# Gov Handbook: Saanich, British Columbia, Canada

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

## Building, renovating and your property

- [Saanich building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/building-permit.md): In Saanich you need a District building permit to build, alter, move or demolish a building, and for any new building over 10 m² (107 sq ft). Apply online through a MySaanich account. For a complete application the District aims to respond within 12 business days (residential).
- [Saanich fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/fence-rules.md): In Saanich an ordinary fence needs no building permit, but the Zoning Bylaw limits height to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) toward the street and 1.9 m (6.2 ft) in other yards. Pool fences need a written permit from Inspection Services, and retaining walls are regulated separately.
- [Saanich permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/deck-shed-garage-permit.md): In Saanich a new shed, garage or other accessory building over 10 m² (107 sq ft) needs a building permit. A smaller utility building that creates no hazard does not, but must meet zoning. A deck is applied for as an addition; no deck size or height threshold is stated.
- [Saanich building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/building-permit-fees.md): In Saanich a building permit costs $100 for the first $1,000 of value, plus $13 per $1,000 for the next $499,000, plus $10 per $1,000 above $500,000. A non-refundable application fee of $100 or more is paid with the application and counts toward the permit fee.
- [Saanich zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/zoning-lookup.md): In Saanich, search your address in SaanichMap and the zoning appears in the details panel. Then read that zone in Zoning Bylaw No. 8200. To confirm, contact the Planning Department at 250-475-5471 or zoning@saanich.ca.
- [Saanich secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/secondary-suite.md): Yes. In Saanich a secondary suite is a permitted use in all RS, RD and A zones, inside a single family dwelling or houseplex. Detached garden suites are allowed on some lots. You need a building permit and then an occupancy permit before anyone moves in.
- [Saanich tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/tree-removal.md): Yes, in Saanich for protected trees. These include Arbutus, Garry oak, Pacific dogwood and Pacific yew, other large trees, and any tree 60 cm or more across. You need a tree cutting permit from the District. A bylaw notice for cutting a protected tree is $500 per tree.

## Garbage, recycling and waste

- [Saanich garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/garbage-collection.md): Saanich collects garbage and organics (green cart) every two weeks, on the same day. Blue Box recycling is run by the CRD, not Saanich. Find your day in the online collection calendar. Extra garbage bags need a $3 Saanich sticker, up to two per collection. The 2026 solid waste fee is $194.13 plus cart fees.
- [Saanich yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/yard-waste.md): In Saanich, yard waste goes in the green organics cart (collected every two weeks), or to the Yard and Garden Waste Drop-off at 1040 McKenzie Ave, open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A fall leaf collection also runs. No separate drop-off charge is stated.

## Water, sewer, roads and snow

- [Saanich watering restrictions](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/water-restrictions.md): Yes. The CRD's Stage 1 watering rules apply in Saanich every year from May 1 to September 30. Lawns: even-numbered addresses water Wednesday and Saturday; odd-numbered addresses Thursday and Sunday. Tickets are issued under CRD bylaws, not Saanich's.

## Pets, animals and wildlife

- [Saanich dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/dog-licence.md): In Saanich, every dog over four months old needs a licence from the District each calendar year. A spayed or neutered dog costs $25 if paid before February 1 ($30 after); a dog that is not costs $35 ($40 after). Saanich sets the fees, but CRD Animal Care Services enforces the rules.
- [Saanich dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/dog-leash-rules.md): In Saanich, a dog off your property must be under a person's control, and on a leash in public places unless the area is leash-optional. A leash must be non-extendable and no longer than 2.4 m. A dog running at large is a $150 bylaw notice or a $150 municipal ticket.
- [Saanich rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/dangerous-dogs.md): In Saanich, an Animal Control Officer can declare a dog dangerous or aggressive. Owners then face strict rules: a muzzle and leash in public, secure confinement at home, and a yearly fee of $150 (dangerous) or $75 (aggressive). Report a dog to CRD Animal Services at 250-478-0624.
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/how-many-pets.md): In Saanich you may keep no more than five dogs over four months old on any parcel. The same limit of five applies to cats over four months old, unless the parcel is larger than 2.02 ha (5 acres). More than five dogs without a permit is a $150 bylaw notice or municipal ticket.
- [Saanich backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/backyard-chickens.md): Yes. In Saanich you may keep up to five hens on a single-family or rural-zoned parcel between 557 m² and 1,114.8 m², if the flock is registered (free) and you live there. Roosters are not allowed in single-family zones. Bees and farm animals depend on lot size and zoning.

## Parking, tickets and driving

- [Saanich RV, boat and trailer parking rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md): In Saanich, no vehicle may stay parked on a street more than 72 hours, and a detached trailer may not be parked on any street or boulevard. Vehicles over 4,000 kg or 7.0 m long may not park on a street from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. The zoning sections we read set no limit for a licensed RV or boat on your own lot.

## Bylaws, noise and complaints

- [Saanich noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/noise-rules.md): Saanich's Noise Suppression Bylaw bans noise that disturbs the neighbourhood at any hour; it sets no fixed quiet hours for ordinary noise. Permitted building work is exempt from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. except Sundays. A bylaw notice is $300. Call Bylaw Enforcement at 250-475-5456.
- [Saanich unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/unsightly-property.md): In Saanich, owners and occupiers must not let property become unsightly, including overgrown grass, junk and unlicensed vehicles. Report it to Bylaw Enforcement at 250-475-5456 or bylaw@saanich.ca. An officer can order the owner to fix it within ten business days. A bylaw notice is $350.
- [Saanich backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/backyard-fire.md): No. In Saanich, open-air burning is banned unless the Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw allows it, including wood in a fire pit or outdoor fireplace. Propane, natural gas and charcoal cooking appliances are allowed. Garden refuse may be burned only outside the Urban Containment Boundary, October 16 to April 30.
- [Saanich fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/fireworks.md): Only in limited cases. In Saanich, people 18 or older with a permit may set off consumer fireworks on October 31, between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. They are banned in parks, on beaches, on highways and on school property, and nobody may sell fireworks in Saanich. Using them without a permit is a $300 ticket.
- [Saanich bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/bylaw-fines.md): Saanich uses two ticket systems side by side. A bylaw notice has an early-payment discount (usually $50) and a late surcharge; a municipal ticket is one fine within 30 days and a higher one after. Examples: parking over 72 hours $50, noise $300, unsightly property $350.

## Starting and running a business

- [Saanich business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/business-licence.md): Yes. All businesses operating in Saanich need a valid Saanich or Intermunicipal business licence. It runs January 1 to December 31. Apply online through a MySaanich account; there is no application fee. Most annual licences are $100.
- [Saanich home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/home-based-business.md): Usually yes. Saanich allows a home occupation in most zones if you meet the conditions in Zoning Bylaw s. 5.5, and you need a home-based business licence ($100 a year; $50 for home crafts). In apartment, townhouse and similar zones only office use and child daycare are allowed.

## Housing and renting

- [Saanich short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/short-term-rental.md): No. Saanich prohibits short-term rentals (under 30 consecutive days) in all zones and housing types, including a principal residence, suite or garden suite. A bed and breakfast in the owner's principal residence is allowed with a $100-a-year licence.

## Zoning

- [All 168 zones in Saanich, as JSON](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/zoning/index.json)
- Zone of an address: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/zoning/lookup?address=123+Main+St