FAQs

Acknowledging that we live in a community where co-existence with nature and wildlife is an everyday occurrence, this bylaw is intended to reduce wildlife conflict while supporting responsible food security, composting, urban agriculture and waste diversion practices. 

The draft bylaw offers enhanced mitigation strategies to deter wildlife through clear requirements of how to store wildlife attractants and collection carts. It is a first step in managing wildlife attractants, acknowledging that there are many future opportunities for the City to consider, including the potential for improvements to municipal waste management infrastructure and accessible waste diversion.

Unsecured garbage, irresponsible composting, improperly managed bird feeders and other outdoor food sources, such as fruit trees, can contribute to public safety concerns and wildlife conflicts over time. Such actions are often unintentional.

A wildlife attractant is defined as any substance or material, not including pets or poultry, with or without an odour, that attracts or is likely to attract wildlife, including food or other edible products (whether intended for humans, animals or birds), grease and compost other than grass clippings, leaves or branches.

Except during collection hours, Solid Waste Carts containing Wildlife Attractants must be stored on private property, within a home, basement, garage or other accessory building meeting the requirements of a Wildlife Resistant Enclosure. Where not possible, carts should be secured against a wall or side of a building at the rear or side yard, clean and empty of all Solid Waste that is a Wildlife Attractant until the next collection day.

A Wildlife Resistant Enclosure means a structure which has four enclosed sides, a roof, doors, and a latching device of sufficient design and strength to prevent or deter access by wildlife.

Any person responsible for a site that is used for active construction, or a Special Event, must ensure that any Wildlife Attractants are appropriately disposed of at the end of each day, or, if necessary, stored in a designated Wildlife Resistant Enclosure overnight prior to disposal, during the construction period or Special Event. A Wildlife Attractant management plan may be required.

If approved and implemented, the Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 2822, 2026 would be supported by an education first approach to compliance. The intent would be to raise awareness of the bylaw and provide information on:

• Identifying wildlife attractants, best practices for co-existence with nature, and responsible waste management,
• Understanding composting, organics diversion, food storage, vermiculture, urban agriculture and food resilience practices that minimize wildlife conflicts,
• Proper storage management and disposal of wildlife attractants, and
• Examples of Wildlife Resistant Enclosures and methods to secure carts.

The City of Powell River’s bylaw enforcement program is complaint-based. To report a bylaw infraction, please call (604) 485-8600, use the On-line Issue/Complaint Form or come by in-person to City Hall, located at 6910 Duncan Street.

Anonymous complaints will not be accepted by the City. Please ensure that all complainants include the following information:

• Name, address and telephone number of the complainant

• Detailed description of the complaint