TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: July 20, 2026 Report No. DEV-26-035
TO: Council
FROM: Jakub Lisowski, Planner and Bill Brown, Director of Development Services
SUBJECT: Deer Fencing Regulations - Zoning Bylaw Amendment Public Hearing
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council give third reading and adoption to Zoning Bylaw, 1992, No. 2050, Amendment Bylaw, 2026, No. 3183 to incorporate regulations for Deer Fencing into the Zoning Bylaw.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
In June 2025, Council shifted "Front Yard Deer Fencing" from the Future Projects list to its active projects list in the 2023-2026 Council Priorities Plan. On January 19, 2026, staff presented Council with a report including the most recent research and regulations from area municipalities. Council directed staff to use the District of Saanich Zoning Bylaw as a model, with changes to allow deer fencing and deer fencing extensions in front yards. Following this direction, staff proposed amendments to the Esquimalt Zoning Bylaw to regulate deer fencing. The Advisory Planning Commission recommended approval of the bylaw amendment on April 21, 2026, and Council gave the Bylaw first and second readings on May 25, 2026.
BACKGROUND:
The deer feeding in Esquimalt gardens are Columbia Black Tailed Deer (Odecoileous hemionus columbianus). They are native to Vancouver Island and are very adaptable to human dominated environments. They are considered a mid-sized deer with the ability to jump up to 2 metres and occasionally a little higher.
Deer are creatures of habit and will return to the same areas regularly. Acting early to discourage their browsing of valued vegetation will reduce damage. There are various ways of lessening the impact of feeding, including protective structures (including fencing), habitat modification (providing more native vegetation for feeding), repellents, and planting deer resistant plants. In mid to late summer bucks (male deer) will also rub their antl...
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