# Gov Handbook: New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada

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

## Building, renovating and your property

- [New Westminster building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/building-permit.md): Yes, in most cases. In New Westminster you need a City building permit for a new detached dwelling, an addition or renovation, and a new accessory building over 10 square metres, such as a garage. Apply by email or online through MyCity.
- [New Westminster fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/fence-rules.md): No, the City of New Westminster does not require a building permit for a fence. In residential zones the limit is 1.22 metres (4 feet) in a required front yard and 1.83 metres (6 feet) on a side or rear boundary. Near a street corner the limit is 0.91 metres (3 feet).
- [New Westminster permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/deck-shed-garage-permit.md): In New Westminster, a new accessory building over 10 square metres, such as a garage, needs a City building permit. The City lists sheds and carports with garages as accessory buildings. The City's web pages and bylaws we read do not state when a deck needs a permit, so call the Building Division.
- [New Westminster building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/building-permit-fees.md): In 2026 the City of New Westminster's minimum building permit fee is $169. Above that it is based on construction value: $18.50 per $1,000 up to $50,000, $16.40 per $1,000 from $50,001 to $150,000, and $14.40 per $1,000 above $150,000.
- [New Westminster zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/zoning-lookup.md): Search your address on the City of New Westminster's CityViews map. Selecting the property gives a Site Development Report that shows its zoning. Then read that zone in Zoning Bylaw 6680. For help, contact the Planning Division at 604-527-4532.
- [New Westminster secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/secondary-suite.md): Often yes. In New Westminster's RS-1 zone, one secondary suite is allowed in a single detached house, and so is one laneway or carriage house. Both need a building permit and a tree permit. Neither can be sold separately or used for short-term rentals. Confirm your zoning with Planning first.
- [New Westminster tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/tree-removal.md): Yes, for any protected tree. In New Westminster that means a tree 20 cm or more across (measured 1.3 m above the ground), a hedge 5 m or higher, a tree with nesting birds, and any tree or shrub on City land. A permit costs $106 per tree for the first 5.

## Garbage, recycling and waste

- [New Westminster garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/garbage-collection.md): New Westminster collects garbage every two weeks, and your day is on the City's online collection schedule. Put your cart at the curb or lane by 7 a.m. on collection day. Extra garbage goes in Tag-a-Bag bags ($5 per tag), each no more than 60 L and 23 kg.
- [New Westminster yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/yard-waste.md): In New Westminster, yard trimmings go in the green cart with food scraps, collected weekly year round. Up to two extra kraft paper bags may go out with it each week, with extra bag and branch collection four weeks each spring and fall. Residents can also drop extra off free in Coquitlam.

## Water, sewer, roads and snow

- [New Westminster watering restrictions](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/water-restrictions.md): Yes. In New Westminster, Stage 1 applies every year from May 1 to October 15 without any announcement. At Stage 1, homes with even-numbered addresses may water lawns on Saturdays and odd-numbered homes on Sundays. From October 16 to April 30 there are no restrictions unless declared.

## Pets, animals and wildlife

- [New Westminster dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/dog-licence.md): Every dog in New Westminster must have and wear a current City dog licence, with no minimum age. A first licence is $39 for a dog that is not spayed or neutered and $29 for one that is (proof required). Apply through the City's Animal Services at 420 Boyne Street.
- [New Westminster dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/dog-leash-rules.md): In New Westminster a dog off its owner's property must be on a collar and leash and under control, except in a designated off-leash area. The City lists nine off-leash areas, and off-leash use is allowed inside the fenced area only. A dog off leash can cost $250 by bylaw notice.
- [New Westminster rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/dangerous-dogs.md): New Westminster's Animal Care and Control Bylaw sorts risky dogs into aggressive, vicious and dangerous tiers, each with stricter leash, muzzle and confinement rules. Dangerous dogs also need an enclosure at least 1.8 m high and $1,000,000 liability insurance. Report a dog to 604-519-2008.
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/how-many-pets.md): In New Westminster you may keep no more than three dogs on any parcel of land or real property. The City's Animal Care and Control Bylaw sets no limit on cats, and states no exception to the dog limit.

## Parking, tickets and driving

- [New Westminster RV, boat and trailer parking rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md): In New Westminster an RV may not be parked on a public place for more than 48 consecutive hours, and an unattached trailer may not be parked there at all, unless a Street Occupancy Permit allows it. On a house lot, only one recreational boat or one RV belonging to the occupants is allowed.

## Bylaws, noise and complaints

- [New Westminster noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/noise-rules.md): New Westminster's Noise Bylaw bans noise that disturbs neighbours at any hour and sets decibel limits. Night is 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Construction noise is allowed weekdays 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Report problems to Bylaw Enforcement at 604-527-4657.
- [New Westminster unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/unsightly-property.md): In New Westminster, owners and occupiers must keep property free of rubbish, graffiti and overgrown weeds or grass under the Unsightly Premises Bylaw. The City's Bylaw Enforcement page lists no separate report form; call its general inquiries line at 604-527-4657.
- [New Westminster backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/backyard-fire.md): No. New Westminster's Fire Protection Bylaw bans open-air fires and burning yard waste. The exceptions are a contained fire used only to cook food, and certified propane or natural gas fire pits under a fire bulletin. A bylaw notice for a first offence is $200.
- [New Westminster fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/fireworks.md): In New Westminster, low hazard fireworks may be set off only from 4 p.m. on October 31 to 12:01 a.m. on November 1, and not by anyone under 18. Selling them in the City is banned. High hazard fireworks need a Special Permit.
- [New Westminster bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/bylaw-fines.md): New Westminster has two ticket systems side by side: bylaw notices under the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7318, and municipal tickets under Bylaw 8077 with fines up to $1,000. Pay a bylaw notice within 14 days for the lower early amount, or dispute it within 14 days.

## Starting and running a business

- [New Westminster business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/business-licence.md): Yes. Every business in the City of New Westminster, including home-based businesses, rental property owners and contractors from outside the city, needs a City business licence. The 2026 application fee is $59 (non-refundable), plus an annual fee by business type. Apply in person or by email.
- [New Westminster home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/home-based-business.md): Yes. In New Westminster you can run a home-based business as an accessory use to your home, if you live there and hold a City business licence. Zoning Bylaw section 190.28 sets limits, such as 500 square feet of space and one non-resident worker. Confirm your zone with Planning.

## Housing and renting

- [New Westminster short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/short-term-rental.md): In New Westminster, short-term rentals are not permitted unless you hold a valid Bed and Breakfast business licence, which is for a home where you live. A secondary suite or laneway house cannot be used. You must also register with the Province, which has its own fee.

## Zoning

- [All 86 zones in New Westminster, as JSON](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/zoning/index.json)
- Zone of an address: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/zoning/lookup?address=123+Main+St