Township Acting on Commercial Vehicle Parking Complaints

The Township of Langley is taking action against rural property owners who are in breach of the zoning bylaw by illegally operating commercial trucking operations.

The Township is aware of and acting against an increasing number of property owners using agricultural and rural zoned land for commercial trucking operations, including vehicle storage and repairs. The Township’s Bylaw Enforcement Department investigated a total of 64 reported cases associated with commercial vehicle parking in 2023, successfully concluding 56 cases through diligent enforcement measures. Enforcement actions resulted in the issuance of 881 tickets to offenders, with fines surpassing $50,000 to illegal operators.

These efforts reflect the Township’s unwavering commitment to upholding Township bylaws. Achieving voluntary compliance, especially with larger operators, has proven challenging. While the enforcement strategy primarily emphasizes voluntary compliance by collaborating with landowners, in certain circumstances the Township must seek compliance through legal channels.

“Township Council has made significant investments to support and expand our Bylaw Enforcement Department to meet the needs of our growing community - it's needed and long overdue. Township staff are addressing complaints about unauthorized commercial vehicle parking on farmland, as fast as possible. Protecting farmland from unauthorized non-farm uses is important, and Council has made that clear,” said Township Mayor Eric Woodward.

“For truck parking, we also need to find a real long-term solution so this issue doesn’t just move from one parcel to another, from one community to another, in a never-ending cycle of ongoing bylaw enforcement. We need our partners at the provincial level, where the jurisdiction for the ALR rests, to do more to present real-world viable alternatives for the region. In the meantime, staff and Council will continue to devote resources to ensure that those who break the rules are held accountable,” added Mayor Woodward.

Court injunctions are required for certain properties that continue to demonstrate persistent non-compliance. The Township is actively pursuing court injunctions in connection with two files, and successfully obtained a court injunction in respect to another illegal commercial trucking operation last year.

“The Township of Langley urges all residents and businesses to use designated parking areas for commercial vehicles, following Township regulations and bylaws,” said Manny Natt, Manager of Bylaw Enforcement for the Township. “While education, collaboration, and voluntary compliance remain fundamental aspects of our approach, the Township will not hesitate to use legal measures to ensure bylaw compliance.”

Strategy Details

• Section 108 of the Township’s Zoning Bylaw allows the parking or storage of a maximum of three commercial vehicles on most rural properties as an accessory to residential use. Any businesses engaged in commercial trucking or repair must obtain a Township business license, which cannot be issued if the business is not permitted under zoning regulations.
• The Township’s Bylaw Enforcement Department has recently obtained a legal injunction in the BC Supreme Court against an unlawful commercial trucking operation and is initiating other ongoing legal proceedings authorized by Council.
• The Township has established a dedicated Commercial Vehicle Unit, assigning designated Bylaw Enforcement Officers to oversee commercial vehicle enforcement. While accommodating business needs, the Township’s enforcement strategy remains steadfast in prioritizing compliance with zoning regulations to prevent unauthorized commercial vehicle parking.
• In 2023, Council amended the Bylaw Enforcement Policy to enable a more proactive approach to bylaw enforcement. Among other things, the amended Policy allows for more proactive and expedited enforcement of priority matters identified by Council, including unauthorized commercial vehicle parking.

To learn more about commercial parking regulations and other bylaw information, visit this page.