Services

Bylaw Enforcement

The Bylaw Enforcement Office administers, monitors, and seeks compliance with the bylaws enacted by Mayor and Council to maintain a safe and liveable community.

The Town follows an enforcement philosophy that encourages voluntary compliance, often achieved through education and public awareness. However, in certain situations, immediate enforcement, such as issuing tickets, may be necessary and appropriate.

Click here to view all bylaws.

While regular patrols are conducted, bylaw enforcement primarily operates on a complaint-driven basis.

Report a Bylaw Infraction

To report any complaints or concerns (such as noise, parking, dogs at large or unsightly properties), or ask a question, please contact the Bylaw Officer or complete and submit a Bylaw Complaint Form.

Bylaw Officer Contact:
  • 604-886-2274
  • beo@gibsons.ca

Bylaw Violations

Here are some of the more common bylaw violations:

In addition to general regulations, which aim to prevent people from disturbing their neighbours through excessive noise-making, the ANTI-NOISE BYLAW BYLAW No. 1285 provides specific regulations around activities such as construction and use of power equipment, and guidance of “Quiet Hours”.

View the Anti-Noise Bylaw here.

As per Bylaw No. 1215, a permit is required in the Town of Gibsons for any of the following signs that will be displayed:

  • Awning Sign
  • Changeable Copy Sign
  • Freestanding or Monument Sign
  • Projecting or Suspended Sign
  • Sandwich Board Signs
  • Wall Signs
  • Window Signs

Businesses are allowed to have a maximum of 3 signs.

A sign permit is not required for a sign that is identified in a Development Permit or a Development Variance Permit.

Click here to apply for a sign permit.

As per Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw 971, open fires, including campfires, beach fires and the burning of garden refuse are prohibited within the Town of Gibsons.

The Fire Chief, Fire Prevention Officer and Bylaw Enforcement Officer are designated to enforce this bylaw.

For any questions regarding open burning in the Town, please contact the Bylaw Enforcement Officer at 604.886.2274 or beo@gibsons.ca or the Gibsons & District Volunteer Fire Department at 604-885-6870 (non-emergency line).

If you are unsure if your address is in an SCRD rural area or the Town of Gibsons, you can search your address here.

The Tree Preservation Bylaw 1282 is considered to be the first step in developing an Urban Forest Plan and it has three key objectives:

  1. Identifies tree species that are to be protected within the Town of Gibsons;
  2. Recognizes the importance of the tree canopy and the many environmental, economic and social benefits of Urban Forests, whether the trees are on private property, Town road dedications or green spaces; and
  3. Establishes procedures to preserve the Town’s tree canopy by minimizing tree removal within Gibsons, preventing damage or destruction of trees, establishing mandatory conditions for replacement of trees, and optimizing planting provisions and tree health within the Town.

Tree Preservation Bylaw Components

Definitions and Application of Bylaw, Restrictions and Exemptions, Tree Permit Application, Regulations, Replacement Trees, Administration, and Offenses and Penalties

Schedule A Protected Tree Species

Schedule B Protected Tree Seedlings

Schedule C Tree Protection Practices

Schedule D Replacement Tree Stock and Planting Requirements

Schedule E Recommended Replacement Tree Species

Schedule F Invasive Tree Species

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Town of Gibsons need a Tree Preservation Bylaw?

Until September 2020, the Town had no bylaw regarding clearing of trees on private land, its ‘Tree Removal Policy on Public Land‘ was out of date, and its ‘Tree Cutting Permit Bylaw No. 623, 1990’ was very limited in scope. Additionally, the Town’s Integrated Stormwater Management Plan (ISMP), which was completed in 2018, recommended the adoption of a Tree Preservation Bylaw. As a result, at the request of Council, staff drafted ‘Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 1282, 2020’, which was first presented to Council on July 7, 2020 and adopted on September 18, 2020.

Was the public consulted before the adoption of this bylaw?

Yes. Due to COVID-19, a Public Hearing was determined to be the most efficient and safest way for Council to receive input on the proposed bylaw. Therefore, in August 2020, a postcard to inform residents about the bylaw and the Public Hearing was mailed to all Gibsons households (except those that do not accept flyers). The Public Hearing was held on Monday, September 14, 2020 and 33 submissions were received, with 11 opposed to the bylaw as written, 21 in support of the bylaw and 1 neutral.

To help limit conflicts between bears and humans in our community, the Town of Gibsons introduced the Wildlife Bylaw 1294.

The bylaw regulates attractants unrelated to refuse collection, including bird feeders, fruit and nut trees, composts, barbecue equipment and tools, beehives, grease, refrigerators and freezers, chickens, home food delivery, and feeding wildlife.

The bylaw provides the Town’s Bylaw Enforcement Officer with the ability to fine people who consistently fail to take the steps required to eliminate wildlife attractants (i.e. removing food sources from easy access by bears and other animals), thereby putting wildlife at risk of being euthanized. See Bylaw 1125-12 Bylaw Notice Enforcement and schedule of related penalties here.

General Regulations of the Bylaw

  1. A person must not cause or allow any refuse that is a wildlife attractant to be stored, deposited or placed on any parcel or highway within the Town in such a manner that it is accessible to wildlife.
  2. A person must not store, deposit or place outdoors any refuse that is a wildlife attractant except in a wildlife resistant container or enclosure in accordance with
    Garbage and Organics Collection and Disposal Bylaw No. 1252, 2018.
  3. Any person responsible for a site that is used for active construction, a special event, a catered event or filming is exempt from sections 3.1 and 3.2 but must ensure that any wildlife attractants are disposed of in a designated wildlife resistant container or wildlife resistant enclosure at the end of the event each day.
  4. A person must not feed wildlife, except for birds away from roadways and sidewalks.
  5. Every owner or occupier of real property must ensure that:
  • any fruit or nuts from a tree, bush or shrub on a parcel is maintained and stored in such a manner so as not to attract wildlife;
  • any composting activity is carried out and any composting device or equipment is maintained in such a manner so as not to attract wildlife;
  • barbecue equipment and tools that remain out of doors must be clean and free of residual food or grease;
  • no refrigerator, freezer, storage container or similar appliance, device or apparatus that contains wildlife attractants of any type shall be located outside;
  • any grease or petroleum product is stored in such a manner that it is inaccessible to wildlife;
  • no poultry or beehives are to be kept on the property as per Zoning Bylaw 1065;
  • any home delivery items that are left outdoors are stored in such a manner so as to not attract wildlife

The Town of Gibsons Traffic and Highway Use Bylaw sets out rules for how roads, sidewalks, and public spaces are used—by drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and businesses. These rules help keep our community safe, accessible, and well-maintained.

Apply for a Highway Use Permit

Parking Rules

  • No parking in front of fire hydrants, driveways, crosswalks, intersections, or in designated fire lanes.

  • You can’t park on sidewalks, medians, landscaped boulevards, or too close to stop signs.

  • Vehicles can’t be parked for more than 72 hours in the same spot on a public street.

  • Recreational vehicles and trailers must follow the same time limit, unless a special permit is granted.

Permits Are Required For:

  • Blocking or using any part of a road, sidewalk, or boulevard for construction, storage, or events.

  • Placing storage bins, dumpsters, or trailers on the road.

  • Selling goods or services on public roads (e.g., food trucks or pop-up vendors).

  • Parade routes or processions.

To apply, you’ll need to pay a fee, show proof of insurance, and submit a traffic plan if applicable. The Town may require a damage deposit to ensure the road or sidewalk is restored after use.

Sidewalk Maintenance

  • Property owners must clear snow, ice, and debris from sidewalks next to their property by 10am after a snowfall or before snow reaches 10 cm deep.

  • Property owners must also keep grass, boulevards, and ditches tidy and culverts clear.

Trees and Vegetation

  • Residents must trim trees and bushes so they don’t block signs, sightlines at intersections, or hang too low over sidewalks and roads.

  • Vegetation must not damage public infrastructure or create safety issues.

Other Prohibited Activities

  • Using a vehicle as a residence on public streets.

  • Leaving abandoned vehicles or construction materials on the road.

  • Selling or advertising from a parked vehicle without permission.

  • Riding skateboards, sleighs, or roller skates on roads unless permitted.

  • Blocking pedestrian or vehicle traffic for business or gathering purposes.

Enforcement and Fines

  • Town staff and RCMP enforce the bylaw.

  • Fines may apply for non-compliance. Serious or repeated violations may lead to impounding or prosecution.

How to Pay a Fine

To pay a parking ticket or other fine, there are two options:

  1. Pay in person at Town Hall with cash, cheque or debit (we cannot accept credit card payment in person)
  2. Pay online with a credit card through OptionPay (please note that OptionPay charges a fee): Online Credit Card Payments