# Gov Handbook: Smithers, British Columbia, Canada

> 21 answers about local government in Smithers. Hub page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/ · All answers as JSON: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/index.json · Full text: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/llms-full.txt

## Building, renovating and your property

- [Smithers building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/building-permit.md): In Smithers you need a Town building permit to build a structure over 10 m², alter or add to a building, install a wood stove or HVAC unit, build a retaining wall over 1.2 m, or demolish or move a building. Most permits are issued within 20 working days. Call Development Services at 250-847-1600.
- [Smithers fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/fence-rules.md): In Smithers a fence needs no building permit, but it must meet the Zoning Bylaw: 1.2 m maximum in the front yard setback in residential zones, 1.8 m at the sides and rear. A retaining wall over 1.2 m high does need a permit, and pools must be fenced.
- [Smithers permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/deck-shed-garage-permit.md): In Smithers a shed or other accessory building under 10 m² needs no building permit; larger ones do. A deck is exempt only if it is under 600 mm above grade, detached, and has no walls or roof. Garages and carports generally need a permit. Zoning rules apply either way.
- [Smithers building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/building-permit-fees.md): In Smithers a building permit costs $6.25 per $1,000 of construction value (up to $1,000,000; $5.50 per $1,000 above that), with an $80 minimum and an $80 application fee. Fees are in Schedule E of Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2003.
- [Smithers zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/zoning-lookup.md): In Smithers, find your zoning on the Zoning Map (Schedule A to Zoning Bylaw No. 1987) on the Town's OCP and Zoning page, or on the shared web map by address or PID. You can also call Development Services at 250-847-1600.
- [Smithers secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/secondary-suite.md): Yes. Smithers allows a secondary suite in single-detached, semi-detached and townhouse dwellings in the A-1, LDR-1, R-6 and R-7 zones, and a carriage house on a lot with a single-detached house. Both need a building permit, and one extra parking space each.
- [Smithers tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/tree-removal.md): In Smithers, no tree may be cut in a development permit area until a development permit is issued. In the Natural Environment and Hazardous Lands area a permit is needed to cut more than 2 trees a calendar year. The permit application fee is $30 for the first 3 trees.

## Garbage, recycling and waste

- [Smithers garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/garbage-collection.md): In Smithers, the Town collects garbage biweekly, alternating with biweekly recycling. Use the Collection Schedule calendar and route map on the Town website to find your day. Put your green cart out before 8:00 a.m. on collection day. A cart over 45 kg (100 lbs) will not be emptied.

## Water, sewer, roads and snow

- [Smithers watering restrictions](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/water-restrictions.md): In Smithers, Stage 1 water restrictions start automatically on April 15 each year if no stage is in force. Under Stage 1, water lawns only on even-numbered days at even street addresses and odd-numbered days at odd addresses. Stage 2 bans lawn watering. Check with the Town for the current stage.

## Pets, animals and wildlife

- [Smithers dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/dog-licence.md): In Smithers, every dog over four months old needs a licence from the Town. It costs $15 a year for a spayed or neutered dog and $50 for one that is not. Buy it in person at the Town Office, 1027 Aldous Street. Licences expire December 31.
- [Smithers dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/dog-leash-rules.md): In Smithers, a dog in a public place, including a park or school ground, must be on a leash held by a responsible person, and the leash may not be longer than 183 cm (6 feet). Dogs may run free only in designated off-leash areas, such as the small dog areas at Dogwood Park.
- [Smithers rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/dangerous-dogs.md): In Smithers, a dog an officer declares dangerous (it killed or seriously injured a person or animal, or is likely to) needs a $300 yearly licence, $1,000,000 liability insurance, a muzzle and a leash off property. An aggressive dog is $150 a year and must be confined at home.
- [Smithers backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/backyard-chickens.md): In Smithers you can keep up to 6 hens on a single-family lot over 550 m², in LDR-1 and R-6 zones (and A-1 or R-7 where accessory to agriculture). Flocks must be registered with the Town for $15. Roosters are not allowed. The sources read do not state a bee rule.

## Parking, tickets and driving

- [Smithers RV, boat and trailer parking rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md): In Smithers, no vehicle may be parked on a street for more than 24 continuous hours, and overnight street camping is prohibited. In residential zones, RVs, campers, trailers and boats may be stored long term only when completely on your parcel. You may not live in an RV outside a campground.

## Bylaws, noise and complaints

- [Smithers noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/noise-rules.md): In Smithers, no one may make or allow noise that disturbs the peace or comfort of people nearby. The Good Neighbour Bylaw sets no fixed quiet hours. Construction and landscaping work may not unreasonably disturb neighbours before 7 a.m. or after 10 p.m. Report noise to Bylaw Enforcement at 250-847-1600.
- [Smithers unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/unsightly-property.md): In Smithers, owners and occupiers must not let rubbish, overflowing garbage, dead landscaping, weeds or a derelict fence pile up. Report it online (request for service), by phone at 250-847-1600 or in person at the Town Office, 1027 Aldous Street. Bylaw officers can order the owner to fix it.
- [Smithers backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/backyard-fire.md): In Smithers, only small campfires used solely for cooking food, in a proper fire pit with cured wood, no larger than 0.5 m high by 0.5 m wide, are allowed. Recreational campfires, bonfires and burning yard waste are not permitted. Email fire@smithers.ca about land clearing burn permits.
- [Smithers bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/bylaw-fines.md): Smithers uses bylaw notices under its Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2011. Examples: dog at large $150, unlicensed dog $100, barking dog $150, burning without a permit $300, water restriction offence $400, overtime parking $60. Confirm the early and late payment timing with the Town.

## Starting and running a business

- [Smithers business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/business-licence.md): Yes. In Smithers anyone doing business within the Town, including out-of-town, seasonal and home-based businesses, needs a Town business licence. Most classes cost $165 a year. Apply with Development Services; approval typically takes 1 to 2 weeks if the application is complete.
- [Smithers home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/home-based-business.md): Yes. In Smithers a home occupation is allowed in a residential dwelling, inside the dwelling or a permitted auxiliary building, using no more than 40% of the dwelling's floor area. It needs a Town business licence (Home Occupation, $165 a year).

## Housing and renting

- [Smithers short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/short-term-rental.md): Yes, in Smithers you can run a short-term rental in your principal residence with a Town business licence and a provincial registration number. It is allowed in a suite, carriage house or part of a house (maximum 40% of a house's floor area). The yearly licence is $260 for part of a dwelling or $365 for a whole unit.

## Zoning

- [All 24 zones in Smithers, as JSON](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/zoning/index.json)
- Zone of an address: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/zoning/lookup?address=123+Main+St