Sheltering in parks is not a suitable solution to homelessness. Under the Parks Regulation Bylaw, sheltering is not allowed in any City park. People experiencing homelessness can put up a temporary overnight shelter in select City parks, only when there is no other safe alternative available.
For details, view the Temporary Overnight Sheltering handout and the Parks Regulation Bylaw.
Rules for Temporary Overnight Sheltering
• Temporary overnight shelters are only allowed from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
• All items and belongings must be removed from the sheltering location by 7 a.m. each morning.
• After taking down and packing up your temporary overnight shelter you must move from the sheltering location
• A tent, lean-to or other form of overhead shelter constructed from tarps, plastic, cardboard or other material can be used by a person experiencing homelessness to protect themselves from the elements.
• Temporary overnight sheltering is only permitted in the approved list of 34 parks (see map below).
• Shelters must also be nine square metres (3m x 3m) or less
• The list of parks includes: Alexander Park, Alston Green, Banfield Park, Barnard Park, Begbie Green, Begbie Parkway, Blackwood Park, Bushby Park, Chapman Park, Charles Redfern Park, Clawthorpe Park, Clover Point, Ernest Todd Park, Fisherman’s Wharf Park, Gonzales Park, Gower Park, Holland Point Park, Jackson Street Park, Johnson Street Green, Lime Bay Park, Mary Street Park, Mayfair Green/Tolmie Park, Oaklands Park, Olive Street Green, Oswald Park, Pemberton Park, Redfern Park, Rupert Terrace Green, Scurrah Green, Selkirk Green, Shelbourne Green, Sitkum Park, Songhees Hillside Park, William Stevenson Memorial Park
No sheltering can be done within four meters of:
• Streets/paths/sidewalks
• Medians/boulevards
• Environmentally or culturally sensitive areas
• Playgrounds
• Gardens
• Cemeteries
• Sports fields
• No-shelter areas
• Private property
• Another temporary shelter
Shelters must also be:
• 15 metres from playgrounds
• 50 metres from school property
Taking Care of Your Property When Temporarily Sheltering
• Take down your shelter, pack up your belongings and move from your overnight sheltering area by 7 a.m.
• If your belongings are with you and you are following temporary sheltering rules, they won’t be impounded or disposed of.
• Keep your belongings dry, packed up and tidy.
• Do not leave your property unattended.
• Any shelter or property left in violation of the bylaw may be removed and then disposed of or impounded by Bylaw Services or Police.
• If you are present, willing and able to take essential items such as bedding, tents and medication, you may do so.
• Staff try to impound property that can be safely stored.
• Non-perishable food items in rodent-proof containers can be impounded.
• Wet, soiled, damaged, hazardous or bulky items cannot be safely stored and will be disposed of.
• Perishable food items or food not in rodent-proof containers will be disposed of.
• For more details, refer to the Administration of Property in City Custody Bylaw.
• You can come in person to the Bylaw Services office at 12 Centennial Square. The best time to come is Monday to Saturday (excluding holidays), 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
• A time will need to be scheduled for your property to be retrieved from storage. If you come between the suggested times, we will try our best to get your property to you the same day.
• Please provide as much information as possible, including your name, a description of the items, the location where you left them and the date your property was taken into custody.
• If you are unable to come to our office in person, please call 250.361.0215 or email bylawservices@victoria.ca.
• Outside agencies are available to assist you with claiming your property. We can connect you with these resources as required.
• Impounded items are held for 14 days. Some exceptions may apply.
Housing and Health Resources
• If you are currently experiencing homelessness, please call BC Housing to learn about housing options: 1.800.257.7756
• To apply for the Housing Registry, visit the BC Housing office at 210-3440 Douglas St. or apply online at housingapplication.bchousing.org.
• Call HealthLink BC at 8.1.1 for health information and advice, 24/7.
• Call 9.1.1 for health emergencies.
• The Royal Jubilee Hospital is located at 1952 Bay St.
• Call Island Health’s Mental Health and Substance Use Service Link at 1.888.885.8824.
• Call CRCL at 250.818.2454 to get support for a mental health crisis.
Contacts
To report a bylaw violation, please use the Report a Bylaw Violation form.