# Gov Handbook: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

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

## Building, renovating and your property

- [Victoria building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/building-permit.md): In the City of Victoria you need a building permit before you build, alter, rebuild, demolish, remove or relocate a building or structure, or change its use. Check the City's Permit Finder, then apply online through eApply. The application fee is $100.
- [Victoria fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/fence-rules.md): A fence in the City of Victoria does not need a building permit, but zoning sets the height. On a lot with an existing residential use the limit is 1.22 m in the front yard and 1.83 m elsewhere. Barbed wire, razor wire and electrified fences are not allowed. Check which zoning bylaw covers your property.
- [Victoria permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/deck-shed-garage-permit.md): In the City of Victoria, the Building and Plumbing Regulation Bylaw does not apply to a platform less than 0.6 m above grade or an accessory building under 10 m², so those need no permit under it. Larger buildings fall under its permit rule. Zoning limits on size and location still apply.
- [Victoria building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/building-permit-fees.md): A City of Victoria building permit costs a $100 application fee plus a permit fee of 1.40% of the cost of construction, not counting plumbing and electrical. Plumbing is 1.40% of the plumbing cost plus $100. The City states no minimum permit fee.
- [Victoria zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/zoning-lookup.md): In the City of Victoria, select your property on VicMap to see its zone, then read that zone in the Zoning Bylaw. Two bylaws are in force for different properties, Zoning Bylaw 2018 and the older Zoning Regulation Bylaw, so check which applies to yours. Email zoning@victoria.ca if unsure.
- [Victoria secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/secondary-suite.md): Yes. The City of Victoria permits secondary suites in residential buildings and garden suites (its term for a carriage house) in the rear yard. Both need a building permit, plus plumbing and electrical permits. Rules differ between the City's two zoning bylaws, so check which covers your lot.
- [Victoria tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/tree-removal.md): In the City of Victoria you need a tree permit to cut, prune or remove a protected tree on private property. Protected trees include any tree over 30 cm across at chest height, plus Garry oak, arbutus, Pacific yew and Pacific dogwood over 50 cm tall. There is no fee for hazard or dead trees.

## Garbage, recycling and waste

- [Victoria garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/garbage-collection.md): The City of Victoria collects garbage (grey bin) and organics (green bin) from residential properties every two weeks. Have bins out and accessible by 7 a.m. Extra bags need a $4 extra-garbage ticket and must weigh under 15 kg. Look up your day on the City's Waste Collection page.
- [Victoria yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/yard-waste.md): The City of Victoria's current pages say grass clippings, pruning waste, plants and small branches go in the green bin, collected every two weeks. You can also drop yard waste at the Public Works Yard, 417 Garbally Road, on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The 2016 bylaw copy says otherwise; see below.

## Water, sewer, roads and snow

- [Victoria watering restrictions](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/water-restrictions.md): Yes. Under the Capital Regional District's Water Conservation Bylaw 4099, Stage 1 watering rules apply in Victoria every year from May 1 to September 30. Lawns can be watered two days a week, by street address, in the early morning or evening only. The CRD can bring in stricter stages at any time.

## Pets, animals and wildlife

- [Victoria dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/dog-licence.md): In the City of Victoria, every dog over four months old needs a City licence each year. A spayed or neutered dog costs $30 in January or February and $50 from March 1; a dog that is not costs $40, then $60. Renew online; a first licence must be bought in person.
- [Victoria dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/dog-leash-rules.md): In the City of Victoria a dog in a public place must be firmly held on a leash by a person able to restrain it. The exception is the 15 leash-optional park areas, at their set times only. The leash can be up to 2.4 metres, or a retractable lead up to 8 metres.
- [Victoria rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/dangerous-dogs.md): In the City of Victoria, an animal control officer can designate a dog dangerous if it bites a person or animal without provocation, or is known to attack. A dangerous dog must be leashed and muzzled in public, confined at home and posted with a warning sign. Report a dog to 250-414-0233.
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Victoria](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/how-many-pets.md): In the City of Victoria you may keep no more than six dogs and cats in total on one lot; dogs and cats count together. Dogs and cats under 12 weeks old are not counted. Rabbits, guinea pigs and poultry have their own limits.
- [Victoria backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/backyard-chickens.md): In the City of Victoria you may keep chickens on the lot where you live, up to fifteen female chickens or other poultry combined. Roosters are not allowed. Bees are allowed under set rules. Farm animals and peafowl may not be kept, with limited exceptions.

## Parking, tickets and driving

- [Victoria RV, boat and trailer parking rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md): In the City of Victoria, a motor home, camper truck, recreational trailer or boat on a trailer owned by someone with a Capital Regional District address may not be parked on a street between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. A trailer may not be left on a street unless attached to a vehicle or permitted.

## Bylaws, noise and complaints

- [Victoria noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/noise-rules.md): Victoria's Noise Bylaw 03-012 has no single quiet-hours rule. It bans noise that disturbs neighbours and sets lower decibel limits at "nighttime", which means outside daytime. Daytime is 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.
- [Victoria unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/unsightly-property.md): Report it on the City of Victoria's online Report a Bylaw Violation form. The Property Maintenance Bylaw 07-050 bans accumulated refuse, unsightly property and unkempt weeds. After written notice, the City can do the work itself at the owner's expense if it is not done within 14 days.
- [Victoria backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/backyard-fire.md): Not without a permit. In the City of Victoria, any open-air fire, including in a chiminea or outdoor fireplace, needs a permit from the Fire Chief, and permits are only for certain purposes. Burning yard waste also needs one. Cooking barbecues and approved gas appliances are not covered.
- [Victoria fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/fireworks.md): Only with a permit. Under Victoria's Fireworks Bylaw 07-070, nobody may fire fireworks without a permit from the Fire Chief, and the bylaw sets no dates or hours for residents. Possessing them also needs a permit, and only wholesalers may sell them. The fine is $400.
- [Victoria bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/bylaw-fines.md): The City of Victoria issues two kinds of bylaw ticket. A bylaw notice (Bylaw 16-017) is for minor offences with fines up to $500; a municipal ticket (Bylaw 10-071) is for fines up to $3,000. Examples of the amounts: $350 for noise disturbing neighbours, $250 for open-air burning.

## Starting and running a business

- [Victoria business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/business-licence.md): Yes. Every business in the City of Victoria needs a City business licence. Send the application and supporting documents to Business Licences by email, in person at City Hall or by mail. Approval takes about 10 working days. A business not otherwise named pays $100 a year.
- [Victoria home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/home-based-business.md): Often yes. In the City of Victoria a home business is allowed as a "home occupation" and needs a City business licence; the fee is $100 a year. Zoning Bylaw 2018 and Schedule D of the older Zoning Regulation Bylaw set the conditions, depending on which covers your property.

## Housing and renting

- [Victoria short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/short-term-rental.md): In the City of Victoria you can rent only your principal residence, for under 30 nights, with a City short-term rental business licence ($150 a year) and a provincial registration. While you are home you may rent up to two bedrooms; while away, the whole home for up to 160 nights a year.

## Zoning

- [All 145 zones in Victoria, as JSON](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/zoning/index.json)
- Zone of an address: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/zoning/lookup?address=123+Main+St