Whistler has regulations about where and when shipping containers are allowed.
Shipping containers are prohibited in all residential neighbourhoods in Whistler, with the exception of the following:
- limited temporary use for active construction projects with a building permit
- moving
- some special events
Shipping containers may be placed on industrial, commercial, institutional and resource use lands. The containers must comply with the Whistler’s zoning and parking bylaw, and BC Building Code and Fire Code regulations.
Shipping containers are not allowed in these zones
Shipping containers are not allowed to be permanently placed in following zones:
- Residential Zones under Part 12 of the zoning bylaw
- Multiple Residential Zones under Part 13 of the zoning bylaw
- Tourist Accommodation Zones under Part 15 of the zoning bylaw
- Tourist Pension Zones under Part 16 of the zoning bylaw
- Lands North Zones under Part 17 the zoning bylaw
Use the Whistler Map to check your property’s zoning.
Where are shipping containers allowed?
Shipping containers are allowed in industrial, commercial, institutional, and resource use areas like Function Junction and Nesters Crossing. They must follow the permitted uses, site coverage and setback regulations of the property’s zoning. They also must meet any development permit requirements.
Temporary use of shipping containers
They can also be placed temporarily in the following locations in any zone:
- On construction sites if a building permit has been issued. The shipping container must be removed when construction is completed, stopped, or the building permit expires
- On any parcel or the highway for construction or repair to public infrastructure
- On any parcel or the highway for a municipally approved special event
A single container may also be placed on a parcel for up to 14 days to load or unload goods for a permanent residential or commercial move. The moving company must display their name on the container and hold a business licence and provincial commercial transport licence.
Safety and other general requirements
Shipping containers are made to store and ship materials, equipment and hazardous material.
Size: The maximum permitted size of a shipping container is 8 feet (2.44m) x 40 feet (12.19m) x 8 feet (2.44m) high.
Safety Requirements: The following are some of the safety requirements for their use in Whistler:
- If the container is used for anything other than storage, it must meet all relevant BC Safety Codes, including fire and electrical codes.
- Shipping containers must have adequate ventilation<link to anchor on venting reqs> to reduce the risk of explosion. The standard vents in shipping containers aren’t adequate when the container is used for storage.
- Shipping containers can be connected to a maximum of 30 amperes of electrical service with a weather proof extra-hard usage power supply cord. This must follow the BC Electrical Code for factory-built re-locatable structures.
- Other than electrical service described above, shipping containers cannot be connected to any other municipal service, such as water or sanitary service.
Venting requirements
Shipping containers must meet the following ventilation requirements for fire safety.
Shipping containers need two ventilation openings:
- For containers 6 m or less in length, the openings can be 0.3 m by 0.3 m or less. For containers over 6 m in length, the opening must be 0.5 m X 0.5 m.
- Put one ventilation opening within 150 mm of the floor in the container main door primarily used for opening.
- Place one ventilation opening within 150 mm from the top of the container. It should be on the opposite end to the doors to provide cross ventilation. Ensure the high ventilation opening doesn’t vent directly towards a structure.
Ventilation openings must be:
- Covered by an open grate wire mesh with greater than 50 per cent free area, and
- kept clear of internal and external debris and stored materials at all times.
We will consider alternate engineering solutions.
Find details in the zoning and parking bylaw.
