Regulations and Bylaws

Click on links below for more information about legislation, regulations and bylaws that are relevant to invasive species management in the Sea to Sky region.

Government of Canada

Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations
Canada Food Inspection Agency Acts & Regulations (including Plant Protection Act, Seeds Act, etc.)

Province of British Columbia

Weed Control Act and associated Regulation
Forest and Range Practices Act and associated Invasive Plants Regulation
Integrated Pest Management Act
Community Charter and Spheres of Concurrent Jurisdiction – Environment and Wildlife Regulation
Controlled Alien Species Regulation
Local Government Act

Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD)

Deposit and Removal of Soil Bylaw regulates the deposit and removal of soil and other materials within Areas A,B,C and D of the SLRD, with attention to the interest of the general public.
Noxious Weeds Control Bylaw prohibits a person or property owner from accumulating noxious weeds on private property and provide for the cost of recovery for abatement of such noxious weeds.
Invasive Species Management and Control Service Establishment Bylaw allows the SLRD to enter into contract with external parties to provide invasive species management and control within the service area.
Pemberton Facilities Rates and Charges Regulation Bylaw

For more information about SLRD bylaws, please refer to the SLRD website.

Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW)

The Environmental Protection Bylaw (no. 2426, 2025) prohibits the planting or growing of invasive species in Whistler; it also prohibits anyone from causing the spread of invasive species through the movement of soil or other materials. Moreover, the updated Environmental Protection Bylaw bans the sale of invasive species and requires that invasive species be managed in accordance with provincial best management methods or as advised by a Qualified Environmental Professional. It also allows the municipality to provide enforceable notice to remove invasive plant species from private land.
- The list of invasive species to which this bylaw applies are those species listed under the Community Charter – Spheres of Concurrent Jurisdiction.
The Solid Waste Bylaw provides guidelines for the disposal of garbage and other waste, including invasive plant species.
Pesticide Use Regulation Bylaw (2012 Amendment)
Property Maintenance Bylaw (and 1991 unconsolidated amendment) requires property owners and/ or managers to uphold the required standard for the maintenance of real properties.
Removal and Deposit of Soil Bylaw regulates the approval or prohibition of the removal of soil/deposits from any lands under the jurisdiction of the RMOW.

For more information about RMOW Bylaws, please refer to the RMOW website. To contact RMOW Bylaw Enforcement, email bylawservices@whistler.ca or call (604)-935-8280.

District of Squamish (DOS)

Invasive Species Management Bylaw prohibits a person from sowing, planting, cultivating, releasing or spreading an invasive species on any property within the DOS. Additionally, no person or business can sell or distribute invasive species within the District.
- The list of invasive species to which this bylaw applies, are those species listed under the Community Charter – Spheres of Concurrent Jurisdiction.
Pesticide and Herbicide Use Bylaw prohibits the use of pesticides on outdoor trees, shrubs, flowers and other ornamental plants or turf on public or private lands. Note that pesticides ‘applied to control or destroy Invasive Species in accordance with the Integrated Pest Management Act (B. C.) and the Invasive Species Management Bylaw (2786, 2020)’ are an exception to this bylaw. You can learn more about the Invasive Species Management Bylaw and the Pesticide and Herbicide Use Bylaw here.
Unsightly Premise Bylaw prohibits land or property owners from letting properties become or remain untidy and/or unsightly.
Solid Waste Bylaw establishes rules and regulations Solid Waste Utility and Solid Waste Disposal in the DOS
Zoning Bylaw pertains to rules and regulations of all zones of land, surfaces of water, buildings and structures that fall under the area boundary of the DOS
Fees and Charges Bylaw allows charges and fees to be applied to provided services and information in the DOS, including the disposal of invasive plant material
Official Community Plan Bylaw – Schedule N (Squamish Oceanfront Peninsula) and Schedule O (Waterfront Landing)

For more information about DOS bylaws, please refer to the DOS website. Questions may be directed to the Legislative Services department at (604)-892-5217. For bylaw enforcement, call (604)-815-5067.

Village of Pemberton

Consolidated Unsightly Premises Bylaw prohibits land or property owners from letting properties become or remain untidy and/or unsightly.
Site Alteration Bylaw regulates site alterations such as the removal of trees, plants, the movement of soil, etc., in the Village of Pemberton.

For more information about Village of Pemberton bylaws, please refer to the Pemberton Bylaw Services Website. To contact Bylaw Enforcement, email aburt@pemberton.ca or call (604) 894-6135.

Village of Lions Bay

Soil Deposit, Soil Removal and Land Alteration Bylaw establishes that the deposit/removal of soil and the alteration of land is regulated and may be subject to a fee or charge.

For more information about the Village of Lions Bay bylaws, please refer to the Lions Bay Bylaw Services Website. To contact Bylaw Enforcement, email cao@lionsbay.ca or call (604) 921-9333.