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This Act is current to December 31, 2024
See the Tables of Legislative Changes for this Act’s legislative history, including any changes not in force.

Local Government Act

[RSBC 2015] CHAPTER 1

Deposited with Clerk of the Legislative Assembly on December 16, 2015

Contents
Part 1 — Purposes and Interpretation
1Purposes of this Act
2Definitions and other interpretation rules
Part 2 — Incorporation of Municipalities and Regional Districts
Division 1 — Municipal Incorporation Process
3Incorporation of new municipality
4Vote required for incorporation of new municipality
5Procedure and costs for vote on incorporation
6Incorporation of island municipality in Islands Trust area
7Incorporation of municipality in conjunction with resource development
8Incorporation of mountain resort municipality
9Incorporation of reserve residents as village
Division 2 — Classification of Municipalities
10Classification of municipalities
11Change of municipal classification
Division 3 — Municipal Boundary Changes
12Extension of municipal area
13Reduction of municipal area
14Reduction of municipal area in relation to final agreement respecting treaty lands
15Redefinition of adjoining municipalities
16Other redefinition of boundaries
Division 4 — Specific Powers in Relation to Municipal Letters Patent
17What must be included in letters patent incorporating a municipality
18First election for municipality
19First council and neighbourhood constituencies
20First regular council meeting
21Letters patent incorporating a municipality: other general powers
22Additional powers where former municipality dissolved when new municipality incorporated
23Letters patent for island municipality: additional powers
24Letters patent for resource development municipality: additional powers
25Letters patent for mountain resort municipality: additional powers
26Letters patent for reserve village: additional powers
27Authority for variation of proposed boundaries
28Appointment of additional councillors if boundary extended
29Establishment of property tax rate limits
30Municipal revenue sharing
31Establishment of local area service
32Advisory body for municipality
33Letters patent for municipality: additional powers
Division 5 — Municipal Incorporation or Boundary Changes: Related Matters
34Bylaws that apply to new municipality or extend to additional area
35Interim corporate officer
36Collection of taxes in relation to municipal boundary changes
37Transfer of Provincial property tax money if rural land included in municipality
38Dissolution of municipality
39Rights and liabilities not affected by reissue of letters patent
40Existing licences preserved
Division 6 — Regional District Incorporation and Related Matters
41Incorporation of new regional district
42Extension of regional district boundaries
43Regional district amalgamation, division and reorganization
44Creation or restructure of municipality in regional district
45Dissolution of community planning area or improvement district in regional district
46Regional district letters patent and orders: additional powers
Part 3 — Electors and Elections
Division 1 — General
47Definitions in relation to this Part
48Time not extended for voting days
49This Act prevails in relation to use of information
50Public notice requirements
51Solemn declarations
Division 2 — Arrangements for Elections
52General local elections every 4 years
53Municipal elections at large unless neighbourhood constituency established
54By-elections
55Minister may arrange for election to be conducted
56Election bylaws
57Costs of elections
Division 3 — Election Officials Appointment and Authority
58Appointment of election officials
59Chief election officer duties and powers
60Presiding election official duties and powers
61Keeping order at election proceedings
62Adjournment of election proceedings
63Exceptional assistance in election proceedings
Division 4 — Electors and Registration of Electors
64Who may vote at an election
65Resident electors
66Non-resident property electors
67Rules for determining residence
68When a person may register as an elector
69Voting day registration only
70Application for registration
71How to register in advance
72How to register as a resident elector at the time of voting
73How to register as a non-resident property elector at the time of voting
74Effect of registration
75Register of electors
76Provincial list of voters as register of resident electors
77List of registered electors
78Protection of privacy
79Objection to elector registration
80Resolving objections to registration
Division 5 — Qualifications for Office
81Who may hold office on a local government
82Disqualification of local government employees
82.1Disqualification — indictable offence
83Only one elected office at a time in the same local government
Division 6 — Nomination of Candidates
84Nomination period
85Notice of nomination
86Nomination of candidates
87Nomination documents
88Nomination deposits
89Nomination by delivery of nomination documents
90Other information to be provided by candidate
91Challenge of nomination
Division 7 — Candidate Endorsement by Elector Organization
92Candidate endorsement by elector organization may be included on ballot
93Endorsement documents
94Repealed
95Withdrawal of endorsement on ballot
96Repealed
Division 8 — Declaration of Candidates
97Declaration of candidates
98Declaration of election by voting or acclamation
99Notice of election by voting
100Appointment if insufficient number of candidates are elected
Division 9 — Candidates and Representatives
101Withdrawal, death or incapacity of candidate
102Appointment of candidate representatives
103Presence of candidate representatives at election proceedings
Division 10 — Voting Opportunities
104Voting opportunities for electors
105Required general voting opportunities
106Additional general voting opportunities
107Required advance voting opportunities
108Additional advance voting opportunities
109Special voting opportunities
110Mail ballot voting
Division 11 — Arrangements for Voting
111Voting places
112Use of voting machines
113Municipal voting divisions
114Form of ballots
115What must and must not be included on a ballot
116Order of names on ballot
117Order of names on ballot determined by lot
118Ballot boxes
Division 12 — Conduct of Voting Proceedings
119Persons who must be present at voting places
120Persons who may be present at voting places
121Sealing of ballot boxes containing ballots
122Time for voting extended
Division 13 — Voting
123Voting to be by secret ballot
124Each elector may vote only once
125Requirements before elector may be given a ballot
126Challenge of elector
127If another person has already voted under an elector's name
128Replacement of spoiled ballot
129How to vote by ballot
130One person to a voting compartment
131Persons needing assistance to mark their ballots
132Persons unable to enter a voting place
Division 14 — Counting of the Votes
133When and where counting is to be done
134Who may be present at counting
135Who does the counting
136Opening of ballot boxes
137Combination of ballots for counting
138Procedures for counting
139Rules for accepting votes and rejecting ballots
140Objections to the acceptance of a vote or the rejection of a ballot
141Ballot account
142Packaging of ballots
143Delivery of election materials to chief election officer
144Preliminary election results
145Determination of official election results
146Declaration of official election results
147When elected candidates may take office
Division 15 — Judicial Recount
148Application for judicial recount
149Judicial recount procedure
150Results of judicial recount and orders as to costs
151Determination of results by lot if tie vote after judicial recount
152Runoff election if tie vote after judicial recount
Division 16 — Declaration of Invalid Election
153Application to court respecting validity of election
154Hearing of application
155Power of court on application
156Legal costs of application
157Status of elected candidate
Division 17 — Final Proceedings
158Report of election results
159Publication of election results
160Retention and destruction of election materials
Division 17.1 — Canvassing
160.1Canvassing in housing cooperative, strata and rental properties
Division 18 — Election Offences
161Vote buying
162Intimidation
163Other election offences
164Prosecution of organizations and their directors and agents
165Time limit for starting prosecution
166Penalties
Division 19 — Orders and Regulations
167Ministerial orders in special circumstances
167.1Regulations respecting elections in special circumstances
168Election regulations
Part 4 — Assent Voting
Division 1 — General
169Definitions in relation to this Part
170Assent voting to be conducted in same manner as election
171How assent of the electors is obtained
Division 2 — Proceedings for Assent Voting
172Who may vote at assent voting
173Person may vote only once
174General voting day for assent voting
175Arrangements for assent voting
176Notice of assent voting
177Ballots for assent voting
178When counting for assent voting is to be done
179Special procedures if voting is conducted by more than one local government
180Other general matters
Division 3 — Scrutineers for Assent Voting
181Scrutineers for the question and scrutineers against the question
182Notice of applications to volunteer as scrutineer
183Applications to volunteer to act as scrutineer for assent voting
184Appointment of scrutineers for assent voting
Part 5 — Regional Districts: Purposes, Principles and Interpretation
185Purposes of regional districts
186Principles for regional district-provincial relations
187Broad interpretation
188Application of municipal provisions to regional districts
189References to regional district officers
190Continuation of regional districts
191Continuation of regional parks and trails
192Continuation of regulatory authority restrictions in relation to previous bylaws
Part 6 — Regional Districts: Governance and Procedures
Division 1 — Regional Districts and Their Boards
193Regional district corporations
194Board as governing body
195Area of jurisdiction
Division 2 — Board Members
196Composition and voting rights
197Municipal directors: number of directors and assignment of votes
198Appointment and term of office for municipal directors
199Election and term of office for electoral area directors
200Alternate directors: municipalities
201Alternate directors: electoral areas
202Oath or affirmation of office for board members
203Resignation from office
204Director disqualification for failure to attend meetings
205Regional district directors: application of Community Charter
Division 3 — Voting and Voting Rights
206Voting to be in accordance with this Division unless other rules apply
207General rules: voting on resolutions and bylaws
208General rule: each director has one vote
209Special rule: weighted voting on the administration and operation of services
210Special rule: weighted voting on financial matters
211Special rule: weighted voting for Metro Vancouver
212Special rules in relation to Part 13 [Regional Growth Strategies]
213Special rules in relation to Part 14 [Planning and Land Use Management]
214Other special voting rules
Division 4 — Board Chair and Committees
215Chair and vice chair of board
216Responsibilities of chair
217Chair may require board reconsideration of a matter
218Appointment of select and standing committees
Division 5 — Board Proceedings
219Regular and special board meetings
220Calling of special board meetings
221Electronic meetings and participation by members
222Regulations establishing special rules for dealing with urgent issues
223Minutes of board meetings and committee meetings
224Meetings and hearings outside regional district
225Procedure bylaws
226Board proceedings: application of Community Charter
Division 5.1 — Proceedings of Other Bodies
226.1Electronic meetings of other bodies
226.2Electronic participation of members of other bodies
Division 6 — Bylaw Procedures
227Bylaw procedures: application of Community Charter
228Bylaw adoption at same meeting as third reading
Division 7 — Delegation of Board Authority
229Delegation of board authority
230Bylaw required for delegation
231Delegation of hearings
232Reconsideration of delegate's decisions
Division 8 — Officers and Employees
233Officers and employees for regional district
234Officer positions
235Chief administrative officer
236Corporate administration
237Financial administration
238Oath of office for officers
239Chair to direct and inspect officers and employees
240Suspension of officers and employees
241Termination of officer
242Prohibition against interfering with regional district officials
Division 9 — Local Community Commissions
243Establishment of local community commissions
244Requirement for assent of electors and inspector approval
245Commission membership
Division 10 — Other Matters
246Giving notice to regional districts
247Notice by regional district: obligation satisfied if reasonable effort made
248Regional district records: application of Community Charter
249Regulations to provide exemptions from Provincial approval requirements
Part 7 — Regional Districts: Treaty First Nation Membership and Services
250Treaty first nation membership in regional district
251Interpretation rules for applying this Act and the Community Charter in relation to treaty first nation membership
252Regional district letters patent and treaty lands
253Treaty first nation directors
254Term of office of treaty first nation director
255Alternate treaty first nation director
256Treaty first nation electors for regional district services
257Tax base, requisition and collection of funds for treaty lands
258Tax base, requisition and collection of funds for treaty lands of taxing treaty first nations
259Treaty first nations and regional district financing
260Services to treaty first nation members
261Services to treaty lands outside regional district
262Non-member treaty first nation participation in regional district elections
Part 8 — Regional Districts: General Powers and Responsibilities
Division 1 — General Powers
263Corporate powers
264Minister approval required for certain out-of-Province or out-of-country agreements
265Inspector approval required for incorporation or acquisition of corporations
Division 2 — Public Access to Records
266Public access to regional district records
267Disclosure of information relating to agreements that require elector approval or assent
268Other public access requirements: application of Community Charter
Division 3 — Approval of the Electors
269Processes for obtaining approval of the electors
270Approval of the electors: applicable rules
Division 4 — Providing Assistance
271Definition of "assistance"
272Publication of intention to provide certain kinds of assistance
273General prohibition against assistance to business
274Exception for assistance under partnering agreements
275Exception for assistance in relation to utilities, mountain resorts or high-speed internet services
276Exception for heritage conservation purposes
277Limitation on assistance by means of tax exemption
Division 5 — General Property Powers
278Reservation and dedication of land for public purpose: application of Community Charter
279Control of Crown land parks dedicated by subdivision
280Disposition of regional parks and trails
281Exchange of park land: application of Community Charter
282Power to accept property on trust
283Plans respecting use of local government right of way
284Authority to enter on or into property: application of Community Charter
Division 6 — Disposing of Land and Improvements
285Disposition of land and improvements
286Notice of proposed disposition
287Use of money from sale of land or improvements
288Disposal of water systems, sewer systems and utilities
Division 7 — Expropriation and Compensation
289Expropriation power
290Authority in relation to services
291Entry on land to mitigate damage
292Compensation for expropriation and other actions
Division 8 — Other Powers
293Board may seek regional district opinion
294Incidental powers
295Emergency powers
296Additional powers and exceptions provided by regulation
Part 9 — Regional Districts: Specific Service Powers
Division 1 — Building Regulation
297Authority requires regional district service
298Building regulation bylaws
299Regional district may adopt national codes
300Requirement for security
301Regulating doors and emergency exits in public buildings
302Building regulation: application of Community Charter
Division 2 — Fire, Health and Hazard Protection
303Special fire protection powers
304Health protection authority
305Remedial authority in relation to hazardous conditions
Division 3 — Drainage, Sewerage and Related Matters
306Special drainage and sewerage authority
307Watercourse may be included in drainage system
308Works for controlling drainage
309Remedial authority in relation to drainage and dikes
310Highway construction and dikes
311Watercourse agreements between neighbouring jurisdictions
312Requirements respecting drainage works
313Appropriation of stream channel or bed
314Authority subject to Water Sustainability Act
Division 4 — Waste Management
315Management of solid waste and recyclable material
316Authority in relation to waste disposal and recycling
Division 5 — Regulation of Animals
317Authority requires animal control service
318General animal control powers
319Dog licensing requirements
320Animal pounds
321Dangerous dogs
322Peace officer authority in relation to dangerous dogs
Division 6 — Noise, Nuisances and Disturbances
323Authority requires regional district service
324Noise control
325Nuisances and disturbances
326Fireworks restrictions
Division 6.1 — Business Regulation
326.1Bylaw authority in relation to business regulation
Division 7 — Other Specific Service Powers
327Removal and deposit of sand, gravel and other soil
328Fire and security alarm systems
329House numbering
330Regulation of signs and advertising
331Regional district irrigation services
Part 10 — Regional Districts: Service Structure and Establishing Bylaws
Division 1 — General Service Powers
332General authority for services
333Consent required for services outside regional district
334Services to public authorities
335Authorities in relation to services other than regulatory services
Division 2 — Referendums and Petitions for Services
336Referendums regarding services
337Petitions for electoral area services
Division 3 — Establishing Bylaws for Services
338Establishing bylaws required for most services
339Required content for establishing bylaws
340Special options for establishing bylaws
341Special rules in relation to continuation of older services
Division 4 — Approval of Establishing Bylaws
342Approval of establishing bylaws
343Responsibility for obtaining approval
344Approval by assent of the electors
345Approval by alternative approval process
346Consent on behalf of municipal participating area
347Consent on behalf of electoral participating area
348Other procedural rules
Division 5 — Changes to Establishing Bylaws
349Amendment or repeal of establishing bylaws
350Changes to participating and service areas
351Amending bylaws that are needed for authority to borrow
352Special provisions respecting service withdrawal
Division 6 — Dispute Resolution in Relation to Services
353Definitions in relation to this Division
354Minister may appoint facilitators
355Parties to a service review or service withdrawal
356Costs of service review or service withdrawal
357Initiating a service review
358Other issues and services may be dealt with in one service review
359Preliminary meeting
360Negotiations to resolve issues
361Initiating service withdrawal
362Minister's direction on process
363Addition of further initiating participants or further services
364Early termination of process
365Mediation in relation to service withdrawal
366Arbitration in relation to service withdrawal
367Initiating participant must respond to final resolution
368Direction to further arbitration in certain cases
369When final resolution becomes binding
370Implementation of final resolution by bylaw
371Failure to adopt required bylaws
372Regulations respecting arbitrations
Part 11 — Regional Districts: Financial Management
Division 1 — Financial Planning and Accountability
373Fiscal year and accounting for services
374Annual financial plan
375Public process for development of financial plan
376Annual reporting on regional district finances
377Financial management: application of Community Charter
Division 2 — Cost Recovery for Services
378Options for cost recovery
379Costs of services
380Apportionment of costs
381Cost sharing for services under Part 14 [Planning and Land Use Management]
382Property under creditor protection may be excluded from apportionment
383Valuation information and apportionment adjustments
384Tax base for property value taxes
Division 3 — Requisition and Tax Collection
385Requisition of funds from municipalities
386Collection in municipalities
387Requisition of funds for electoral areas
388Collection in electoral areas
389Grants in place of taxes to be paid over to regional district
Division 4 — Tax Rates and Exemptions
390Variable tax rate system
391Property tax exemptions
392Exemptions for heritage properties
393Repayment requirement in relation to heritage exemptions
394Exemptions for riparian property
395Repayment requirement in relation to riparian exemptions
396Tax exemptions under partnering agreement
Division 5 — Fees, Charges and Interest
397Imposition of fees and charges
398Interest calculation
399Special fees and charges that are to be collected as taxes
400Special fees and charges that are liens against property
Division 6 — Expenditures and Liabilities
401Limit on expenditures
402Limit on borrowing and other liabilities
403Borrowing and liability: application of Community Charter
404Revenue anticipation borrowing
405Short-term capital borrowing in relation to general administration
406Regional district loan authorization bylaws
407Participating area approval required for some loan authorization bylaws
408Electoral participating area petition for borrowing
409Temporary borrowing under loan authorization bylaw
410Financing municipal undertakings
411Security issuing bylaws
412General liability provisions
Part 12 — Regional Districts: Bylaw Enforcement and Challenge of Bylaws
Division 1 — Bylaw Enforcement and Related Matters
413Bylaw enforcement: fines and other penalties
414Ticketing for bylaw offences: application of Community Charter
415Bylaw notices: application of Local Government Bylaw Notice Enforcement Act
416Bylaw contraventions — offences and prosecutions
417Additional sentencing powers in relation to Offence Act prosecutions
418Authority to fulfill requirements at defaulter's expense
419Inspections to determine whether bylaws are being followed
420Enforcement by civil proceedings: application of Community Charter
421Recovery of utility rates by legal remedy of distress
422Scale of costs in relation to legal remedy of distress
423Enforcement of bylaws in relation to discharge of firearms
424Entry warrants: application of Community Charter
Division 2 — Challenge of Bylaws and Other Regional District Instruments
425Challenge of bylaws and other regional district instruments
Part 13 — Regional Growth Strategies
Division 1 — Interpretation
426Definitions in relation to this Part
427Part also applies to amendment and repeal of regional growth strategy
Division 2 — Application and Content of Regional Growth Strategy
428Purpose of regional growth strategy
429Content of regional growth strategy
430Area to which regional growth strategy applies
431Regulation requiring regional growth strategy
Division 3 — Preparation and Adoption Procedures
432Requirements for adoption
433Initiation of regional growth strategy process
434Consultation during development of regional growth strategy
435Facilitation of agreement during development of regional growth strategy
436Acceptance by affected local governments
437Minor amendments to regional growth strategies
438Resolution of anticipated objections
439Resolution of refusal to accept
440Settlement of regional growth strategy if acceptance not otherwise reached
441Options for settlement process
442General provisions regarding settlement process
443Adoption of regional growth strategy
444Requirement to adopt finalized regional growth strategy
Division 4 — Effect of Regional Growth Strategy
445Regional district must conform with regional growth strategy
Division 5 — Regional Context Statements
446Requirement for regional context statements in municipal official community plans
447Content of regional context statement
448Board acceptance of proposed regional context statement
449Settlement of proposed regional context statement
Division 6 — General
450Intergovernmental advisory committees
451Implementation agreements
452Regular reports and review of regional growth strategy
453Provincial policy guidelines
454Minister may require official community plans and land use bylaws
Part 14 — Planning and Land Use Management
Division 1 — General
455Definitions in relation to this Part
456Area of authority for municipalities and regional districts
457Rural land use bylaws
457.1Limits on use of this Part and Part 15
458Limit on compensation
Division 2 — Responsibilities, Procedures and Authorities
459Information that must be available to the public
460Development approval procedures
461Advisory planning commission
462Fees related to applications and inspections
463Withholding building permits and business licences that conflict with bylaws in preparation
Division 3 — Public Hearings on Planning and Land Use Bylaws
464When public hearing is required
465Public hearing procedures
466Notice of public hearing
467Notice if public hearing not held
468Posted notices respecting proposed bylaws
469Delegation of public hearings
470Procedure after public hearing
Division 4 — Official Community Plans
471Purposes of official community plan
472Bylaw to adopt official community plan
473Content and process requirements
473.1Official community plan and housing needs report
474Policy statements that may be included
475Consultation during development of official community plan
476Consultation on planning for school facilities
477Adoption procedures for official community plan
478Effect of official community plan
Division 5 — Zoning Bylaws
478.1Definitions in relation to this Division
479Zoning bylaws
480Adoption of municipal zoning bylaw
481Restrictions on zoning authority in relation to farming
481.01Restrictions on zoning authority in relation to transit-oriented areas
481.1Residential rental tenure
481.2Strata rental bylaws and housing cooperative rules
481.3Zoning bylaws and small-scale multi-family housing
481.4Exemptions related to small-scale multi-family housing
481.5Density benefits related to small-scale multi-family housing
481.6Regulations related to small-scale multi-family housing
481.7Zoning bylaws and housing needs report
481.8Density benefits and housing needs report
482Density benefits for amenities, affordable housing and special needs housing
482.1Consultation on density benefits zoning bylaw
482.2Analysis and considerations for density benefits zoning bylaw
482.3Payment of money instead of meeting conditions
482.4Providing affordable and special needs housing units elsewhere
482.5Effect of bylaws adopted after application for rezoning, development permit or building permit submitted
482.6Annual report respecting density benefits zoning bylaw
482.7Zoning bylaws and affordable and special needs housing
482.8Consultation on affordable and special needs housing zoning bylaw
482.9Analysis and considerations for affordable and special needs housing zoning bylaw
482.91Payment of money instead of providing affordable and special needs housing units
482.92Providing affordable and special needs housing units elsewhere
482.93Effect of bylaws adopted after application for rezoning, development permit or building permit submitted
482.94Annual report respecting affordable and special needs housing zoning bylaw
482.95Information requested by inspector
483Housing agreements for affordable housing and special needs housing
Division 6 — Development Approval Information Requirements
484Development approval information
485Development approval information areas or circumstances
486Bylaw authority in relation to development approval information
487Requirement to provide development approval information
Division 7 — Development Permits
488Designation of development permit areas
489Activities that require a development permit
490Development permits: general authority
491Development permits: specific authorities
Division 8 — Temporary Use Permits
492Designation of temporary use permit areas
493Temporary use permits for designated areas and other areas
494Public notice and hearing requirements
495Permit conditions: undertakings respecting land
496Permit conditions: additional security requirements
497Term of permit and renewal of permit
Division 9 — Development Variance Permits
498Development variance permits
498.1Delegation of power to issue development variance permit
499Notice to affected property owners and tenants
Division 10 — Other Permits and Permit Matters
500Tree cutting permits in relation to areas affected by flooding or other hazards
501General land use permit matters
502Requirement for security as condition of land use permit
503Notice of permit on land title
504Permit lapses if relevant construction not substantially started
505Transportation Act: permits in relation to development near controlled access highway
Division 11 — Subdivision and Development: Requirements and Related Matters
506Works and services requirements
506.01Required approval for certain bylaws
506.02Requirements in respect of certain systems
506.03Conditions for subdivision and building permits
507Requirements for excess or extended services
508Latecomer charges and cost recovery for excess or extended services
509Completion of required works and services
510Requirement for provision of park land or payment for parks purposes
511Bylaws adopted after application for subdivision submitted
512Minimum parcel frontage on highway
513Requirement to provide land for new highway or widening existing highway in respect of subdivisions
513.1Requirement to provide land for alternative forms of transportation in respect of subdivisions
513.2Requirement to provide land for new highway or widening existing highway in respect of building permits
513.3Requirement to provide land for alternative forms of transportation in respect of building permits
514Subdivision to provide residence for a relative
Division 12 — Phased Development Agreements
515Definitions in relation to this Division
516Phased development agreements
517Term and assignment of phased development agreement
518Process for phased development agreement bylaw
519Amendments to phased development agreement
520Subdivision approval for land subject to phased development agreement
521Notice of phased development agreement on land title
522Phased development agreement and other information that must be available for public inspection
Division 13 — Other Land Use Regulation Powers
523Runoff control requirements
524Requirements in relation to flood plain areas
525Off-street parking and loading space requirements
525.1Off-street parking in transit-oriented areas
526Regulation of signs
527Screening and landscaping to mask or separate uses
527.1Transportation demand management
Division 14 — Non-conforming Use and Other Continuations
528Non-conforming uses: authority to continue use
529Non-conforming structures: restrictions on maintenance, extension and alteration
530Restrictions on increasing non-conforming use of land
531Restrictions on alteration or addition to building or other structure
532Restrictions on repair or reconstruction of non-conforming structures
533Non-conforming uses in relation to terminated land use contracts
534Change in ownership, tenants or occupants in relation to use
535Non-conforming use and subdivision in relation to expropriation of land
Division 14.1 — Non-conforming Form of Tenure
535.1Non-conforming form of tenure: authority to continue tenure
535.2Non-conforming form of tenure: repair, extension and alteration
535.3Change in ownership, tenants or occupants in relation to form of tenure
535.4Dissolution of strata corporations
535.5Regulation-making powers
Division 15 — Board of Variance
536Requirement for board of variance
537Board of variance for municipality or regional district
538Joint board of variance
539Chair and procedures for board of variance
540Application for variance or exemption to relieve hardship
541Notice of application for variance
542Board powers on application
543Exemption to relieve hardship from early termination of land use contract
544Extent of damage to non-conforming use property
Division 16 — Discharge and Termination of Land Use Contracts
545Application to land use contracts under previous legislation
546Amendment and discharge of land use contract
547Termination of all land use contracts in 2024
548Process for early termination of land use contract
549Notice of termination
550Discharge of terminated land use contract
Division 17 — Regulation of Farm Businesses in Farming Areas
551Agriculture minister may set standards for farm bylaws
552Farming area bylaws
553Authority and restrictions apply as declared by regulation
554Three year review of zoning bylaws affecting farming areas
555Intensive agriculture
Division 18 — Contaminated Sites
556Repealed
557Environmental Management Act requirements
Division 19 — Development Costs Recovery
558Definitions in relation to this Division
559Development cost charges: imposition and collection
560Inspector approval required for development cost charge bylaw
561Circumstances in which development cost charges are not payable
562General prohibition against waiving or reducing charges
563Development for which charges may be waived or reduced
564Amount of development cost charges to be specified in bylaw
565Deductions from development cost charges
566Use of development cost charges
567Provision of park land in place of all or part of charge
568Effect of bylaws adopted after application for rezoning, development permit or building permit submitted
569Annual development cost charges report
570Municipal development works agreements with private developers
Division 19.1 — Amenity Costs Recovery
570.1Definitions in relation to this Division
570.2Amenity cost charges: imposition and collection
570.3Consultation required for amenity cost charge bylaw
570.4Circumstances in which amenity cost charges are not payable
570.5General prohibition against waiving or reducing charges
570.6Development for which charges may be waived or reduced
570.7Amenity cost charge bylaw: specifying amenities and setting charges
570.8Use of amenity cost charges
570.9Provision of amenity instead of all or part of charge
570.91Effect of bylaws adopted after application for rezoning, development permit or building permit submitted
570.92Annual amenity cost charges report
570.93Information requested by inspector
570.94Regulations made for purposes of this Division
570.95Division does not restrict other powers
Division 20 — School Site Acquisition Charges
571Definitions in relation to this Division
572School site acquisition charge payable
573Circumstances in which charge is not payable or is waived or reduced
574Determination of eligible school site requirements
575Setting school site acquisition charges
576Application of charge or increase to in-process development
577Provision of land in place of all or part of charge
578No subdivision approval or building permit unless charge paid
579Credit for previous contributions
580Transfer of money and land to board of education
581Regulations for this Division
Division 21 — Provincial Authority
582Provincial policy guidelines
582.1Provincial policy guidelines related to small-scale multi-family housing
583Designation of resort regions
584Ministerial override orders in the public interest
585Ministerial regulations requiring bylaw approval
Division 22 — Housing Needs Reports
585.1Definitions for this Division
585.11Application of this Division
585.2Housing needs reports
585.21Collection of housing information
585.3Content of housing needs report
585.31When and how housing needs report must be received
585.4Publication of housing needs report
585.41Regulation-making powers
Division 23 — Transit-Oriented Areas
585.5Provincial policy guidelines related to transit-oriented areas
585.51Regulations related to transit-oriented areas
585.52Local government designation of transit-oriented areas
585.53Lieutenant Governor in Council designation of transit-oriented areas
Part 15 — Heritage Conservation
Division 1 — General
586Definitions in relation to this Part
587Regional district authority requires service
588Limits on use of this Part
589Limit on compensation
590Bylaw and permit procedures
591Ombudsperson review of local government decisions
Division 2 — Notices under this Part
592Giving notice to owners and occupiers
593Posting notice on protected heritage property
594Notice on land titles
595Notice to heritage minister
596Regulations regarding notices
Division 3 — Heritage Review
597Community heritage commissions
598Community heritage register
599Heritage recognition
600Heritage inspection may be ordered
601Entry authority for a heritage inspection
602Impact assessment may be required
603Local government requests for Provincial protection
Division 4 — Temporary Protection
604Withholding of approvals
605Withholding of demolition permits until other approvals issued
606Orders for temporary protection
607Temporary protection by introduction of a continuing protection bylaw
608Heritage control periods for temporary protection
609Temporary protection
Division 5 — Continuing Protection
610Heritage revitalization agreements
611Heritage designation protection
612Heritage designation procedure
613Compensation for heritage designation
614Designation of heritage conservation areas
615Permit requirements in relation to heritage conservation areas
616Heritage site maintenance standards
Division 6 — Heritage Alteration Permits
617Heritage alteration permits
618Terms, requirements and conditions in a heritage alteration permit
Division 7 — Remedies and Offences
619Civil remedies in relation to heritage property
620Notice of contravention may be filed in land title office
621Offences and penalties
Part 16 — Municipal Provisions
Division 1 — Challenge of Municipal Bylaws and Other Municipal Instruments
622Definition of "municipal instrument"
623Court application to set aside bylaw or other instrument
624Limitation period on application for declaratory order
625Time restriction in relation to right of action on illegal instrument
626Assessment or rate stands unless instrument set aside
627Validity of council proceedings
Division 2
628-636Repealed
Division 3 — Regulation of Carriers
637Regulation of carriers
Division 3.1 — Restrictions in Relation to the Passenger Transportation Act
637.1Definitions
637.2Restrictions on authority to regulate
Division 4 — Municipal Irrigation Services and Drainage Works
638Municipal irrigation services
639District municipality drainage works
Division 5 — Municipal Forest Reserves
640Establishment of municipal forest reserve
641Sale or lease of municipal forest reserve
642Cutting and removal of timber from municipal forest reserve
Division 6 — Municipal Taxation: Special Cases
643Taxation of forest land
644Taxation of utility company property
Division 7 — Annual Municipal Tax Sale
645Annual tax sale
646Council may exempt Crown land from annual tax sale
647Notice of annual tax sale
648Municipality may bid at annual tax sale
649Upset price for tax sale
650Purchaser at annual tax sale
651Purchaser to give authority to register tax sale title
652Collector to provide certificate of sale
653Tax sale of Crown land subject to an agreement to purchase
654Provincial government may accept tax sale purchaser
655Resale of land purchased by municipality at annual tax sale
656Notice of tax sale must be filed in land title office
657Owners must be given notice of tax sale and redemption period
658Assessment and taxes during redemption period
659Application of surplus from tax sale
660Redemption by owner
661Redemption payments by instalments
662Notice of redemption to be filed in land title office
663Registration of tax sale purchaser as owner
664Refusal of registration
665Effect of tax sale on rights of owners
666Action by owner to have tax sale set aside
667Court may reinstate taxes if sale set aside
668Council authority to cancel sale in case of error
669Restrictions on legal actions in relation to tax sale
670Repossessed tax sale land
671Procedure if purchaser under agreement for sale defaults
672Redemption by municipality of land sold for Provincial taxes
Part 17 — Improvement Districts
Division 1 — General
673Definitions in relation to this Part
674Giving notice to improvement districts
Division 2 — Incorporation of Improvement Districts
675Incorporation of improvement district: general rules
676Incorporation of mountain resort improvement district
677Notation on title of land in a mountain resort improvement district
678Dissolution of water user's community or development district
679Amendment of letters patent and reissue of letters patent
680Dissolution of improvement district
681Transition rules: dissolution, change in area, change in object
682Additional letters patent and order powers
Division 3 — Governance and Organization
683Improvement district board of trustees
684Election of improvement district trustees
685Chair of improvement district board
686Meeting procedure
687Regulations in relation to improvement district meetings
688First meeting of board in each year
689Appointment of select and standing committees
690Annual general meeting
691Annual financial statements
692Appointment of auditor
693Officers and employees
694Officer positions
695Corporate administration
696Financial administration
Division 4 — Powers and Operations
697General powers
698Powers that must be exercised by bylaw
699Process and registration requirements for bylaws
700Subdivision servicing requirements
701Requirements for excess or extended services
702Latecomer charges and cost recovery for excess or extended services
703Power to exercise rights under certain water licences
704Power to expropriate water diversion licences and related works
705General power to expropriate land and works
706Renewal of works and related reserve funds
707Appeal if improvement district refuses to provide services
Division 5 — Taxes and Cost Recovery
708Preparation of assessment roll
709Notice of assessment
710Court of revision for assessments
711Tax collection on behalf of improvement district
712Municipal collection of improvement district taxes
713Payments to improvement district
714Tax levy by improvement district
715Tax notices
716Lien for taxes and tolls
717Interest on taxes
Division 6 — Tax Sales
718Tax sale for recovery of taxes
719Board powers in relation to tax sale
720Tax sale notice to affected owners and charge holders
721Conduct of tax sale
722Authority to register tax sale title
723Registration of tax sale purchaser as owner
724Application of surplus from tax sale
725Tax sale of Crown land held under a mortgage or agreement for sale
726Disposal of tax sale land by improvement district board
Division 7 — Borrowing and Securities
727Provision of sinking funds
728Provincial guarantee of improvement district securities
729Form of securities
730Registration of securities
Division 8 — Other Improvement District Matters
731Improvement district property exempt from taxation
732Protection from legal proceedings
733Indemnification against proceedings
734Appointment of receiver
Part 18 — Legal Proceedings in Relation to Local Governments and Other Authorities
Division 1 — Legal Proceedings Against Municipality or Regional District
735Limitation period for certain actions
736Notice requirement respecting damages
737Proceedings against municipality or regional district in relation to damages caused by others
Division 2 — Immunities and Indemnities
738Immunity for individual local public officers
739Warning as defence for local government financial officer
740Indemnification against proceedings for local government officials
741Indemnification against proceedings for other local public officers
742Immunity in relation to building bylaw enforcement
743Immunity in relation to approval of certified building plans
744Immunity in relation to certain nuisance actions
Division 3 — Enforcement of Court Orders Against Municipality or Regional District
745Writ of execution against municipality or regional district
746Copy of writ of execution to be left with corporate officer
747Local government officers as officers of the court for purposes of execution
748Certain local government property exempt from seizure
749Tax to be imposed if amount not paid by municipality
750Payment of municipal amount levied
Division 4 — Other Matters
751Self-insurance by local authorities
752Application of this Part in relation to the Nisg̱a'a Final Agreement
753Application of this Part to treaty first nations
Part 19 — General Matters and Provincial Authorities
Division 1 — Certification of Senior Officials
754Board of examiners
755Powers of board
756Board may make regulations
757Application to City of Vancouver
Division 2 — Inspector of Municipalities
758Inspector of municipalities
759Official seal and records
760Certificate of approval for money bylaws
761Inquiry into application for certificate
762Appeal from inspector's decisions in relation to borrowing
763Certificate conclusive of validity
764Inquiries into local government matters
765Additional inquiry authority in relation to regional districts
Division 3 — Administrative Commissioner
766Definitions
767Appointment of administrative commissioner
768Substitution of commissioner
769Acting commissioner
770Powers transferred to commissioner
771Power of commissioner to make bylaws
772Powers of commissioner to borrow
773Taxes for sinking fund purposes
774Parcel tax rolls
775Differences between commissioner and board of education
776Commissioner reports to minister
777Election after commissioner appointed
778 Restriction on legal proceedings
779Regulations for purposes of this Division
Division 4 — Other Provincial Authorities
780Publication of letters patent
781Further powers in relation to assets
782Appeal to minister respecting construction of drains
783Power to make regulations
Part 20 — Transitional and Interim Provisions
Division 1 — Public Hearings
784Transition — public hearings
Division 2 — Small-Scale Multi-Family Housing
785Transition — extended compliance period for small-scale multi-family housing
786Transition — extension process for small-scale multi-family housing
787Transition — ministerial order related to small-scale multi-family housing
788Transition — effect of official community plan
789Transition — heritage revitalization agreements
Division 3 — Interim Report on Housing Needs
790Transition — interim report on housing needs
Division 4 — Transit-Oriented Areas
791Transition — definition in relation to this Division
792Transition — interim designation of transit-oriented areas
793Transition — provincial policy guidelines related to transit-oriented areas
794Transition — effect of official community plan
795Transition — restrictions on zoning authority in relation to transit-oriented areas
796Transition — off-street parking
Division 5 — Density Benefits
797Transition — density benefits zoning bylaws
Schedule — Definitions and Other Interpretation Matters
Revision Schedule