FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question about life at Long Lake Heights? Browse by topic below. For matters not covered here, contact Colyvan Pacific at 250-754-4001 or email council@longlakeheights.ca.

General

What is a bareland strata? In a bareland strata, you own your lot outright — including the land and the building on it. The strata corporation owns and maintains the common property: roads, shared utilities, landscaping, and other shared infrastructure. You pay a monthly strata fee to cover those shared costs. This is different from a standard (building) strata, where the corporation owns the building envelope.

What is the speed limit within the strata? 30 km/h on all roads within Long Lake Heights.

Is Long Lake and the beach area part of the strata? No. Long Lake and the beach/park area are not strata property. Concerns about the lake — littering, fishing, boating — should be directed to the City of Nanaimo or Transport Canada.

Parking

Where can visitors park? Visitor parking is available in designated areas throughout the community. There is a maximum of 7 days per month in visitor stalls. When using visitor parking, place a dashboard note showing the address you’re visiting and the date/time frame.

Can my home-based business clients use visitor parking? No. Clients of a home-based business must park on the business property, not in visitor stalls.

What about large vehicles, RVs, and trailers? Vehicles over 1 ton carrying capacity are restricted within the strata. Recreational vehicles or trailers over 30 feet may not be parked regularly on strata roads or common property. Commercial vehicles require council permission. See the Bylaws & Rules for details.

Water & Plumbing

Who is responsible for the water line to my home? Each homeowner is responsible for the water service line from the road to their home. If you experience reduced water pressure or suspect a leak on your lot, engage a licensed plumber. Report suspected leaks on common property — road, shared infrastructure — to Colyvan Pacific immediately.

What do I do in a water emergency? If you have a plumbing emergency inside your home, shut off your home’s main water valve. For issues involving the shared water system, contact Colyvan Pacific at 250-754-4001. After hours, use the emergency contact number listed on the Emergency Info page.

Can I flush disinfectant wipes? No — please don’t. Even brands labelled “flushable” are not safe for this community’s infrastructure. Many homes in Long Lake Heights rely on individual sewer pumps, and wipes cause pump failures and costly repairs. This is one of the most common preventable maintenance issues in the community.

Are there seasonal watering restrictions? Yes. Seasonal water restrictions typically apply July through August. The strata’s bylaws also prohibit excessive water consumption. Check the City of Nanaimo watering restriction schedule for current restrictions, or contact Colyvan Pacific.

Snow Removal

Who clears the roads in winter? The strata contracts private snow removal for internal roads. The goal is to make roads passable for properly equipped vehicles. The strata does not clear driveways — this is the homeowner’s responsibility, and liability prevents the strata from doing this work on private lots.

Note that City of Nanaimo roads outside the strata may not be cleared at the same time as internal roads. Plan accordingly during winter weather.

Sandboxes are located at various points throughout the community for traction on slippery surfaces.

Fencing & Landscaping

Do I need approval to put up a fence? Yes. All fencing requires prior written approval from council. Submit a request to Colyvan Pacific before purchasing materials or starting any work.

Can I remove a tree on my property? Not without council approval. All native trees on strata lots are protected under the bylaws. Removal is only approved for genuine safety hazards — if pruning can resolve the issue, pruning is required instead. An arborist assessment may be required at the owner’s expense. See Landscaping & Grounds for full details.

Dogs & Wildlife

What are the rules for dogs? Dogs must be kept on your property or on a leash at all times within the strata. Clean up after your dog on any property — common areas, roads, and neighbouring lots. This is a bylaw requirement, not just courtesy.

Should I feed wildlife? No. Feeding wildlife — birds, deer, raccoons, bears — causes animals to become habituated to humans and to associate the neighbourhood with food. This creates safety risks and can lead to problem animals being destroyed. Keep attractants managed: secure garbage bins, be mindful of bird feeders, and do not leave pet food outside.

Report bear sightings to the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.

Home-Based Business

Do I need approval to run a business from home? Yes. Written approval from council is required before operating a business from your home. A monthly user fee equal to the strata fee applies. Your clients must park on your property — not in visitor stalls. You also need a City of Nanaimo business licence.

Contact Colyvan Pacific to start the approval process.

Can I run an Airbnb or short-term rental? Short-term rentals require case-by-case council approval and a City of Nanaimo business licence. They are not covered under the standard long-term rental rules — they are treated as a separate approval category. Contact council at council@longlakeheights.ca to inquire.

Rentals

Is there a limit on how many units can be rented? Yes. The bylaws set a maximum of 46 rental units within the strata (approximately 20% of total lots). If you plan to rent your home, you must apply in writing to council before listing. If the cap has been reached, your name goes on a waiting list. Rental permission expires after 90 days if not used.

This applies to long-term rentals. Short-term rentals (Airbnb, VRBO) are handled separately — see above.

Renovations & Modifications

What do I need before I start any exterior work or renovation? Written council approval is required for any exterior modification, addition, or alteration. This includes decks, fences, sheds, carports, driveway changes, exterior paint, and changes to grading or drainage.

For new construction or substantial additions, requirements include: building plan approval, $1,600 in fees and deposits, a City of Nanaimo building permit, and a commitment to complete within 12 months.

Contact Colyvan Pacific for the current approval form. Starting work without approval can result in a requirement to restore the property at your expense.

Can I install solar panels? Yes — precedent was established in 2023. Council approval is required. Contact council@longlakeheights.ca for the current approval process.

Can I install an EV charger? Homeowners may install EV chargers on their own lots at their own expense — no common-property chargers are available. Council approval is required as part of the standard exterior modification process. Contact Colyvan Pacific to begin.

Tree Removal

All native tree removal requires council approval before any work begins. This applies whether you are removing a tree entirely or doing significant pruning. In general, council will require pruning as an alternative to removal if the problem can be resolved that way.

Removal is only approved under specific conditions, including:

A tree that poses a genuine safety hazard (a dangerous leaner or windfall)
A dead, damaged, or dying tree (unless it serves as a wildlife tree with active bird nests)
A tree in the path of a council-approved building or addition
A tree causing direct structural damage to a building, roof, drain, or eaves
A tree that has grown to block a view that existed when the current owner purchased the lot (requires council assessment of the original view)

Conditions that don’t justify removal include needles or cones on a roof, eliminating shade, or creating a view that wasn’t there when you bought the lot.

Council may require an opinion from a certified arborist or registered professional forester for significant pruning or removal requests. The cost of any required arborist report is the homeowner’s responsibility.

During construction: Tree removal is restricted to within 1 metre of the building’s foundation. A driveway up to 6 metres wide may also be cleared. Any removal beyond those limits requires special written permission from council.

To request approval, contact the council at council@longlakeheights.ca.

Mailboxes

I’ve lost my mailbox key. What do I do? Contact Canada Post or your local post office. The strata does not manage mailbox keys or locks.

I just moved in and my mailbox key doesn’t work. If your key doesn’t fit or the lock has been changed, contact Canada Post directly. They handle all mailbox hardware and key issues.

Strata Insurance

What does the strata’s insurance cover? The strata carries property insurance covering the common property and assets owned by the strata corporation — roads, shared utilities, common structures, and similar assets. This coverage does not extend to the interiors of individual homes, personal belongings, or improvements you’ve made to your lot.

What am I responsible for insuring? As a homeowner, you are responsible for your own homeowner’s policy covering your home, contents, liability, and any improvements you’ve made. Your insurer should be aware you are in a bareland strata.

What happens if a strata insurance deductible applies to a loss on my lot? If the strata’s insurer pays out a claim and a deductible applies, the strata may charge that deductible back to the owner responsible for the loss. Deductible amounts vary by loss type and change with each annual policy renewal. The current insurance certificate — including all deductible amounts — is available to owners through the owner portal at colyvan.condoweb.app.

We recommend sharing the current certificate with your personal insurance broker so they can advise you on appropriate coverage.

Still have a question?

Contact Colyvan Pacific at 250-754-4001 or email council@longlakeheights.ca.

For owner-specific matters — account information, strata documents, maintenance requests — log in to the owner portal at colyvan.condoweb.app.