bylaw enforcement & ticket payment information.

• The City’s False Alarm Dispatch Bylaw applies to all users of structure and area intrusion alarm systems in Langford.
• The Bylaw requires that all alarm systems require the users obtain a permit for their system from the City. The permits are available at no charge, so we encourage you to apply now.
• The Alarm Registration Application Form is to be completed and returned with 30 days of the date of your business license application.
• If you have any questions, please contact Bylaw Enforcement at (250) 474-0604 or via email at enforcement@langford.ca.

• Langford’s Building Bylaw requires a permit be obtained for all construction and demolition and for many accessory structures and major renovations such as decks, sheds, and suites. This Bylaw regulates pool location and enclosure. Property owners are encouraged to always call first to ask if a permit is needed for the work they plan. Note that construction noise is regulated by the Noise Bylaw.
• The Zoning Bylaw stipulates fence height but the location, maintenance, ownership, and mis-use of fences are private law matters between property owners not actionable by the City. Fences encroaching in the right-of-way are an Engineering Department concern (250-474-0068).

Background
Established in 2011, the goal of the grant is to assist organizations and schools in the West Shore area to develop projects or initiatives focused on the prevention of drug and alcohol use, reducing crime and promoting public safety. Programs must be community based and not for profit.

Funding
The funding for this initiative has come from Council supported reallocation of revenue generated during criminal record checks for the municipalities of Langford, Colwood, and View Royal.

Proposal Requirements
West Shore CPAC will give preference to projects which:

• are tailored to meet the needs of a specific school or community
• involve youth, seniors or at risk populations
• promote healthy choices and lifestyle
• promote public safety

Proof of Expenditures
Once your event, activity or service have been completed, please submit receipts showing the exact use of the funding received within two months of your project being completed. If receipts are not received, you will not be eligible for future funding. In some cases, you may be asked to attend and provide presentation in person to the West Shore CPAC.

Timeline
You may decide to have just one activity or hold several events throughout the year. All activities must be completed and the receipts submitted as per the Call for Proposals document. The application form can be dropped off and addressed as follows:

West Shore RCMP CPAC
Funding Application
Attn: West Shore RCMP Community Policing Section
698 Atkins Ave
Victoria, BC V9B 3A4
Click here to get the CPAC application form

Submission Deadlines
West Shore CPAC sub-committee meets twice per year, thus applications are reviewed two times per year. Deadlines are as follows:

• The last Friday of February each year, by 4:00 pm
• The last Friday of September each year, by 4:00 pm

The City contracts CRD Animal Services for enforcement of the Animal Bylaw. The Langford Animal Control Officer can be reached by calling (250) 478-0624. Dogs can pose a public safety risk and must be on the property of their owner unless they are under effective control by someone. In playgrounds and on beaches dogs must be leashed, and dogs are completely prohibited from all City sport facilities and beaches in summer. Council recently introduced a “poop scoop” requirement applying to all lands.

Other problems addressed by the Animal Bylaw include excessive barking, feces in back yards, insufficient animal care, kennels, and licensing.

Land use contrary to the property’s zoning as set out in the Zoning Bylaw can result in some of the largest, most complex files for the department. Unpermitted land use may underlay a wide range of problems including inordinate traffic volume, parking congestion, unsightly premise, and noise. Home occupations, for example, can become so successful they alter the residential character of a neighbourhood. What appears an unsightly premise issue may in fact be salvage and recycling in excess of the hobby level.

In Langford, properties may contain only one unenclosed, unlicensed vehicle (not counting RVs) kept in a side or rear yard, but no unenclosed vehicle parts. Note that a vehicle carrying storage insurance is not “licensed” according to the bylaw. A proliferation of unlicensed vehicles or parts on a property or the street may indicate an auto repair business, auto sales (curbing), or pay-parking.

The Noise Bylaw does not set out times of the day when residential disturbances are acceptable, although disturbances after 11 pm are necessarily prioritized more urgently. Immediate relief for a disturbance may be obtained by calling the RCMP (250) 474-2264 but repeat disturbances and chronic noise should be reported to Bylaw Enforcement.

Businesses may be required to take all reasonable steps to mitigate noise from their activities, depending on circumstances.

Construction noise disturbances are lawful Monday to Friday between 7 am and 7 pm and Saturdays between 9 am and 5 pm, but are prohibited on Sundays and Statutory Holidays (please review the BC Government’s list of Statutory Holidays) unless authorized by a Permit issued by the City. Please complete the Permit.

It is highly recommended you take time to consult the entire Noise Bylaw for a thorough understanding. Road works and emergency response are two activities exempt from the Noise Bylaw.

Noise cases always require two complaints in writing and all parties must complete a Noise Evidence Log of disturbances so that the Bylaw Officer, and potentially the courts, can compare the type, frequency, volume and duration of noise with what is reasonable for the permitted land use.

For burning complaints during normal business hours (M-F 8:30-7:00) please contact Bylaw Enforcement by calling 250-474-0604 or by filling out the online contact form here.   

For burning complaints outside of normal business hours please contact the the West Shore RCMP non-emergency number at 250-474-2264.

Agencies who respond to complaints of burning are responsible for a variety of issues. Responses will be prioritized according to protocol established by each Department or Agency.

Please note: If you are reporting a fire that is a life threatening or is a fire safety issue, CALL 911

Open Burning

Find out if you qualify to burn here.      View the burning bylaw here.

Campfires

In the City of Langford you must get a permit in order to have a campfire. Langford residents can now obtain a campfire permit by applying online. This easy-to-use application form can be accessed conveniently on the day of the fire and the permit will be sent electronically to your email. There is no charge to obtaining a permit online.

NOTE: One (1) campfire permit may be obtained per residential property per day and is valid for three hours (3) from the time of issuance.

Click here to apply for the on-line Campfire Permit.

General Guidelines for Campfires:

• Shall be no larger than 0.6 by 0.6 (2 ft by 2 ft)
• May be in a ground pit, or an above ground container made of non-combustible material (metal container, brick, cement, etc.), or an open ground of mineral soil, gravel or sand
• Must be supervised at all times by a person 16 years of age or older
• Are not to be lit during high winds
• Ensure that the campfire is fueled by firewood only and shall not be used to burn household refuse, plastics, rubber, asphalt shingles, construction or demolition waste, yard waste (branches and leaves) or similar materials
• A garden hose or reasonable means to control the fire is to be readily available while the campfire is lit
• Clearances for campfires shall be 6m (20 ft) from any building, 3 m (10 ft) from any shrubbery, wooden fences, over hanging trees, or combustible materials
• The fire must be completely extinguished and soaked to stop re-ignition by midnight      (00:00 hrs) or before the fire becomes unsupervised

Campfire permits will not be issued when the wildfire risk reaches extreme.

Information on province wide campfire bans can be found at the Wildfire Management Branch.

Fireworks

Fireworks sales are now banned everywhere in the Capital Region, including all West Shore communities.  Discharges of consumer (“family fireworks”) are allowed only under permit on October 31 between 5:00 pm and 10:00 pm. Call Langford City Hall for permit and annual Fireworks Safety Course information at (250) 478-7882.

To Obtain a Permit:
PERSONS WISHING TO HAVE A FIREWORKS EVENT and have taken the West Shore Fireworks Safety Course within the past three years (2020 or later) may obtain the permit from their Municipality (City Hall).  Please call ahead to ensure access to municipal offices:

• City of Langford, 877 Goldstream Avenue, (250) 478-7882
• City of Colwood, 3300 Wishart Road, (250) 478-5999
• Town of View Royal, 333 Island Highway, (250) 479-7322
• District of Highlands, 1980 Millstream Road, (250) 474-1773

PERSONS WISHING TO HAVE A FIREWORKS EVENT IN LANGFORD but have NOT taken the West Shore Fireworks Safety Course within the past three years (2022 or later) MUST FIRST COMPLETE the online West Shore Fireworks Safety Course -West Shore Residents ONLY.

ONLINE FIREWORKS COURSE for 2023 (Check back in September 2023)   

Once the online Fireworks Safety Awareness Course has been completed and passed (minimum 10/12), an online Fireworks Permit Application is to be completed, printed off and brought in with the permit fee (cash only please) to obtain the Fireworks Permit from the persons respective Municipal Hall.

• PERMITS MUST BE OBTAINED BEFORE 12:00 pm (noon) ON OCTOBER 31, 2022
• Everyone must have a permit to possess or discharge any fireworks;
• Permits are issued only to persons 18 years of age and older; and
• No fireworks or firecrackers may be sold or traded in these municipalities.

Consult the complete bylaw for full information – including permit costs and other requirements – before planning your event.

PLEASE NOTE:  The issuance of fireworks permits will be contingent on current fire conditions.

Types of Permits

• Consumer (family) and Display fireworks permit – Valid only on October 31st
• Pyrotechnic fireworks permit (Community Events)

Fireworks Safety Course
Completion of the Fireworks Safety Course is required for those wishing to obtain a consumer (family) fireworks permit. (Only Valid on October 31st of each year)

• Click here for the Firework Application – Consumer and Display
• Click here for the Pyrotechnics Application.

Please note:  The certificate of completion for the Fireworks Safety Course is valid for three years. If you took the course in 2019 you are required to take it again.  If you took the course in 2020 or 2021 you may want to take it again to refresh your safety knowledge, but you do not need to repeat the course in order to apply for a permit.

Visit the CRD Website for animal-related (dogs and horses) Halloween/fireworks tips.

The Traffic Bylaw regulates parking, right-of-way use, and road work in the City. The most common parking infractions are: contrary to posted sign; on-street on a 6m wide road; over a sidewalk or bike lane; an unlicensed vehicle; blocking a driveway or hydrant; and in excess of 72 hours. Parking problems are urgent only when the vehicle poses a public safety risk.

It is a bylaw offence to cycle without a helmet, work in the right-of-way without permit, or transport unsecure loads. Heavy trucks, speed, and risky driving are regulated other ways, see the Topics list. When lodging a parking complaint, licence plate information can be key.

Park visitors are most concerned about alcohol use and the associated noise, uncontrolled dogs, obnoxious behaviour, amenity damage and public safety risk that result. Alcohol cannot be consumed or possessed in a City park. The Parks Bylaw also prohibits “stunting,” a flexible term applied to many activities that interfere with other users’ enjoyment of the park.

Many park issues are regulated by the Animal Bylaw such as leashing of dogs on beaches Sept 16 through May 30, and the total ban of dogs on beaches in summer and in sports facilities at all times. Parks are closed from sunset to sunrise; Bylaw Enforcement Officers and security guards routinely patrol parks day and night in summer.

Information about you is generally protected by law from disclosure, and Bylaw Enforcement Officers take great care to not convey detail that may identify you to the person who is the subject of a complaint. For the protection of all parties, however, anonymous complaints are never actioned.

Suites are often believed to cause over-demand for street parking in an area. Legal suites have a parking space provided on-site but there is no bylaw provision compelling the tenant or guests to park in that space only. Suite enforcements can be multi-faceted involving not only the Zoning Bylaw for occupancy and density limits, but also building permits, fire safety, unsightly premises, noise, dog control, and covenants.

The department investigates suites only when two complaints in writing are received. Persons reporting must live within 50 m of the suite property and be able to cite, in concrete terms, how the suite negatively affects the enjoyment of their property. The Bylaw Department does not action tenant reports of unethical landlords or substandard suites; please consult the Residential Tenancy Act.

The Sign Bylaw enforcement is currently prioritized such that hazards garner the most attention. Signs posted in developed boulevards can damage underground irrigation; signs on sidewalks and boulevards can present a tripping hazard or a traffic sightline problem.

Speed and driver behaviour are regulated by the Motor Vehicle Act enforced by the Westshore RCMP and the Integrated Road Safety Unit (IRSU). Citizens with concerns about neighbourhood traffic can request the Bylaw Department assess speed and volumes via an application of SpeedWatch. An assessment may help with decision-making when citizens request enforcement or changes to the roadway. SpeedWatch can also be used by trained volunteers to slow traffic in their neighbourhood on a regular basis.

• Tickets can be paid in person at Langford City Hall (2nd Floor, 877 Goldstream Ave, Langford BC, V9B 2X8).
• We accept debit, cheque or cash. We do not accept credit card payments.
• Tickets can be dropped off in the City of Langford Drop Box 24 hours a day

Before removing a tree or vegetation in the City of Langford, please click the link below to read vital information regarding the City’s stance toward the issue on private and public property.

Trespass by neighbours, development, or strangers onto private property can be distressing. Trespass is always either a private law or criminal matter and municipal Bylaw Enforcement Officers will be unable to assist.

Drivers of trucks with three or more axles are required by the Truck Route Bylaw to traverse Langford only on the designated truck route, until the route brings them as close to their destination as possible. At that point drivers may leave the route and travel to their destination, returning to the truck route before continuing onward. Route roads are: the Trans Canada and Sooke Road for east-west travel; and Veteran’s Memorial Parkway for north-south travel, and Langford Parkway leading from Veteran’s Memorial westward toward the City’s business parks.

Lodging a complaint about trucks off-route? Trucking company name and licence plate details can be crucial. Route enforcement utilizes methods ranging from traffic stops to dispatcher warning letters and educational mailing-outs to truck associations. Enforcement benefits the community by reducing noise and pedestrian hazards in neighbourhoods, and wear and tear on streets.

The term “unsightly” applies quite narrowly to properties with accumulations of garbage, interior furniture or appliances out in the yard, graffiti, pet feces, derelict trailers, etc. Poorly maintained and unsafe properties are not regulated by the Unsightly Premises Bylaw nor are weeds or overgrown lawns. Overgrown lawns are not a high fire hazard due to the low fuel load they contain.

Dumping garbage on any open land is illegal under municipal, regional district, and provincial law; however, unauthorized use of a garbage bin is “theft of service” and is not a bylaw matter. Squatter camps are investigated for the public safety risk of garbage accumulations, hazardous waste, and unlawful fires.

Humans and wildlife, including bears and cougars, have co-existed for centuries.  Bear and cougar events/sightings have historically been very rare within Langford boundaries and when sightings do happen, they are more likely to occur in those areas which border our vastly wooded areas.

Report Wildlife Sightings

Under the Wildlife Act, all large wildlife (bears, cougars, deer etc.) fall to the Province of BC and its Conservation Officer Service for protection and management. To report a bear or cougar sighting (or any wildlife sighting), call 1.877.952.7277 or email Conservation.Officer.Service@gov.bc.ca.

Bears

Stay Safe and Be Mindful. Bears are naturally curious and drawn to the smell of food, if a bear doesn’t find food it will likely move along. Here are some suggestions to avoid attracting bears to your home:

1. Keep all garbage in a secure area until collection day
2. Manage your compost to reduce odours
3. Ensure your barbecue is clean and odour-free
4. Feed pets indoors
5. Pick fruit as soon as it ripens
6. Only feed birds during the winter months

Follow these tips when using marked hiking trails:

1. Make noise, talk loudly, sing, clap your hands, use a bear bell
2. Be alert and watch for scat, tracks, strange smells, vegetation that has been trampled
3. Hike in groups and keep children close by
4. Keep your dog leashed to avoid provoking a bear
5. Hike only during daylight hours, bears are most active at dawn and dusk

What to Do if You Encounter a Bear

1. Remain calm and don’t panic
2. Don’t make eye contact
3. Make yourself as large as possible
4. Speak in a calm voice, don’t yell or scream
5. Back away slowly and don’t run as this may provoke a pursuit

Cougars

What to Do if You Encounter a Cougar

1. Pick up children immediately – Children frighten easily and the noise and movements they make could provoke an attack
2. Back away slowly, ensuring that the animal has a clear avenue of escape
3. Make yourself look as large as possible and keep the cougar in front of you at all times. Never run or turn your back on a cougar, sudden movement may provoke an attack
4. If a cougar shows interest or follows you, respond aggressively, maintain eye contact with the cougar, show your teeth and make loud noise. Arm yourself with rocks or sticks as weapons
5. If a cougar attacks, fight back, convince the cougar you are a threat and not prey, use anything you can as a weapon.  Focus your attack on the cougar’s face and eyes. Use rocks, sticks, bear spray or personal belongings as weapons. You are trying to convince the cougar that you are a threat, and are not prey.

For More Information

Pamphlets are also available at Langford City Hall, 2nd Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue, Langford, BC V9B 2X8

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/misc/bears/

https://wildsafebc.com/

https://coexcarnivores.org/