Shipping Container Regulations Adopted
May 26, 2020
The City of Fernie has updated its Zoning Bylaw and Fire and Life Safety Bylaw to regulate where and how shipping containers may be used in Fernie. These new regulations are intended to reduce the public safety risk and hazards to first responders that can occur when these containers are used for purposes other than their intended use to transport goods. Council adopted the changes to the bylaw at the May 25, 2020 Regular Meeting of Council.
With the new regulations, shipping containers are prohibited on residential properties except in some temporary situations including for one month to facilitate moving, and for storing construction materials when a valid building permit has been issued.
In some non-residential zones shipping containers may be permitted, but they must be modified to increase ventilation and reduce the potential for explosion in accordance with the Fire and Life Safety Bylaw.
If you already have a sea can on your property that either was issued a permit or was installed in a manner that conformed to the requirements of the Zoning Bylaw and Official Community Plan in place at the time of its installation (eg: setbacks site, coverage, Development Permit Requirements) you will be permitted to keep it provided it is modified in accordance with section 13 of the Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw. No flammable or combustible liquids or gases can be stored in the shipping container, and no plumbing, electrical, or gas services or connections are permitted to the shipping container.
Any shipping containers in place that do not conform to the zoning regulations in place at the time of installation or did not receive a development permit where required, must be removed. These shipping containers are unlawful, and their removal is not appealable and there is no avenue to vary this requirement.
Learn more about the City of Fernie’s Shipping Container Regulations here.
