Bylaw Compliance & Enforcement Frequently Asked Questions

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Introduction 
The Islands Trust Area covers the islands and waters between the 
British Columbia mainland and southern Vancouver Island, including 
Howe Sound and as far north as Comox. About 26,000 people live on these 
islands. In 1974, in recognition of the special nature of the islands in the 
Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound, the Government of British Columbia 
enacted the Islands Trust Act giving authority to Local Trust Committees 
for land use planning and bylaws. 
 
The Islands Trust is a unique federation of independent local 
governments, including Bowen Island Municipality, which plans land use 
and regulates development in the Islands Trust Area. Like other 
communities in British Columbia, island communities select their local 
representatives every four years. There are two local trustees elected for 
each group of islands designated as a Local Trust Area or island 
municipality. Together, with an appointed chair from the Executive 
Committee of the Islands Trust Council, local trustees from a Local Trust 
Committee (LTC), which is responsible for land use decisions and bylaws 
within their respective Local Trust Area. 
 
What is the purpose of the Islands Trust bylaw compliance 
& enforcement team? 
The bylaw compliance & enforcement team investigates alleged 
contraventions of the land use bylaws of the LTCs comprising the Islands 
Trust. These bylaws are developed in consultation with the community. The 
regulations are found in LTC Land Use Bylaws; in Development Permit Areas 
designated in Official Community Plans; and in Soil Deposit and Removal 
Bylaws. The goal of the bylaw compliance & enforcement process is to gain 
compliance with these regulations by, for example: moving a structure, 
obtaining a variance permit, or discontinuing a use that is not permitted. 
 
Unlawful outside storage of car parts in residential area 
 
Unlawful structure in setback from the sea 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
How many staff work in bylaw compliance & enforcement? 
The bylaw compliance & enforcement team currently consists of three full-time 
bylaw compliance & enforcement officers, a manager, and a bylaw compliance 
& enforcement administrative assistant. 
 
What policies do the bylaw compliance & enforcement team 
follow? 
The Islands Trust Council has adopted a bylaw compliance & enforcement policy 
to guide the work of its bylaw compliance & enforcement team. Some LTCs have 
also adopted compliance & enforcement policies defining specific priorities for 
their community. 
 
What initiates a bylaw compliance & enforcement investigation? 
Like all local governments, the Islands Trust uses a ‘complaint-based’ bylaw 
enforcement process. This means that almost all investigations result from 
community complaints. This system gives priority to those bylaw infractions of 
greatest concern to island communities. Trust Council’s policies also allow a bylaw 
compliance & enforcement officer to initiate an investigation without a complaint 
if there is

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