City Construction Project FAQs

• What are the hours of work permitted under the City Noise Bylaw?

  The City’s Noise Control bylaw permits construction between the hours of 7 am to 9 pm, Monday through Saturday and 9 am to 9 pm on Sundays and holidays.  

• Does the City financially compensate businesses for loss of revenue experienced during construction projects?

  Frequently, this question comes into play, especially for larger projects that take a longer time to complete. Disruption is an inevitable part of construction work that results in improvements the community can enjoy.

  A fundamental duty of local government is to take care of community assets, which requires repair and replacement when an asset is at the end of its life.  Local governments do this work upon which we all rely on our behalf and there are specific principles why municipalities don't compensate businesses or residents for disruption during capital project construction or maintenance.

  • Public infrastructure projects serve the greater good and the legal principle of "no compensation for public inconvenience" is well established in Canadian law.
  • If residents or businesses adjacent to each capital project were compensated for loss, this would divert funds and resources from essential services and infrastructure improvements.

  Other than financial compensation, municipalities frequently provide the following supports:

  • Communication and Planning: Keep business owners informed about project timelines and potential disruptions; taking the lead in media relations.
  • Mitigation Measures: Strategies to minimize the impact on businesses, such as adjusting work schedules or providing alternative access routes.
  • Promotional Support: Assist with marketing efforts to attract customers during construction periods, for example providing free parking at City-owned lots, or signage indicating businesses are open.

• Why is this construction project happening?

  City construction projects address aging infrastructure, safety improvements, capacity upgrades or community development goals. Specific needs vary by project (e.g., replacing water mains, adding bike lanes, repaving roads, revitalizing an area). 

• How are project decisions made?

  Decisions are made based on three factors: 

  1. Technical Requirements - what infrastructure best meets the area's needs, where it can fit, and what impacts it will have to the immediate and surrounding area 
  2. City Policies - how City initiatives and activities are implemented 
  3. Public Input - local knowledge of the community 

• Will my property be affected?

  If you're close to the work area, you may have some temporary driveway access restrictions, utility interruptions or increased noise and dust. We will let you know in advance when possible. 

• Who do I contact if my property is damaged during construction?

  Often the contractor is responsible for the conditions of the site and for any damage caused during construction.  You can either contact the contractor directly or contact the City at legislative.servicesoffice@nanaimo.ca and fill out a claim form. Make sure to take photos and provide as much detail as possible on what happened.

• How long will construction take?

  Timelines vary by project. We usually provide estimated start and end dates, but weather, contractor availability or unforeseen issues can cause delays. General timelines will be displayed on the signage on site or on the project website. 

• Why does work sometimes seem to stop for days?

  Often delays can happen between phases due to material deliveries, utility coordination or weather conditions. We may also pause work while crews wait for inspection approvals before moving ahead. 

• Will roads be closed or traffic rerouted?

  Maybe. It is common to close local and neighbourhood roads for construction. We will make sure access to homes is maintained. Major roads may require lane closures or detours may be put in place. We will put up signage and detour maps in advance . If possible, it is best to avoid construction and take a different route.  

• Can I still park on the street?

  It depends on the work that’s being done. We may need to close it off in work zones for safety purposes. If we do, we will put up temporary “No Parking” signs in advance.  

• Will I be able to access my home or business?

  We will maintain access for you whenever possible. We will try to put in temporary detours or alternate access routes when we can. However, sometimes during construction, access may be temporarily interrupted. When this is the case we will give you advance notice.

• Will trees or landscaping be removed?

  Trees, shrubs or landscaping in the construction zone may need to be trimmed or removed if they interfere with the work. We usually assess this beforehand and, when possible, tree removals are approved by an arborist. 

• If I have a fence or landscaping features within City property (right-of-way), will I be compensated for it?

  Structures or landscaping (e.g. fences, hedges, trees, retaining walls, decorative items such as lighting, rocks, planters, etc.) that are placed within the City’s right-of-way are considered encroachments and are done at the owner's risk. This means no compensation will be provided if they are removed because they interfere with construction, unless there is an agreement in place. 

• Will water, sewer, or other services be interrupted?

  Maybe. But it will be temporary and, with the exception of emergency situations, we will give you advance notice. 

• What should I do if my utility service is disrupted without notice?

  Contact the city’s public works department (250-758-5222) or the emergency number listed on the project signage. 

• Will garbage and recycling still be collected during construction?

  Yes, but pickup times or locations may shift. In some cases, we’ll set up temporary collection zones and will let you know ahead of time where they are. 

• What measures are being taken to reduce dust, noise and vibration?

  Contractors follow municipal bylaws for noise, dust suppression and vibration monitoring. Water trucks, barriers and work-hour limits are common things used to control these types of disturbances. 

• Is the site safe for pedestrians and children?

  Active construction zones are dangerous. Anyone not working on the site should stay out of fenced or signed work areas and follow posted pedestrian detours.

• What if there’s an emergency and emergency vehicles need access?

  Emergency access is always maintained. The City and contractors coordinate closely with police, fire and ambulance services to make sure routes remain open or are quickly cleared when needed. 

• Can I report a safety concern or construction issue?

  Yes. Contact constructioninfo@nanaimo.ca and provide photos and details if possible.  For urgent issues outside of business hours, call public works at 250-758-5222.