Proposed Solid Waste Collection Bylaw No. 2299, 2026

Executive Summary

The purpose of this report is to present Council with the proposed “Solid Waste Collection Bylaw No. 2299, 2026”.

The proposed bylaw is the result of Council’s direction to better manage waste collection in the City. The municipally contracted residential curbside garbage and organic waste collection program is expected to:

• Provide cost savings for residents on average compared to the current open-market private subscription model.
• Reduce GHG emissions and infrastructure impacts by reducing the number of garbage collection vehicles on City roads.
• Mitigate nuisances to the community such as illegal dumping and traffic congestion.

The proposed bylaw is required to implement a City garbage and organic waste collection program by:

• establishing fees for the service;
• requiring use of the service for residential properties that contain up to six dwelling units;
• regulating the use of collection bins; and
• setting fine amounts for bylaw offences.

Attached is proposed “Solid Waste Collection Bylaw No. 2299, 2026” (Attachment 1) for Council’s consideration.

Background

Currently, garbage collection for residences of six units or less in Langford is typically done by multiple companies contracting directly with homeowners, and participation is voluntary with some residents indicating that they do not subscribe to any garbage collection service.

At the July 21, 2025, Regular Council meeting, Council directed staff to explore options to better manage waste collection.

At the December 15, 2025, Regular Council Meeting, staff presented a report with projections showing that transitioning to a unified municipally-contracted model for garbage collection will likely provide cost savings for residents on average when compared to the current open-market private subscription model, and would also increase waste diversion, align with environmental goals by reducing GHG emissions and infrastructure impacts, and mitigate the nuisances the community is currently experiencing, such as illegal dumping and traffic congestion.

At the December 15, 2025, Regular Council Meeting, Council passed a motion directing staff to:

1. Engage a consultant to: a. Review and verify the staff recommendation to proceed with a municipally-contracted residential curbside garbage collection service;
   b. Advise and support the public survey and key partner engagement conducted by staff;
   c. If verified, prepare and present a proposed scope for the Municipal Garbage Service Contract to Council for information prior to going to tender; and
2. Prepare a bylaw to regulate the storage, collection, and disposal of garbage and organic waste in accordance with the CRD’s Solid Waste Management Plan.

The City engaged a consultant and at the June 15, 2026, Regular Council meeting, staff presented a report which verified the staff recommendation to proceed with a municipally contracted residential curbside garbage collection service.

The City proceeded with a request for proposals to receive applications for potential collection contractors. That process has now closed, and several submissions have been received. Staff are currently reviewing the potential collection contractors. A contract has not yet been awarded.

In anticipation of the contract, City services must be established by bylaw. Staff have reviewed the CRD’s Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) and best practices in other municipalities and have drafted the proposed bylaw to reflect the City’s garbage and organic waste collection program.

Commentary

The City already has several bylaws that apply to garbage and organic waste, including the City’s “Streets and Traffic Bylaw No. 2233, 2025” which prohibits:

• placing garbage containers on the street, except as required for garbage collection between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., and at no time within a roadway; and
• placing garbage, refuse, noxious or offensive items or substances on streets.

The City’s “Community Standards Bylaw No. 2255, 2026” prohibits littering or dumping of household waste in public spaces including streets, and requires:

• all waste to be deposited in a container designed specifically for that purpose;
• all large waste containers such as dumpsters to be secured against unauthorized entry when not being actively loaded or unloaded; and
• occupants must keep boulevards abutting property free of waste.

The proposed bylaw defines the scope of the mandatory collection service and introduces:

• a requirement that owners of residential properties that are comprised of not more than six dwelling units use the service and associated fees;
• the ability for the Director of Engineering and Public Works to exempt a dwelling unit from the service if it is deemed to be unserviceable by the Director or the service contractor, or provide a temporary exemption if the owner has a pre-existing contract for organic waste and garbage collection that would cause undue hardship or significant cancellation fees to terminate;
• an exception to the Streets and Traffic Bylaw to allow containers that are part of the collection service to be placed out for collection between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m.;
• commencement provisions with notice requirements; and
• requires collection bins to be kept reasonably clean, sanitary and in working order.

Further, in accordance with the CRD SWMP Guiding Principles to “prevent organics, recyclables, and household hazardous waste from going into the garbage wherever practical”, the proposed bylaw:

• defines “garbage” and “organic waste” and prohibits the placing of organic waste in collection bins intended for garbage and vice versa; and
• defines “recyclable material” and “prohibited items” and prohibits the placing of these into collection bins that form part of the service.

The CRD has recently expanded its ‘Beyond the Curb’ program with a Langford hub located at the Westhills Bus Exchange, making it easier for residents to dispose of recyclable materials and some prohibited items closer to home.

The proposed bylaw creates municipal ticket information and bylaw offence notice fines to ensure the City can enforce the regulations.

Fees

The fee schedule reflects the cost if the fees are paid directly to the City, rather than to the Collection Contractor, and includes an additional administration fee.

Commencement

If the proposed bylaw is adopted, the service will not commence until notification of the collection service is sent to the owners of the residences that are included in the service.

Financial Implications

The municipal garbage and organic waste collection has several financial implications including:

• staff time to administer the contract, including one additional public works staff member dedicated to managing the contract transition for a 12-month term, which will be included in the 2027 budget;
• a fee to residents who are required to use the program; and
• bylaw enforcement officer time investigating bylaw offences and responding to complaints.

Notably, the fee to residents who are required to use the program is expected to be under $300.00 per year, which is less than what residents reported paying through the survey.

Legal Implications

Pursuant to the Community Charter, Council may provide any service that the council considers necessary or desirable and may do this directly or through another organization.

In addition, Council may, by bylaw, regulate, prohibit and impose requirements in relation to municipal services.

Strategic Plan Alignment

• 2 - Climate Change and Environmental Stewardship.
• 5 - Good Governance.
• 6 - Quality of Life.

Options

Option 1

THAT Council give first, second and third reading to “Solid Waste Collection Bylaw No. 2299, 2026”.

OR Option 2

THAT Council take no action with respect to the proposed “Solid Waste Collection Bylaw No. 2299, 2026”.

Submitted By

Richard Wagner, Policy Analyst and Legislative Drafter

Concurrence

Melisa Miles, Manager of Legislative Services

Concurrence

Yari Nielsen, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities

Concurrence

Leah Stohmann, RPP, MCIP, Director of Community Planning and Development

Concurrence

Katelyn Balzer, P.Eng., Director of Engineering and Public Works

Concurrence

Michael Dillabaugh, CPA, CA, Director of Finance

Concurrence

Marie Watmough, Director of Legislative & Protective Services

Concurrence

Braden Hutchins, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer

Concurrence

Darren Kiedyk, Chief Administrative Officer

Attachments

Attachment 1 - Proposed Bylaw No. 2299