Local Government Systems in B.C.

B.C.'s local government system is unique in Canada, accommodating diverse local governance structures within a federated model that provides local services and governance to communities throughout B.C.. One hundred and sixty-two municipalities and 27 regional districts serve urban and rural communities in virtually all areas of B.C.

The first municipalities predate the establishment of British Columbia as a province. Regional districts were created in the mid-1960s. Other local service bodies such as improvement districts (not local governments) continue to exist in some areas.

Municipalities in B.C.

Municipalities in B.C. are responsible for providing local services and governance to approximately 89 percent of the province's population. There are currently 162 municipalities, ranging in population from just over 100 to over 630,000 people, and ranging in size from 63 hectares to over 8,500,000 hectares.​

Municipalities can be classified as either a town, village, district or city depending on the size and density of their population.

Learn more about municipal incorporation, governance, powers and services, planning and infrastructure, and the role of municipalities in regional districts:

• Municipalities in B.C.

Regional Districts in B.C.

Covering almost the entire geographic area of the province, regional districts are federations of municipalities, electoral areas and in some cases, Treaty First Nations.

Regional districts provide a political and administrative framework to:

• Provide region-wide services such as regional parks, and emergency telephone services such as 911
• Provide inter-municipal or sub-regional services, such as recreation facilities where residents of a municipality and residents in areas outside the municipality benefit from the service
• Act as the general local government for the electoral areas and provide local services such as waterworks and fire protection to unincorporated communities within the electoral areas

Learn more regional district governance, powers and services, planning and infrastructure:

• Regional Districts in B.C.

Local Government Division History

Since its establishment in 1934, the Local Government Division has helped to foster a collaborative and effective relationship between local governments and the B.C. government.

• Learn more about the Local Government Division