipal approvals first, then apply to the City with a $50 application fee. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks.
- [Merritt home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/home-based-business.md): Yes. In the City of Merritt a home-based business with a valid business licence is allowed in every zone except RC1, as a secondary use to a dwelling. Limits include 40% of the home's floor area, one non-resident employee and two clients at a time.

## Housing and renting

- [Merritt short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/short-term-rental.md): In Merritt, a short-term rental needs a City business licence and a zone that allows it; in R1, R3, R7, R8 and C5 it may be a discretionary use. Provincial host registration still applies, though Merritt is exempt from the principal-residence rule. Stays are capped at 30 consecutive days and 90 days a year.

## Zoning

- [All 23 zones in Merritt, as JSON](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/zoning/index.json)
- Zone of an address: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/zoning/lookup?address=123+Main+St