# Gov Handbook: Sidney, British Columbia, Canada

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

## Building, renovating and your property

- [Sidney building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/building-permit.md): In Sidney you need a building permit before you excavate, build, repair or alter a building or structure. Minor non-structural repairs and maintenance, such as painting or re-roofing, do not need one. Apply through Development Services (250-656-1725, developmentservices@sidney.ca).
- [Sidney fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/fence-rules.md): In Sidney a fence can be up to 1.8 m high in most yards and 1.2 m in a front or exterior side yard. The Town's guides and fee schedule treat a fence as needing a $50 building permit, but the bylaw names only a pool-fence permit, so confirm with Development Services.
- [Sidney permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/deck-shed-garage-permit.md): In Sidney a deck, garage or carport needs a building permit. For sheds the Town's sheets differ: over 10 m², over 107 ft², or 100 sq ft or more, and the bylaw itself gives no size. Confirm with Development Services (250-656-1725) before you build.
- [Sidney building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/building-permit-fees.md): In Sidney the building permit fee is $100 for work valued at $1,000 or less, rising with the value of the work. A plan processing fee of $50 (work under $100,000) is also paid when you apply. Rates are in Appendix A of Building Regulations Bylaw No. 2016.
- [Sidney zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/zoning-lookup.md): In Sidney, use SidneyMap (the Town's interactive web map) or the Zoning Map PDF to find your property's zone, then read the Zoning Bylaw No. 2275 for what is allowed. Development Services (250-656-1725) can confirm.
- [Sidney secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/secondary-suite.md): In Sidney secondary suites are allowed in the R1, R2 and R3 zones (not R4), and since July 1, 2024 those lots can hold 3 or 4 dwelling units in various forms, including garden suites. A building permit is required to create or legalize a suite. A garage or shed itself cannot be lived in.
- [Sidney tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/tree-removal.md): In Sidney you need a permit to cut, remove or damage a protected tree anywhere in the Town, and to prune it beyond set limits. The fee is $250 for the first tree and $50 for each additional tree. Cutting one without a permit can bring a $1,000 municipal ticket.

## Garbage, recycling and waste

- [Sidney garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/garbage-collection.md): In Sidney, the Town's contractor (Emterra) collects garbage and kitchen organics weekly at the curb. The Capital Regional District (CRD) runs Blue Box recycling, biweekly on Mondays. Full Service costs $64 per unit per quarter. Find your day on the Town's zone map.
- [Sidney yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/yard-waste.md): In Sidney, homes on Full Service get curbside yard waste pickup in lidless rigid cans or craft paper bags. Bylaw 2259 says both twice a month and monthly, so confirm your schedule with the Town. It is included in the $64 quarterly Full Service charge.

## Water, sewer, roads and snow

- [Sidney watering restrictions](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/water-restrictions.md): In Sidney, the Capital Regional District (CRD) sets watering rules under its Water Conservation Bylaw. Stage 1 applies every year from May 1 to September 30: even-numbered addresses water lawns Wednesdays and Saturdays, odd-numbered addresses Thursdays and Sundays. The ticket is $200.

## Pets, animals and wildlife

- [Sidney dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/dog-licence.md): In Sidney, the Town issues dog licences; the Capital Regional District (CRD) handles animal control. A licence runs for the calendar year. It costs $35 for a spayed or neutered dog and $45 for one that is not, each $5 less if paid by the last working day in February.
- [Sidney dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/dog-leash-rules.md): In Sidney, a dog must be under a competent person's control on a leash no longer than 6 feet (1.83 m). The Town says dogs must be on leash in all public places except Peter Grant Park. A bylaw notice for a dog at large is $130; a municipal ticket is $130.
- [Sidney rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/dangerous-dogs.md): In Sidney, an Animal Control Officer designates a dog aggressive or dangerous under the Town's Animal Licence and Control Bylaw. Owners must leash, confine and (for dangerous dogs) muzzle the dog, and pay an extra licence fee of $75 (aggressive) or $100 (dangerous). Report problem dogs to CRD Animal Control, 250-478-0624.
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Sidney](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/how-many-pets.md): In Sidney you can keep no more than four dogs and four cats on a parcel of land. Hens (up to five, with a permit) are the only farm-type animal allowed. A bylaw notice for going over the limit is $130; a municipal ticket is $130.
- [Sidney backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/backyard-chickens.md): In Sidney you can keep up to five hens with a Town Hen-Keeping Permit (), on a single-family property of at least 550 m². Roosters, other poultry, rabbits and farm animals are not allowed. Bees are allowed only on parcels over 750 m², up to two hives.

## Parking, tickets and driving

- [Sidney RV, boat and trailer parking rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md): In Sidney, no vehicle may stay parked on a street or public property for more than 24 consecutive hours, and no one may sleep or live in a vehicle or trailer on a street. The bylaws read do not say where RVs, boats or trailers may be kept on your own lot; ask the Town.

## Bylaws, noise and complaints

- [Sidney noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/noise-rules.md): Sidney's Noise Control Bylaw bans noise that disturbs the neighbourhood at any hour and sets no fixed quiet hours for ordinary noise. Construction is limited to Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A noise ticket is $390. Report to Bylaw Enforcement at 250-544-4743.
- [Sidney unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/unsightly-property.md): In Sidney, report an unsightly property through the online Bylaw Complaint Form on the Town's Bylaw Enforcement page. Under the Unsightly Premises Bylaw, an officer can order a cleanup within 14 days. The ticket is $390.
- [Sidney backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/backyard-fire.md): No. Sidney does not allow open burning, including wood-burning fires and beach fires. The Fire Department says propane and charcoal fire pits are permitted. A bylaw notice for prohibited burning is $325; a municipal ticket is $325.
- [Sidney fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/fireworks.md): In Sidney you may not store, possess or set off fireworks without a Fireworks Permit from the Fire Chief. Permits are issued only for 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on October 31, or for a fireworks event on other dates. A Family Fireworks Permit is $10. Firecrackers are banned.
- [Sidney bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/bylaw-fines.md): Sidney has two ticket systems side by side: bylaw notices (Bylaw No. 2239) and municipal tickets (Bylaw No. 2180). Examples are $130 for an unlicensed dog or dog at large, $390 for noise or unsightly property, and $325 for prohibited burning. Early payment lowers each.

## Starting and running a business

- [Sidney business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/business-licence.md): Anyone carrying on a business in Sidney needs a Town business licence unless exempt. Most commercial, industrial, home occupation and non-resident licences are $100 a year. Apply through the Town's eApply portal or email licensing@sidney.ca.
- [Sidney home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/home-based-business.md): In Sidney you can run a home occupation as a conditional use if it stays incidental to the dwelling and meets the zoning limits. You need a business licence: $50 for a minor home occupation, $100 for a home occupation. No retail sales or outdoor storage.

## Housing and renting

- [Sidney short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/short-term-rental.md): In Sidney you can run a short term rental (under 90 consecutive days) only in your principal residence, with no more than two bedrooms and two adults per bedroom. You need a Town business licence ($200 a year) and must be on the Province's registry.

## Zoning

- [All 31 zones in Sidney, as JSON](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/zoning/index.json)
- Zone of an address: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/zoning/lookup?address=123+Main+St