# Gov Handbook: Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada

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

## Building, renovating and your property

- [Port Alberni building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/building-permit.md): In the City of Port Alberni you need a building permit before any stage of work, including excavation or demolition, to build, repair, alter, move or demolish a building or structure. Apply to Development Services at Upper - 4835 Argyle St. with the $100 application fee.
- [Port Alberni fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/fence-rules.md): In Port Alberni, fences may be up to 1.25 m in a required front yard and 1.8 m from the rear of the front yard setback to the back of the lot. No City page or bylaw states a fence permit rule, so ask Building Services at 250-720-2835.
- [Port Alberni permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/deck-shed-garage-permit.md): Port Alberni requires a building permit to construct a building or structure, but no City page states a size or height cutoff for sheds or decks, and none exempts garages or carports. Ask the Building Department at 250-720-2835 before you build.
- [Port Alberni building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/building-permit-fees.md): A City of Port Alberni building permit costs a $100 base fee plus $7 for each $1,000 of construction value, or part of $1,000. A $100 application fee is paid when you submit. Other fees apply to plumbing, demolition and retaining walls.
- [Port Alberni zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/zoning-lookup.md): In the City of Port Alberni, find your zone on the Zoning Map (Schedule A of Zoning Bylaw 5105, 2024), posted as a PDF on the City's Zoning page and the Municipal Mapping page. Development Services at 250-720-2835 can also confirm a zone.
- [Port Alberni secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/secondary-suite.md): Yes, in some zones. Port Alberni's Zoning Bylaw 5105 allows a secondary suite in the A1, FD, RR, R and C9 zones, limited to 40% of the habitable floor space, with the main home permanently occupied and one extra parking space. Carriage houses and garden suites are allowed in RR and R zones.
- [Port Alberni tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/tree-removal.md): Port Alberni has no general permit for cutting trees on private land, but clearing or land alteration needs a development permit, unless exempt, on land shown on OCP Maps 8, 9 and 10. Trees on a street or boulevard need written City permission.

## Garbage, recycling and waste

- [Port Alberni garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/garbage-collection.md): The City of Port Alberni collects organics every week and garbage and recycling each every two weeks, on alternating weeks, on your regular collection day. Put carts out by 7 a.m.; crews start at 7 a.m. The lid must close; overflow and bags outside the cart are not collected.
- [Port Alberni yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/yard-waste.md): In Port Alberni, grass clippings, tree trimmings and garden waste go in the green organics cart, collected every week. Branches must be no longer than 24 inches (2 feet) and no thicker than 2 inches. Larger loads can go to the Alberni Valley Sort'nGo Centre; residential branches are $10 per load.

## Water, sewer, roads and snow

- [Port Alberni watering restrictions](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/water-restrictions.md): Yes. The City of Port Alberni brings in Stage 1 water restrictions every year, typically July 1 to September 30, and can tighten them if hot weather persists. Under Stage 1, even-numbered addresses sprinkle on even-numbered days and odd on odd, 6 to 9 a.m. or 6 to 9 p.m. Check the current stage.

## Pets, animals and wildlife

- [Port Alberni dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/dog-licence.md): Every dog over six months old in Port Alberni needs a City licence for each calendar year. The fee is $30 for a spayed or neutered dog and $45 for one that is not. Email the application, then pay in person or online.
- [Port Alberni dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/dog-leash-rules.md): In Port Alberni, a dog in a public place must be on a leash, chain or tether no longer than 183 cm (6 feet) and under a competent person's control. The City names one off-leash park, on Beaver Creek Road. A dog at large or off leash is a $100 bylaw notice.
- [Port Alberni rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/dangerous-dogs.md): Port Alberni's Animal Control and Pound Bylaw regulates "vicious dogs". An owner must keep one confined indoors, in a child-proof enclosed pen, or muzzled and leashed with a skilled handler. A bylaw notice for failing to do so is $500. Report to Coastal Animal Control Services.
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Port Alberni](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/how-many-pets.md): Port Alberni's bylaws set no limit on how many dogs or cats a household may keep. Each dog over six months needs a licence. Hens and bees are limited by lot size. A kennel (3 or more dogs or cats) is a separate zoned use.
- [Port Alberni backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/backyard-chickens.md): Yes, within limits. In Port Alberni, hens are allowed in single detached residential zones on lots of 350 m2 or more: up to 4 on lots under 450 m2, up to 6 on lots over 450 m2 and under 2,000 m2. Bees need a lot of at least 600 m2.

## Parking, tickets and driving

- [Port Alberni RV, boat and trailer parking rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md): Not for storage. In Port Alberni you cannot store a boat or trailer on a street, and no vehicle may stay in one spot on a street more than 96 hours. On your own lot in R, RR and RM zones, one boat up to 9 m and one trailer or RV may be kept outside.

## Bylaws, noise and complaints

- [Port Alberni noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/noise-rules.md): Port Alberni has no single set of quiet hours. Under the Noise Control Bylaw, amplified sound heard in a neighbouring home is banned before 8 a.m. and after 11 p.m., and building or repair work before 7 a.m. and after 10 p.m. Any noise that disturbs the peace is prohibited.
- [Port Alberni unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/unsightly-property.md): Report it to Port Alberni's Bylaw Services by online form or by phone at 250-720-2831. Owners and occupiers must not let property become unsightly or unsanitary, for example through rubbish, overgrown grass or weeds, standing water or a derelict vehicle. A bylaw notice is $200.
- [Port Alberni backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/backyard-fire.md): Yes, small campfires are allowed in Port Alberni year-round unless the Fire Chief suspends outdoor burning. A campfire must be no bigger than 0.5 m high and wide and kept 3 m from anything that burns. Burning yard waste and other open burning is prohibited. Check for a suspension first.
- [Port Alberni fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/fireworks.md): No. Port Alberni's Fireworks Regulation Bylaw prohibits holding, storing, selling or setting off consumer fireworks and firecrackers at any time. Display fireworks need a Fireworks Event Permit from the Fire Chief, applied for in writing at least 30 days ahead.
- [Port Alberni bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/bylaw-fines.md): Port Alberni issues bylaw notices under its Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 5128, whose Schedule A lists each offence and amount. Pay within 14 days for 25% off; pay after 28 days and a 25% surcharge applies. To dispute, file the form within 14 days.

## Starting and running a business

- [Port Alberni business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/business-licence.md): Yes. Every business carried on in the City of Port Alberni needs a licence for each business location, including mobile businesses. Email the application to bus_licence@portalberni.ca or take it to Development Services, Upper - 4835 Argyle St. Most businesses pay $132 a year.
- [Port Alberni home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/home-based-business.md): Yes. In Port Alberni a home occupation is allowed in many zones if a permanent resident runs it entirely inside the dwelling, within the limits of section 6.15 of Zoning Bylaw 5105. It needs a City business licence, generally $132 a year.

## Housing and renting

- [Port Alberni short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/short-term-rental.md): Only in limited cases. In Port Alberni a short-term rental is allowed as a bed and breakfast in a single detached dwelling lived in by its permanent residents (up to 2 bedrooms), in a legal secondary suite in the R or RR zones, or as a guest house in the C9 zone. A City licence and provincial registration are required.

## Zoning

- [All 27 zones in Port Alberni, as JSON](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/zoning/index.json)
- Zone of an address: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/zoning/lookup?address=123+Main+St