# Gov Handbook: North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada

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

## Building, renovating and your property

- [North Saanich building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/building-permit.md): In North Saanich you need a building permit before you build, repair or alter a building or structure, including new homes, additions, accessory buildings over 10 m², pools over 1 m deep, retaining walls 1 m or higher, fences 2 m or higher, and all seawalls. Apply to Planning and Community Services at Municipal Hall. Review typically takes about 3 weeks.
- [North Saanich fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/fence-rules.md): In North Saanich a fence under 2 m high needs no building permit; a fence 2 m or higher does. Zoning limits apply either way: in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 single family zones, fences may be 1.2 m high in the front yard and 1.9 m elsewhere.
- [North Saanich permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/deck-shed-garage-permit.md): In North Saanich one storage shed up to 10 m² (107 ft²) with no mechanical services needs no building permit. A larger accessory building, a garage or carport, and a porch or sun deck do need one. Zoning size, height and setback limits apply either way.
- [North Saanich building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/building-permit-fees.md): In North Saanich the building permit fee is 1¼% of the fair market value of construction. A plan processing fee is paid with the application: $250 for a new one-family dwelling, otherwise 50% of the estimated permit fee (at least $100, at most $2,000). Starting work without a permit doubles the fee.
- [North Saanich zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/zoning-lookup.md): Look up your address on the District of North Saanich's online GIS map to see its zone, then read that zone's rules in Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 1255. For a written record, request Property File Information from the District for $75 plus GST.
- [North Saanich secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/secondary-suite.md): In North Saanich a secondary suite (up to two bedrooms, inside a single family home) is allowed in RA-1 to RA-6, R-1 to R-3, RS-1 and CD-1, CD-3, CD-4, CD-5 and CD-6. A guest cottage is allowed in RA-2 to RA-6, R-2, R-3 and CD-2. Both need a building permit, and a suite also needs a suite permit.
- [North Saanich tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/tree-removal.md): Often yes. North Saanich requires a tree permit to cut, damage or remove a tree 20 cm or more across at 1.4 m, or 10 cm or more in environmental or steep-slope development permit areas. Fees start at $100 plus $25 per tree; dead, high-risk, wildfire-hazard or invasive trees are $0.

## Garbage, recycling and waste

- [North Saanich garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/garbage-collection.md): No. The District of North Saanich does not provide garbage collection. Residents arrange pick-up with a private company or take garbage to Hartland Landfill. Blue box recycling is provided by the Capital Regional District (CRD), at the curb on your collection day.
- [North Saanich yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/yard-waste.md): North Saanich does not describe curbside yard waste collection. Take it to the District Green Waste Facility, 10180 Littlewood Road, which charges $7 per car and $15 per pickup or utility trailer. Hartland Landfill also accepts yard and garden waste.

## Water, sewer, roads and snow

- [North Saanich watering restrictions](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/water-restrictions.md): Yes. In North Saanich, the Capital Regional District (CRD) Water Conservation Bylaw 4099 applies. Stage 1 restrictions apply every year from May 1 to September 30, and the CRD can change the dates or bring in a stricter stage at any time. Lawn watering days depend on whether your address is odd or even.

## Pets, animals and wildlife

- [North Saanich dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/dog-licence.md): Every dog over six months old in North Saanich needs a District licence each calendar year. Apply through Finance at Municipal Hall. Spayed or neutered dogs cost $20 and others $30 for a renewal before the due date or a new licence issued January 1 to July 31.
- [North Saanich dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/dog-leash-rules.md): North Saanich has no general leash requirement for ordinary dogs. Under Animal Control Bylaw 751 a dog may not run at large, meaning off its owner's land and not under direct and continuous control. The District's park guide shows an off-leash area at Cy Hampson Park and requires leashes at Dominion Brook Park.
- [North Saanich rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/dangerous-dogs.md): North Saanich's Animal Control Bylaw 751 defines a dangerous dog and requires it to be confined at home, on a leash of 2.4 metres or less with a muzzle in public, and its entrances posted with a warning sign. The bylaw does not say who decides a dog is dangerous. CRD Animal Control handles complaints.
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in North Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/how-many-pets.md): In North Saanich, Animal Control Bylaw 751 allows no more than three dogs over six months old on a parcel without a Kennel Licence. Cats are also limited to three. More than three dogs needs a kennel licence, a use the zoning allows, and a parcel of at least 1 hectare.
- [North Saanich backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/backyard-chickens.md): Yes, in North Saanich's single-family residential zones on lots of 1,115 square metres or more. Animal Control Bylaw 751 allows 10, 20 or 30 birds depending on lot size, in a coop that meets set rules. Roosters are mostly banned, and bee hives must be 20 feet from property lines.

## Parking, tickets and driving

- [North Saanich RV, boat and trailer parking rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md): North Saanich has no separate RV bylaw. On a street, no vehicle may stay on a highway or in the same block for more than 24 hours. On your lot, the Zoning Bylaw bars parking or storing a vehicle, trailer, boat trailer or mobile home longer than 6 metres or over 4,200 kg for 72 or more consecutive hours.

## Bylaws, noise and complaints

- [North Saanich noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/noise-rules.md): North Saanich's Noise Bylaw 1383 bans noise that disturbs neighbours at any hour and sets no fixed quiet hours. It sets hours only for construction: Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (not on a statutory holiday) and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The bylaw lists no Sunday hours.
- [North Saanich unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/unsightly-property.md): Send a written complaint about the property to North Saanich Bylaw Services using the Bylaw Complaint Form or bylawenforcement@northsaanich.ca. Unsightly Premises Bylaw 1400 covers rubbish, graffiti, unlicensed vehicles and untended brush or weeds. An officer can order removal within 14 days.
- [North Saanich backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/backyard-fire.md): In North Saanich, outdoor burning needs a permit from the Fire Department, $25 for fires up to 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft and for fire appliances, $35 for fires up to 10 ft x 10 ft x 10 ft. Open burning is allowed only in the burning season on set days; the District publishes a calendar each year.
- [North Saanich fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/fireworks.md): Only with a permit. North Saanich's Fireworks Regulation Bylaw 1148 bans storing, possessing or setting off fireworks without a Fireworks Permit from the Fire Chief, and bans firecrackers outright. A permit can be issued only for 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on October 31, or for a Fireworks Event.
- [North Saanich bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/bylaw-fines.md): North Saanich enforces many bylaws with municipal tickets under Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 1544. Examples from its 2022 schedules: noise $390, unsightly premises $130, unlicensed dog $130, street parking over 24 hours $150. Each schedule lists a lower amount if paid within 30 days. The District has 2026 ticket bylaws we could not read.

## Starting and running a business

- [North Saanich business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/business-licence.md): Yes. Anyone who owns or operates a business in the District of North Saanich, including a home-based business, needs a District business licence, and the business must first be registered with BC Registry Services. Fees start at $50 a year (Home Based) and $100 (Commercial).
- [North Saanich home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/home-based-business.md): Yes, in North Saanich where your zone lists Home Occupation and you meet every Zoning Bylaw section 203 condition (for example, a resident runs it, limited floor area, no outdoor storage). You also need a District business licence; Home Based Business is $50 a year.

## Housing and renting

- [North Saanich short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/short-term-rental.md): North Saanich has no short-term rental bylaw. Its zoning allows only listed uses and excludes temporary accommodation (under 30 days) from single family residential, so short stays in practice mean a resident-run bed and breakfast. The Province's principal residence rule applies here.

## Zoning

- [All 37 zones in North Saanich, as JSON](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/zoning/index.json)
- Zone of an address: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/zoning/lookup?address=123+Main+St