Bowen Island Municipality Website

Licenses

At this time, Bowen Island Municipality does not require licences for businesses.

Public Works Department

BIM is a member of BC OneCall - Call BEFORE you dig. Please contact BC OneCall prior to commencing any applicable permitted works.

BE INFORMED

Are you thinking of building a fence, gazebo, or shed? What about taking down some trees or updating your landscaping? An up-to-date property survey will insure that you are not building or taking down anything that may be on Municipal or your neighbour’s property.

A property survey should show all property lines, easements, setbacks and buildings. This information is not only helpful if you are thinking of a renovation or addition, but with replacing a fence or adding a deck. In the case of fences, an existing fence may or may not be on your side of the property line. Then there are the footings to consider. Are they on your side of the property line or your neighbours? A property survey could save you thousands of dollars in demolition/replacement costs or even lawsuits.

Easements are another important item to consider. You might have one or several easements registered over various areas of your property for any number of reasons including, but not limited to: right-of ways, hydro, telephone lines, cable lines and water and/or sewer lines. In most cases, depending on the easement, you cannot build on or obstruct an easement area.

Be informed; get an up-to date property survey. Who knows, with today’s advancements in GPS technology, you may discover that the tree, fence, or garage that has been there for years, is actually on Municipal or your neighbours property.

Permits

Schedule A - Permit Fees

PERMIT TYPE PERMIT FEE DEPOSIT REQUIRED

Construct a Driveway Access $100 $500

Event, Parade or Procession $25 $0 to $500

Occupy Municipal Highway $100 $0 to 10% of the value of the works

Occupy Municipal Highway              (by a public utility)
Nil $0 to 10% of the value of the works

Remove Trees in the Municipal Highway $25 $500

Remove Trees in the Municipal Highway (by a public utility) Nil $500

Driveway Design and Construction Guidelines

Application to Contruct Driveway Access

Application to Hold an Event

Application to Occupy a Municipal Highway

Application to Remove Trees in the Municipal Highway

With regards to the removal of trees on Municipal highway, typically the municipality will only permit the removal of trees that are creating a potential risk to the public due to:

1.       The impairment of sightlines due to the presence of a tree.

2.       The potential for a tree to fall where it might cause damage to person or property.

3.       The potential for a portion of a tree to fall where it might cause damage to person or property.

4.       The need to develop a driveway access through the driveway access permitting process.

Normally, if the hazard isn’t obvious, an arborist’s report would need to accompany the application to provide a qualified assessment of the tree. Depending on the specific scenario, complete tree removal is preferred over topping a tree because a topped tree often creates a future maintenance issue as it continues to grow.

In situations where the hazard is associated with tree limbs and not the trunk, removal of the tree limbs is preferred rather than removing the entire tree.

In addition, please note that we are not currently accepting permit applications for the use of the municipal roadway along the Bowen Island Trunk Road corridor between the BC Ferries Ramp and the Community School. Municipal Council is actively pursuing options for a comprehensive upgrade to this area (aka the Snug Cove Action Plan) which will affect ferry marshalling, parking, commercial development, utilities and property access.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, however the use of this corridor is very important to the general public, and as such, all needs must be carefully considered prior to allowing any works to occur on the municipal roadway.

Bylaw Enforcement

Permits for exemptions to the Noise Control Bylaw are issued in accordance with the Noise Control Exemption Policy. An overview of the Policy can be viewed here.

Applications for an exemption to the Noise Control Bylaw can be made by completing the application below. If approved by the Municipality, as permit is issued to the applicant.

Application for Exemption from the Provisions of the Noise Bylaw

Details of upcoming exemptions can be viewed here.

Some events held within the boundaries of a public property or a non-residential property that are considered accessory the the property's use, do not require an exeption, but require public notification. Notification must be made in writing to the Bylaw Enforcement Officer at least 7 (seven) days prior to the event.  Limitations for the time and durration of these events are set out within the Noise Control Exemption Policy.   An overview of the Policy can be viewed here.

Notification Form

Details of upcoming events not requiring an exemption can be viewed here.

Special Events:

Community events that have been declared Special Events by a resolution of Council do not require an exemption to the Noise Control Bylaw. A listing of these events, including the date and time of the each event, can be viewed here.

Building Inspection

Building Permit Application

Rezoning Application

Subdivision Application

Development Permits/Development Variance Permits

A Development Permit is necessary when proposing to develop or subdivide property in a designated development permit area in the Bowen Island Municipality Land Use Bylaw. To find out if your property is within a designated development permit area, refer to the Official Community Plan or contact the Island Community Planner at (604) 947-4255.

For further information including how to apply for a Development Permit, the basic requirements for a development permit application submission and the development permit process refer to:

Permits & Licenses