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Esquimalt adopts deer‑fencing bylaw to protect gardens and wildlife
Esquimalt’s municipal council approved a new bylaw on July 20, 2026 that permits residents to install deer‑exclusion fencing around their gardens. The regulation requires fences to be at least 2.5 metres tall and constructed of woven wire mesh, while banning netting or plastic that could trap wildlife. It applies only to residential parcels containing six or fewer homes per lot, and fences must remain visually open and see‑through.
The bylaw is intended to curb damage caused by Columbia black‑tailed deer, which have long fed on local gardens, while also protecting deer and other wildlife from injury. Council based the new rules on the District of Saanich zoning bylaw and incorporated staff recommendations on additional measures such as repellents and deer‑resistant planting. Councillor Meagan Brame praised the balance of the approach, saying the staff “took the time to keep in mind that we want to protect the wildlife as well as protect our plants and gardens”.
Entities
Columbia black‑tailed deer · Councillor Meagan Brame · District of Saanich · Esquimalt · Esquimalt Council
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 10 SOURCES] The bylaw applies only to residential properties with six or fewer homes on a single lot. chemainusvalleycourier.ca · ladysmithchronicle.com · lakecowichangazette.com · campbellrivermirror.com · comoxvalleyrecord.com · +5 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] Council used the District of Saanich zoning bylaw as a model for the new rules. chemainusvalleycourier.ca · ladysmithchronicle.com · lakecowichangazette.com · campbellrivermirror.com · comoxvalleyrecord.com · +5 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] The bylaw aims to keep Columbia black‑tailed deer out of gardens while protecting wildlife. chemainusvalleycourier.ca · ladysmithchronicle.com · lakecowichangazette.com · campbellrivermirror.com · comoxvalleyrecord.com · +5 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] Fence sections must remain visually open and see‑through. chemainusvalleycourier.ca · ladysmithchronicle.com · lakecowichangazette.com · campbellrivermirror.com · comoxvalleyrecord.com · +5 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] Councillor Meagan Brame said she liked the balance of protecting wildlife and gardens in the new bylaw. chemainusvalleycourier.ca · ladysmithchronicle.com · lakecowichangazette.com · campbellrivermirror.com · comoxvalleyrecord.com · +5 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] The permitted deer fence must be at least 2.5 metres high and made of woven wire mesh. chemainusvalleycourier.ca · ladysmithchronicle.com · lakecowichangazette.com · campbellrivermirror.com · comoxvalleyrecord.com · +5 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] Esquimalt council passed a bylaw on July 20, 2026 allowing deer fencing. chemainusvalleycourier.ca · ladysmithchronicle.com · lakecowichangazette.com · campbellrivermirror.com · comoxvalleyrecord.com · +5 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] The bylaw prohibits the use of netting or plastic in deer fences. chemainusvalleycourier.ca · ladysmithchronicle.com · lakecowichangazette.com · campbellrivermirror.com · comoxvalleyrecord.com · +5 more