Saanich (District)

Anti-Shelter Bylaws and Restrictions on Locations and Types of Shelter

Parks

Section 14 of the District of Saanich's Parks Management and Control Bylaw 7753, prohibits the following:

a) camp[ing] overnight in or on any portion of any park or on any beach;

b) construct[ing] or plac[ing] in or on any portion of any park a tent or temporary building or structure without first obtaining a written permit issued by the Parks Manager; and

c) construct[ing[ or plac[ing] in any park, a shelter, pavilion or other permanent structure without first obtaining permission of Council.

Section 14.1 allows overnight shelter in parks where there is no "accessible" overnight shelter accommodation within the vicinity of the District. The by-law does not define what constitutes "accessible" shelter. 

Despite section 14 of this Bylaw, where there is no accessible overnight shelter accommodation available within the District of Saanich or the vicinity thereof, a homeless person may erect and occupy a temporary overnight shelter in a park subject to the restrictions set out in Schedule “C” attached hereto.

Schedule C of the By-law creates temporal and locational restrictions for overnight sheltering, and designates certain parks where encampments are allowed.

The shelter cannot be erected before 7:00pm, and must be taken down and removed before 7:00am on the following day. These times are not seasonal and apply year round. Prior to an amending by-law in August 2024, encampments were allowed to stay up until 9:00am.

In addition banning encampments between 7:00am and 7:00pm, the District also prohibits camping in the following locations for all parks:

• In environmentally sensitive areas;

• On a playground, spray park or pool, or any area within 3 metres of a playground, spray park or pool;

• On a horticultural display area or garden;

• In a skateboard bowl, tennis court or other sports court, or any area within 3 metres of a skateboard bowl, tennis court or other sports court;

• In a sports field, stadium or dugout, or any area within 3 metres of a sports field, stadium or dugout;

• On a stage or bleachers, or any area within 3 metres of a stage or bleachers;

• In a washroom facility, picnic shelter or gazebo, or any area within 3 metres of a washroom facility, picnic shelter or gazebo;

• In a recreation facility, or any area within 3 metres of a recreation facility;

• On a beach;

• In a cemetery;

• On a golf course;

• On a pathway, bridge, boardwalk, dock or wharf;

• On a road, driveway or parking facility.

If any of the above provisions are breached, section 14.1(b) of the by-law provides that the District may seize and remove an encampment resident's property and sell it. The District's Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1544 levies a $100 fine against those breaching the above-noted by-law provisions (or $75 if paid in 30 days).

Streets

Section 7.17 of the District's Street and Traffic Regulation Bylaw 8382 prohibits sleeping in vehicles overnight. 

Section 11.07 levies a $65 fine for violation of the above provision (or $50 if paid in 30 days).

The Encampment Management Process

The District does not appear to have an encampment management process aside from enforcement of its bylaws and subsequent ticketing.