# Gov Handbook: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

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

## Building, renovating and your property

- [Nanaimo building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/building-permit.md): In the City of Nanaimo you need a building permit for a detached building over 10 square metres, any structural change, addition, demolition or layout change, and any change to water or drain piping. Apply online. The City aims to process a complete residential application in three weeks.
- [Nanaimo fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/fence-rules.md): The City of Nanaimo does not require a building permit for a fence, but it must meet Zoning Bylaw 4500. In most residential zones (R1 to R10, R14, R15) the limit is 1.2 m in the required front yard, 2.4 m in side and rear yards, and 1.8 m on the street side of a corner lot.
- [Nanaimo permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/deck-shed-garage-permit.md): In the City of Nanaimo, a shed, garage or other detached building over 10 square metres (107.64 square feet) needs a building permit. A new deck needs one unless it is low, uncovered, not the main entrance and not attached to the house. The City's pages do not mention carports.
- [Nanaimo building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/building-permit-fees.md): A City of Nanaimo building permit costs $105 for the minimum and the first $1,000 of construction value, plus $10 per $1,000 up to $100,000 and $7 per $1,000 above that. Plumbing and other fees are extra. Jobs over $20,000 pay a 10 percent application fee up front.
- [Nanaimo zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/zoning-lookup.md): Look up your property's zone in the "Zoning" layer of NanaimoMap, the City of Nanaimo's online map, then read that zone's rules in Zoning Bylaw 4500. Current Planning staff can confirm your zone at 250-755-4429 ext. 4509.
- [Nanaimo secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/secondary-suite.md): Yes, in most City of Nanaimo zones that allow a house, duplex or row house. You need a building permit for a secondary suite or carriage house. Zoning allows one suite per dwelling, or two on some single-dwelling lots if exactly one is in a detached building. One parking space is required.
- [Nanaimo tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/tree-removal.md): In the City of Nanaimo you need a permit to cut a protected tree, which includes any tree in a Development Permit Area, a significant tree, or a City tree. For other trees you can remove up to four a year from your parcel without one.

## Garbage, recycling and waste

- [Nanaimo garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/garbage-collection.md): The City of Nanaimo collects organics (green cart) weekly, while garbage (black cart) and recycling (blue cart) alternate, each every second week. Find your day with the Nanaimo Recycles search tool or app. Each cart may hold no more than 35 kg.
- [Nanaimo yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/yard-waste.md): In Nanaimo, leaves, grass and light trimmings go in the green cart, collected weekly by the City. Branches and logs are not accepted in the carts; take them to the Regional District of Nanaimo's Regional Landfill or Church Road Transfer Station, where a load up to 100 kg is $8.

## Water, sewer, roads and snow

- [Nanaimo watering restrictions](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/water-restrictions.md): Yes. The City of Nanaimo's Waterworks bylaw sets four watering stages. Stage 1 applies in April and October and Stage 2 from May to September. Stages 3 and 4 start only when the City gives notice. Check the City's Watering Restrictions page for the stage in effect now.

## Pets, animals and wildlife

- [Nanaimo dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/dog-licence.md): Every dog over 16 weeks old in the City of Nanaimo needs a City licence each calendar year. The fee is $25 for a spayed or neutered dog and $50 for one that is not, if paid by February 28; it rises to $30 and $60 after that. Apply online or in person.
- [Nanaimo dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/dog-leash-rules.md): In the City of Nanaimo, dogs must be on a leash (6 feet or shorter) in any public place except 12 designated off-leash parks, such as Beban Park (fenced area) and Westwood Lake Park. Public beaches in parks are closed to animals from May to September.
- [Nanaimo rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/dangerous-dogs.md): In the City of Nanaimo, the Poundkeeper can declare a dog aggressive if it has bitten, injured or aggressively chased a person or animal. The owner must then get a special licence within 14 days, muzzle and leash the dog in public, and carry $1,000,000 in liability insurance.
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Nanaimo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/how-many-pets.md): In the City of Nanaimo you may keep no more than 4 dogs over 16 weeks old and 5 cats over 12 weeks old on a property. There is also a cap of 6 companion animals in total and 12 animals of any kind, unless the bylaw says otherwise. Going over a limit is a $100 ticket.
- [Nanaimo backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/backyard-chickens.md): Yes, with limits. In the City of Nanaimo you may keep up to 6 hens or ducks on a residential lot of 0.045 to under 0.4 hectares, or 4 on a smaller lot, with no roosters. Beekeeping is allowed (1 hive on lots under 0.4 hectares). Other livestock is allowed only on land zoned for it.

## Parking, tickets and driving

- [Nanaimo RV, boat and trailer parking rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md): In Nanaimo no vehicle may stay on a street more than 24 hours without written permission, and a trailer may not be left on a street unhitched. On a single-dwelling lot, cars, RVs and boats combined are capped at four, or the number of spaces the Parking Bylaw requires if greater.

## Bylaws, noise and complaints

- [Nanaimo noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/noise-rules.md): In the City of Nanaimo, amplified sound clearly audible in a residential area is a disturbance between 11 p.m. and 9 a.m. Construction is not allowed before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m., Monday to Saturday (9 a.m. on Sundays and statutory holidays). The ticket is $100.
- [Nanaimo unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/unsightly-property.md): Report an unsightly or overgrown property in Nanaimo to Bylaw Regulation and Security at 250-755-4422 or bylaw.info@nanaimo.ca. The Property Maintenance and Standards Bylaw 7242 covers rubbish, graffiti, standing water, noxious weeds and overgrowth.
- [Nanaimo backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/backyard-fire.md): In the City of Nanaimo, backyard fires are allowed only for cooking (no permit needed). Burning yard waste needs a free permit and is limited to lots of 1 acre or more, or Protection Island, on Fridays and Saturdays in April and November. No fires are allowed during a provincial fire ban.
- [Nanaimo fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/fireworks.md): No. In the City of Nanaimo no one may light, discharge or possess fireworks without a Fireworks Permit from the Fire Chief, and no one may sell, give or trade them. There are no general dates or hours for residents. Tickets are $200.
- [Nanaimo bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/bylaw-fines.md): Nanaimo's bylaw tickets are set in Schedule A of Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7159. Examples: unleashed dog $100, noise $100, rubbish on property $150, parked over 24 hours $35. Paying within 14 days of receiving the notice earns a lower early-payment amount.

## Starting and running a business

- [Nanaimo business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/business-licence.md): Yes. Any business in the City of Nanaimo needs a City business licence, including short-term rentals and non-profits that operate more than 12 days a year. Most pay $165 a year. Apply online or with a PDF form to Business Licensing (250-755-4482). Licences expire each December 31.
- [Nanaimo home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/home-based-business.md): Yes. The City of Nanaimo allows home-based businesses in any dwelling unit or secondary suite, with a City business licence. Size, customer trips and non-resident staff are capped by the type of home you live in, and some uses (such as restaurants and auto body repair) are banned.

## Housing and renting

- [Nanaimo short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/short-term-rental.md): Yes, but only in your primary residence, with a City of Nanaimo short-term rental business licence ($165 a year) and a provincial registration. Stays must be under 30 days, with up to four guests aged 19 or older.

## Zoning

- [All 52 zones in Nanaimo, as JSON](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/zoning/index.json)
- Zone of an address: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/zoning/lookup?address=123+Main+St