Metchosin, British Columbia

Metchosin is a rural community in the Capital Region on southern Vancouver Island, west of Victoria, with large residential lots, hobby farms and much of the region's productive agricultural land. The District of Metchosin handles building permits and inspections, land use and zoning, business licences, tree cutting permits, bylaw enforcement, roads, parks and the Metchosin Fire Department. It does not collect garbage; residents arrange their own service. The Capital Regional District runs Blue Box recycling, water services, regional parks, Hartland Landfill, and (through CRD Bylaw and Animal Care Services) dog licensing and animal control. Policing is by the West Shore RCMP. Many things people think of as "district" matters, like marriage licences, health cards and driver's licences, are provincial.