Regional Districts and the
Community Charter

[Last updated April 25, 2024]

 

The Community Charter provides the statutory framework for all municipalities in BC, except the City of Vancouver, and sets out municipalities' core areas of authority. In order for certain provisions of the Community Charter to apply equally to regional districts, cross references were added to the Local Government Act. This guide provides a convenient reference showing which provisions in the Community Charter also apply to regional districts.

The Community Charter is separated into 9 Parts, which are made up of Divisions that are divided into sections. In the first column of this guide, Parts, Divisions and sections of the Community Charter that apply to regional districts are highlighted and links are provided. The corresponding sections in the Local Government Act appear in the second column, under the heading “LGA”.

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Community Charter

LGA

Part 1 — Principles, Purposes and Interpretation
  1 Principles of municipal governance

2 Principles of municipal-provincial relations

3 Purposes of Act

4 Broad interpretation

5 Definitions and other interpretation rules s. 2,
Sch. – ss. 1 & 2




Part 2 — Municipal Purposes and Powers

Division 1 — Purposes and Fundamental Powers s. 326.1 (1)





s. 304 (2)
s. 327 (4)

6 Municipalities and their councils

7 Municipal purposes

8 Fundamental powers

9 Spheres of concurrent authority
– In relation to health bylaws
– In relation to soil bylaws





Division 2 — Scope of Jurisdiction

10 Relationship with Provincial laws

11 Area of jurisdiction





Division 3 — Ancillary Powers s. 326.1 (1)







s. 284 (1)




12 Authority to establish variations, terms and conditions

13 Services outside municipality

13.1 Services within treaty lands

14 Intermunicipal service, regulatory and other schemes

15 Licensing and standards authority

16 Authority to enter on or into property

17 Municipal action at defaulter's expense

18 Authority to discontinue providing a service

19 Requirements for security to be paid to municipality

20 Emergency powers




Part 3 — Additional Powers and Limits on Powers

Division 1 — Partnering and Other Agreements

21 Partnering agreements

22 Agreements granting exclusive or limited franchises

23 Agreements with other public authorities





Division 2 — Restrictions on Providing Assistance

24 Publication of intention to provide certain kinds of assistance

25 General prohibition against assistance to business and exceptions
– In relation to heritage assistance
 
s. 276 (1), (2)





Division 3 — Municipal Property

26 Notice of proposed property disposition

27 Exchange or other disposal of park land s. 281 (1)

28 Disposal of water systems, sewage systems and other utilities

29 Municipal ownership of subdivision park land

30 Reservation and dedication of municipal property s. 278





Division 4 — Expropriation and Compensation s. 463 (5)

31 General expropriation power

32 Authority to enter on and use property

33 Compensation for expropriation and other actions

34 Appropriation of stream channel or bed without compensation





Division 5 — Highways

35 Ownership and possession of highways

36 General authority in relation to highways

37 Intermunicipal boundary highways

38 Temporary traffic restriction and traffic control

39 Additional powers in relation to highways

40 Permanent closure and removal of highway dedication

41 Restrictions in relation to highway disposition, closure or alteration

42 Agreements respecting compensation for extraordinary traffic

43 Agreements respecting municipal equipment on utility poles

44 Agreements to reserve land for highway purposes

45 Highway construction and dikes

46 Use of highways and public places





Division 5.1 — Restrictions in Relation to the Passenger Transportation Act s. 326.1 (2)



46.1 Definitions

46.2 Restrictions on authority to regulate in relation to passenger directed vehicles





Division 6 — Animal Control

47 Classes of animals

48 Seizure and related powers

49 Special powers in relation to dangerous dogs s. 321





Division 7 — Authority in Relation to Trees

50 Restrictions in relation to authority

51 Compensation not payable

52 Right to reconsideration by council





Division 8 — Building Regulation

53 General authority in relation to buildings and other structures

54 Building permits and occupancy permits

55 Requirement for professional certification s. 302

56 Requirement for geotechnical report s. 302

57 Note against land title that building regulations contravened s. 302

58 Cancellation of note against land title s. 302





Division 9 — Business Regulation s. 326.1 (1)




59 Powers to require and prohibit

60 Business licence authority

61 Restriction on authority to require examination or certification





Division 10 — Other Spheres

62 Public place powers

63 Protection of persons and property

63.1 Definitions in relation to tenant protection

63.2 Protection of tenants on redevelopment

63.3 Limits on tenant protection bylaws

64 Nuisances, disturbances and other objectionable situations

65 Signs and other advertising





Division 11 — Other Powers

66 Fire chief powers

67 Disposal of property in police possession

68 Restriction on authority to fluoridate

69 Specific authority in relation to drainage, sewage and dikes

70 Drainage control

71 Orders and awards respecting drainage or reclamation works





Division 12 — Remedial Action Requirements
– In relation to harm to drainage or dikes
– Generally

s. 309
s. 305

72 Council may impose remedial action requirements

73 Hazardous conditions

74 Declared nuisances

75 Harm to drainage or dike

76 Time limit for compliance

77 Notice to affected persons

78 Person affected may request reconsideration by council

79 Shorter time limits in urgent circumstances

80 Recovery of municipal costs through sale of property




Part 4 — Public Participation and Council Accountability

Division 1 — Elections, Petitions and Community Opinion

81 Election proceedings

82 Petitions to council

83 Council may seek community opinion





Division 2 — Approval of the Electors s. 270

84 Approval of the electors

85 Assent of the electors

86 Alternative approval process

87 Matters requiring approval or assent may be combined

88 Agreements requiring approval or assent





Division 3 — Open Meetings s. 226 (1)

89 General rule that meetings must be open to the public

90 Meetings that may or must be closed to the public

91 Other persons attending closed meetings

92 Requirements before meeting is closed

93 Application of rules to other bodies





Division 4 — Public Notice and Access to Records

94 Requirements for public notice ss. 225 & 286 (1)

94.1 Default publication requirements

94.2 Bylaw to provide for alternative means of publication

95 Public access to municipal records

96 Agreements that require elector approval or assent

97 Other records to which public access must be provided s. 268 (1)





Division 5 — Reporting

98 Annual municipal report

99 Annual meeting on report





Division 6 — Conflict of Interest s. 205

100 Disclosure of conflict

101 Restrictions on participation if in conflict

102 Restrictions on inside influence

103 Restrictions on outside influence

104 Exceptions from conflict restrictions

105 Restrictions on accepting gifts

106 Disclosure of gifts

107 Disclosure of contracts with council members and former council members

108 Restrictions on use of insider information

108.1 Disqualification from office for contravening conflict rules

109 Court order for person to give up financial gain





Division 6.1 — Mandatory Leave of Absence s. 205

109.1 Definition

109.2 Disclosure of charge

109.3 Mandatory leave of absence





Division 7 — Challenge of Council Member Qualification for Office s. 205

110 Disqualifications to which this Division applies

111 Application to court for declaration of disqualification

112 Status of person subject to an application

113 Costs of an application





Division 8 — Code of Conduct s. 205

113.1 Requirement to consider code of conduct

113.2 Reconsideration of decision respecting code of conduct




Part 5 — Municipal Government and Procedures

Division 1 — Council Roles and Responsibilities

114 Council as governing body

115 Responsibilities of council members

116 Responsibilities of mayor

117 Confidentiality s. 205

118 Size of council

119 Term of office for council members

120 Oath or affirmation of office

121 Resignation from office





Division 2 — Council Proceedings

122 Exercise of powers by bylaw or resolution s. 226 (2)

123 General voting rules

124 Procedure bylaws

125 Council meetings

126 Calling of special council meetings

127 Notice of council meetings

128 Electronic regular council meetings

128.1 Electronic special council meetings

128.2 Electronic council committee meetings

128.3 Electronic participation by members in council and council committee meetings

129 Quorum for conducting business

130 Designation of member to act in place of mayor

131 Mayor may require council reconsideration of a matter s. 217

132 Authority of presiding member s. 226 (3)

133 Expulsion from meetings s. 226 (1)

134 Authority to compel witnesses s. 226 (2)

134.1 Meetings and hearings outside municipality





Division 3 — Bylaw Procedures s. 227

135 Requirements for passing bylaws

136 When a bylaw comes into force

137 Power to amend or repeal

138 Municipal codes and other general bylaws

139 Consolidation of bylaws

140 Revision of bylaws





Division 4 — Committees, Commissions and Other Bodies

141 Standing committees of council

142 Select committees of council

143 Municipal commissions

144 Authority to rescind appointment

145 Application of procedure rules to other bodies

145.1 Electronic meetings of other bodies

145.2 Electronic participation of members





Division 5 — Officers and Employees

146 Officer positions

147 Chief administrative officer

148 Corporate officer

149 Financial officer

150 General employment matters

151 Suspension of officers and employees

152 Termination of officers

153 Prohibition against interfering with municipal officers and employees





Division 6 — Delegation

154 Delegation of council authority

155 Special rules respecting delegation of hearings and other proceedings

156 Reconsideration of delegate's decisions





Division 7 — Other Matters

157 Municipal days of recognition

158 Freedom of the municipality

159 Notice to municipality

160 Notice by municipality: obligation satisfied if reasonable effort made

161 Court order allowing substituted service

162 Certified copies of municipal records s. 248

163 Evidence of municipal bylaws and other records s. 248




Part 6 — Financial Management

Division 1 — Financial Planning and Accountability

164 Fiscal year

165 Financial plan

166 Public process for development of financial plan

167 Annual financial statements s. 377 (1)

168 Reporting of council remuneration, expenses and contracts s. 377 (1)





Division 2 — Audit s. 377 (1)

169 Municipal auditor

170 Audit committee

171 Auditor's reports

172 Complaints to council or auditor about financial affairs





Division 3 — Expenditures, Liabilities and Investments

173 Limit on expenditures

174 Limit on borrowing and other liabilities

175 Liabilities under agreements s. 403 (1)

176 Liabilities imposed under prescribed enactments s. 403 (1)

177 Revenue anticipation borrowing

178 Short term capital borrowing

179 Loan authorization bylaws for long term borrowing s. 403 (1)

180 Elector approval required for some loan authorization bylaws

181 Temporary borrowing under loan authorization bylaw

182 Municipal financing through regional district

183 Investment of municipal funds s. 377 (1)

184 Property accepted in trust

185 Ownership of corporations

186 Self-insurance by local authorities

187 Indemnification against proceedings





Division 4 — Reserve Funds s. 377 (1)

188 Establishment of reserve funds

189 Use of money in reserve funds





Division 5 — Restrictions on Use of Municipal Funds s. 377 (1)

190 Purposes for which borrowed money may be used

191 Liabilities for use of money contrary to Act





Division 6 — Ministerial Regulations

191.1 Regulations respecting revenue anticipation borrowing in special circumstances

191.2 Regulations respecting borrowing from reserve funds in special circumstances




Part 7 — Municipal Revenue
– In relation to collection of taxes imposed for cost recovery of services in municipalities

s. 386 (2)

Division 1 — General

192 General revenue sources

193 Authority for fees and taxes

193.1 Interest calculation




– In relation to collection of taxes imposed for cost recovery of services in municipalities s. 386 (2)

Division 2 — Fees

194 Municipal fees

195 Fees in relation to soil removal and deposit

196 Fees in relation to fire and security alarm systems




– In relation to collection of taxes imposed for cost recovery of services in municipalities s. 386 (2)

Division 3 — Property Value Taxes
– In relation to imposing taxes for cost recovery of services in municipalities
– In relation to the manner for establishing tax rate

s. 386 (2)
s. 749 (2)

197 Annual property tax bylaw
– In relation to First Nations
 
s. 258

198 Assessment averaging and phasing options

198.1 Development potential relief

199 Property tax rates regulations




– In relation to collection of taxes imposed for cost recovery of services in municipalities s. 386 (2)

Division 4 — Parcel Taxes
– In relation to imposing taxes for cost recovery of services in municipalities
– In relation to imposing taxes for cost recovery of services in electoral areas

s. 386 (2)
s. 388 (2)

200 Parcel tax bylaw
– In relation to First Nations

s. 257 (7)

201 Property subject to parcel tax
– In relation to First Nations

s. 258 (2)

202 Parcel tax roll for purpose of imposing tax

203 Content of parcel tax roll

204 Parcel tax roll review panel

205 Review panel to hear complaints and make corrections

205.1 Daily schedule of review panel

206 Authentication of parcel tax roll

207 Appeal to Supreme Court from review panel decision

208 Updating the parcel tax roll

209 Validity of parcel tax roll




– In relation to collection of taxes imposed for cost recovery of services in municipalities s. 386 (2)

Division 5 — Local Service Taxes s. 31 (4), (5)

210 Authority for local area services

211 Requirements for establishing a local area service

212 Petition for local area service
– In relation to petitions for electoral area services
– In relation to participating electoral area petitions for borrowing

s. 337 (4)
s. 408 (4)

213 Local area service on council initiative — subject to petition against

214 Local area service on council initiative — subject to elector assent

215 Business improvement areas
– In relation to mountain resorts

s. 275 (1)

216 Local service taxes

217 Borrowing in relation to a local area service

218 Enlargement or reduction of local service area

219 Merging of local service areas




– In relation to collection of taxes imposed for cost recovery of services in municipalities s. 386 (2)

Division 6 — Statutory Exemptions

220 General statutory exemptions

221 Grandparented pollution abatement exemptions

221.1 Grandparented dust and particulate matter eliminator exemptions

222 Phased farm property tax exemption

223 Exemptions under regulations




– In relation to collection of taxes imposed for cost recovery of services in municipalities s. 386 (2)

Division 7 — Permissive Exemptions

224 General authority for permissive exemptions

225 Partnering, heritage, riparian and other special exemption authority

226 Revitalization tax exemptions

227 Notice of permissive tax exemptions




– In relation to collection of taxes imposed for cost recovery of services in municipalities s. 386 (2)

Division 8 — Tax Liability of Occupiers

228 Taxation of Crown land used by others

229 Taxation of municipal land used by others s. 391 (1)

230 Taxation of occupier of exempt land




– In relation to collection of taxes imposed for cost recovery of services in municipalities s. 386 (2)

Division 9 — General Revenue Collection Authority

231 Recovery of taxes and fees

232 Collection agreements with other taxing authorities




– In relation to collection of taxes imposed for cost recovery of services in municipalities s. 386 (2)

Division 10 — Property Tax Due Dates and Tax Notices

232.1 Definition and application of section 160

233 Options for tax due dates

234 General tax collection scheme

235 Alternative municipal tax collection scheme

236 Owner may elect which scheme to use

237 General tax notices

238 Persons may request copies of tax notices




– In relation to collection of taxes imposed for cost recovery of services in municipalities s. 386 (2)

Division 11 — Adjustments to Taxes

239 Interest on overpayment of taxes

240 Adjustments for assessment changes

241 Taxation based on supplementary roll

242 Apportionment of property value taxes if land subdivided

243 Apportionment of parcel taxes if land subdivided




– In relation to collection of taxes imposed for cost recovery of services in municipalities s. 386 (2)

Division 12 — Payment of Taxes

244 Application of tax payments

245 Taxes in arrear

246 Delinquent taxes

247 Treatment of outstanding taxes on subdivision or cancellation of subdivision

248 Statement of outstanding taxes

249 Certificate of outstanding taxes




– In relation to collection of taxes imposed for cost recovery of services in municipalities s. 386 (2)

Division 13 — Recovery of Taxes

250 Taxes are a special charge on the land

251 Liability of assessed owner

252 Recovery of taxes by the legal remedy of distress

253 Power to accept real property in place of taxes

254 Tax sales

255 Notice of delinquent taxes on Crown land

256 Recovery of taxes on Crown land subject to an agreement for sale

257 Recovery of taxes on Crown land held under lease or licence




– In relation to collection of taxes imposed for cost recovery of services in municipalities s. 386 (2)

Division 14 — Recovery of Special Fees

258 Special fees may be collected as property taxes

259 Special fees that are liens against property




Part 8 — Bylaw Enforcement and Related Matters

Division 1 — Bylaw Enforcement

260 Enforcement powers

261 Payment of fines and other penalties to municipality s. 413 (2)

262 Recovery of penalty and costs by legal remedy of distress





Division 2 — Offence Act Prosecutions

263 Penalties in relation to Offence Act prosecutions

263.1 Additional sentencing powers in relation to Offence Act prosecutions





Division 3 — Ticketing for Bylaw Offences s. 414










264 Ticket offences

265 Penalties in relation to ticket offences

266 Laying information and serving ticket

267 Choice of paying fine or disputing ticket

268 Effect of paying fine

269 Hearing of dispute

270 Failure to appear at hearing

271 Failure to respond to ticket

272 Time extensions if person not at fault in failing to respond or appear

273 Regulations in relation to ticket offences





Division 4 — Enforcement by Civil Proceedings s. 420

274 Actions by municipality





Division 5 — Other Matters

275 Entry warrants s. 424




Part 9 — Governmental Relations

Division 1 — Provincial-Municipal Relations

276 Required consultations

277 Consultation agreements

278 Enforcement of obligations

279 No forced amalgamations





Division 2 — Provincial Regulations

280 Regulations providing exemptions from approval requirements

281 Regulations providing additional powers and exceptions

282 General regulation authority
– In relation to open meetings
– In relation to elector approval
– In relation to conflict of interest

s. 226 (1)
s. 270
s. 205 (1)

283 Variation authority





Division 3 — Dispute Resolution Community Charter 
ss. 284 – 290

284 Request for assistance in relation to intergovernmental dispute

285 Voluntary binding arbitration

286 Mandatory binding arbitration

287 Final proposal arbitration

288 Full arbitration

289 General provisions regarding arbitration process

290 Implementation of arbitrator's decision

291 Regulations respecting arbitrations

292 Commencement





Schedule — Definitions and Rules of Interpretation


1 Definitions Sch. – s. 2

2 Application of Local Government Act definitions Sch. – s. 1

3 Special rule for Mountain Time Zone

4 References to municipal officers