# Gov Handbook: Northern Rockies, British Columbia, Canada

> 22 answers about local government in Northern Rockies. Hub page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/ · All answers as JSON: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/index.json · Full text: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/llms-full.txt

## Building, renovating and your property

- [Northern Rockies building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/building-permit.md): In Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, within the Building Bylaw's Inspection Zone 1 area, you need a permit for new buildings, renovations, accessory structures over 10 m² and demolition. Apply with the Simple or Complex Building Permit form through Regional Development and Planning at Municipal Hall in Fort Nelson.
- [Northern Rockies fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/fence-rules.md): In Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, the municipality's guide says a fence under 1.8 m (6 ft.) needs no building permit. In the townsite's residential zones a fence may be 1.2 m in a front or exterior side yard and 1.8 m in a side or rear yard.
- [Northern Rockies permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/deck-shed-garage-permit.md): In Northern Rockies Regional Municipality a shed or shop over 10 m² (108 sq. ft.) needs a Simple Building Permit, and the website says a deck over 10 m² or over 600 mm (24 in.) above grade does too. Garages and carports are not named; the general rules apply.
- [Northern Rockies building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/building-permit-fees.md): In Northern Rockies Regional Municipality a building permit costs $75 for the first $10,000 of construction value, plus $5 per $1,000 above that. A plan processing fee of $125 (standard building) or $250 (complex building) is paid with the application and credited against the permit fee.
- [Northern Rockies zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/zoning-lookup.md): Northern Rockies Regional Municipality describes no online zoning map or lookup tool. The zoning maps are in the Zoning Bylaw (townsite) and the Rural Zoning Bylaw, both posted on the Maps page. For your lot, call Regional Development and Planning.
- [Northern Rockies secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/secondary-suite.md): Yes. In the Northern Rockies townsite one secondary suite, wholly inside a single detached dwelling, is allowed in the RS-1, RS-1A, RS-2, RS-3, RR-1, RR-2, RM-1, A-1 and A-2 zones. A detached accessory dwelling unit is also allowed in most of them. You need a building permit.

## Garbage, recycling and waste

- [Northern Rockies garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/garbage-collection.md): In Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, curbside garbage is collected weekly inside the Fort Nelson collection service area, using a 240 litre cart the municipality supplies. The fee is $50 a quarter under the 2014 bylaw schedule. The sources we read give no way to look up your collection day; call Public Works.
- [Northern Rockies yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/yard-waste.md): In Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, no separate yard waste collection is described. Yard and garden waste can go in the weekly garbage cart, or be dropped off free in the designated green bins at the Northern Rockies landfill, 3100 55th Street, Fort Nelson.

## Water, sewer, roads and snow

- [Northern Rockies watering restrictions](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/water-restrictions.md): Yes. Northern Rockies Regional Municipality limits sprinkler use year-round: even-numbered addresses water Monday, Thursday and Saturday, odd-numbered addresses Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, only 5:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Stages 1 to 3 add tighter limits when declared.

## Pets, animals and wildlife

- [Northern Rockies dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/dog-licence.md): In Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, any dog over 8 weeks old kept inside the Fort Nelson Animal Control boundary needs a licence. It costs $15 a year for a spayed or neutered dog and $50 for one that is not. Seniors pay $5 or $25. Buy it in person at the Municipal Office.
- [Northern Rockies dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/dog-leash-rules.md): In Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, a dog may not run at large inside the Animal Control boundary. On a street, in a park or other public place it must be leashed and under a competent person's control. A leash may not be longer than 2.4 m (6 ft). A dog park pilot is under way.
- [Northern Rockies rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/dangerous-dogs.md): In Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, owners of a dangerous dog must keep it leashed and held by a competent person, or muzzled, in public, and otherwise in a secured enclosure, with warning signs posted. Report a bite or aggressive dog to Animal Control at 250.775.0048. Call 911 in an emergency.
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Northern Rockies](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/how-many-pets.md): Inside the Animal Control boundary in Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, the bylaw limits an owner to three dogs, three cats or three animals, unless the property is zoned RR-1. The website says three dogs per household. A cat over six months old must be spayed or neutered.
- [Northern Rockies backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/backyard-chickens.md): Northern Rockies Regional Municipality has no rule written for hens or bees. Poultry counts as a "hobby farm" use, which the zoning bylaws allow in the RR-1 and RR-2 zones (and A-1 and A-2 in the townsite). The Animal Control bylaw does not cover birds. Ask the municipality before keeping hens.

## Parking, tickets and driving

- [Northern Rockies RV, boat and trailer parking rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md): In Fort Nelson, an RV, boat trailer or other trailer on a street must be hitched to a vehicle, and no vehicle or trailer may stay parked on a street more than 72 hours. No one may sleep in an RV on a street from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. On private property, keep it at least 1.5 m from a sidewalk or street.

## Bylaws, noise and complaints

- [Northern Rockies noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/noise-rules.md): In Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, no one may make a noise that disturbs the quiet, peace, rest or comfort of another person. The bylaw sets no fixed quiet hours or decibel limits. Construction between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. is exempt. A bylaw notice is $100.
- [Northern Rockies unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/unsightly-property.md): In Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, call Bylaw Enforcement at 250.774.2541 option 5 to report an unsightly property. The Property Maintenance Bylaw covers rubbish, long-term wrecked vehicles and growth over 30 cm high. A bylaw notice is $200.
- [Northern Rockies backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/backyard-fire.md): In Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, open fires are banned unless the Fire Bylaw allows them, and burning needs a free permit from Northern Rockies Fire Rescue. Neither the bylaw nor the website mentions a backyard fire pit. Cooking fires, grills and barbecues are exempt. Check fire bans before burning.
- [Northern Rockies bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/bylaw-fines.md): Northern Rockies Regional Municipality enforces most bylaws with bylaw notices, up to $500 per infraction. Common amounts: unlicensed dog $50, noise $100, unsightly property $200. Pay within 21 days for a lower early amount. Each day an offence continues is a new infraction.

## Starting and running a business

- [Northern Rockies business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/business-licence.md): Yes. Anyone operating a business in Fort Nelson or Northern Rockies Regional Municipality needs a licence, including home occupations and peddlers. Fees are set by business type, for example $40 a year for retail. Apply online or by email to frontcounter@northernrockies.ca.
- [Northern Rockies home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/home-based-business.md): Yes. In Northern Rockies Regional Municipality a minor home-based business is allowed in most residential and rural zones, and a major one in RR-1, RR-2, A-1 and A-2. Both need a business licence. A minor one may use no more than 25% or 50 m² of the home, whichever is less.

## Housing and renting

- [Northern Rockies short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/short-term-rental.md): In Northern Rockies Regional Municipality the Zoning Bylaw has no short-term rental use, but a bed and breakfast is allowed in a single detached or modular dwelling in listed zones. You need a municipal business licence and must register with the Province, which applies to stays under 90 consecutive days.

## Zoning

- [All 35 zones in Northern Rockies, as JSON](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/zoning/index.json)
- Zone of an address: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/zoning/lookup?address=123+Main+St