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MattersEnvironmentFirst seen Jun 5, 2023Last discussed Apr 7, 2025

Construction dust control rules

The City is reviewing how to reduce dust from construction activities such as demolition, excavation and hauling. Staff were directed to draft construction impact guidelines and broaden dust-control requirements for further review.

Where it stands: Staff directed to draft guidelines and broaden requirements Jun 5, 2023.

Background

Earlier and later steps of the same initiative.

  1. Sep 6, 2022

    Dust control rules discussion

    The city discussed whether to create rules to control dust, including dust from construction. The record does not specify proposed requirements or enforcement measures.

  2. Sep 6, 2022

    Proposed dust regulation bylaw

    A notice of motion asked staff to draft a dust regulation bylaw with tools to address construction dust. The proposed rules could help the city respond to dust impacts on residents.

Timeline

Every time this matter appeared in council records, newest first.

  1. April 7, 2025·Public comment
    • Mike Wignell (Langford)Supports · Construction impacts
      Supports reasonable construction-impact guidance while questioning measurable dust and smoke standards and whether fill permits require geotechnical plans.
    • A residentMixed · Social media and construction impacts
      Opposes restricting social media comments while cautioning council not to overburden construction companies amid changing financial conditions.
    • Chad Bryden (Langford)Concerned · Construction impacts
      Supports minimizing construction impacts but asks council to consider project costs, timelines, local material reuse, and industry expertise when drafting guidelines.
    • A residentSupports · Social media, MIST, and construction impacts
      Supports keeping social-media comments open, funding MIST, and advancing enforceable construction guidance while protecting staff through moderation and repeat-offender controls.
    • Matthew Park (West Hills Land Corp)Mixed · Construction impact guidelines
      Supports most construction guidelines but asks for clarity on rock-processing restrictions, citing added trucking, emissions, housing costs, and project delays.
    • Elle Plomp (Langford)Supports · Construction impacts and social media
      Supports enforceable construction rules barring neighborhood rock crushing and keeping Facebook comments open while banning individuals who bully or post offensive material.
    • A residentConcerned · Construction impacts
      Requests clearer rules for generator fumes and noise, neglected properties, local hiring, and blast notifications with development contacts.
    • A. Seifert (Langford)Mixed · Parks, construction impacts, and social media
      Questions criticism of long-term construction impacts, urges keeping Facebook comments open, and calls for substantive parks consultation and town halls.
    • Norman Joel (Langford)Mixed · Industrial extension, construction impacts, and social media
      Supports the nearby industrial business, warns banning on-site crushing raises housing costs, and opposes restricting residents’ social-media participation.
    • Chris Foxell (Langford)Concerned · Construction impact guidelines
      Supports most construction guidance but asks council to assess specific projects for potential cost and timeline effects before adopting further bylaws.

  2. June 5, 2023· Council

    Staff directed to draft construction dust guidelines

    Council directed staff to draft guidelines for a Construction Impact Management Strategy and to broaden dust control plan requirements for review by the Sustainable Development Advisory Committee; Councillor Szpak opposed.

    Decision: Directed staff to draft construction dust-control guidelines and broaden bylaw requirements for SDAC review.

    Passed 6–1· Against: Lillian Szpak

    Documents

  3. June 5, 2023·Public comment
    • Wendy Hobbs (Luxon Road)Concerned · Dust bylaw and Luxton Road sidewalks
      Urges a separate, enforceable dust bylaw and prioritizing dangerous Luxton Road sidewalks as traffic from nearby development increases.
    • Michael Sunshine (Lang Vista Drive)Mixed · Dust control bylaw
      Supports a construction-impact strategy but urges a separate, near-term dust bylaw covering existing projects and businesses.
    • A residentSupports · Dust control bylaw
      Urges immediate enactment of the draft dust bylaw, stronger enforcement, and possible stop-work orders for repeat offenders.