Facility Licencing

Any person wanting to operate a municipal solid waste and/or recycling facility within the Cowichan region must first obtain a Waste Stream Management Licence from the CVRD, as per Bylaw No. 2570, Waste Stream Management Licencing Bylaw. The bylaw helps to ensure that waste and recycling facilities do not negatively impact communities nor the environment. The CVRD is one of only three jurisdictions in BC that offers waste stream management licencing. 

Apply for a Facility Licence

New applicants are advised to allow up to six months for the application process to be completed (certain applications and operations may take longer). All facilities must also comply with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal regulatory requirements. For example, a person wishing to operate a commercial composting facility must have land zoned to permit this use and must also comply with the provincial Organic Matter Recycling Regulation requirements.

Licenced Facilities


There are currently five licenced facilities within the region. The facilities, along with supporting resources and reports, are listed below.

Licenced Facility Reports

Odour Studies

  1. Cobble Hill Odour Survey Report, 2014
  2. Chemainus Odour Survey Report, 2014
  1. Chemainus Odour Survey Backgrounder, 2014

Groundwater Studies

  1. Fisher Road Groundwater Investigation Report, 2021
  2. Fisher Road Groundwater Investigation Data Review Report, 2018
  3. Fisher Road Groundwater Monitoring Follow-Up Report #2, 2014
  4. Fisher Road Groundwater Monitoring Follow-Up Report #1, 2014
  1. Fisher Road Groundwater Investigation Final Report, 2013
  2. Fisher Road Preliminary Environmental Assessment, 2011
  3. Fisher Road Environmental Review Report Addendum, 2010
  4. Fisher Road Environmental Review Report, 2010

Traffic Studies

  1. Fisher Road Traffic Impact Assessment Report, 2010