North Cowichan warmly welcomes well-organized events that contribute to the economic and cultural vibrancy of the region. The aim is to ensure events across the Cowichan Valley are safe, fun, and memorable for the entire community. Organizers are encouraged to familiarise themselves early with permit requirements and begin the application process well in advance.
Requirements at the start of planning
Early planning and preparation help to set a solid foundation for a successful, well-supported event in North Cowichan. The following requirements are in place to ensure sufficient review time, proper documentation to minimize risk and cost, protect your event date and schedule, and support compliance with municipal regulations (traffic planning, etc.).
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Submit application early | Event applications, including a site plan, must be submitted at least 12 weeks before the event. |
| Include a site plan | Attach a site plan (hand-drawn acceptable). This plan defines your event layout and must be adhered to unless modifications are approved by North Cowichan. |
| Liability insurance | Proof of liability insurance (minimum $5 million), naming North Cowichan as an additional insured, is mandatory for any event on municipal property. Proof of insurance must be submitted no later than 21 days before the event. |
| Submit documentation in time | After approval, submit a Facility Use Agreement (when applicable), equipment use bond, key deposit and other additional documents requested within 10 business days. |
| Hold event dates | North Cowichan holds proposed dates for 14 days, allowing time to complete forms and provide required documentation |
Organizer responsibilities
Book a municipal facility
Fuller Lake Arena and the Cowichan Aquatic Centre are available for special event bookings.
Contact them directly to book:
- Fuller Lake Area, 250-246-3811, ice@northcowichan.ca
- Cowichan Aquatic Centre, 250-746-7665, aquatics@northcowichan.ca
Tourism Cowichan
Once your permit has been approved by North Cowichan, event organizers are encouraged to submit event details to Tourism Cowichan for promotional opportunities.
Filming in North Cowichan
Film Cowichan (which operates under Economic Development Cowichan) is your first point of contact about filming in North Cowichan. As Film Cowichan processes requests, they will connect North Cowichan staff with applicants about next steps, and we will let you know if a special event application is required.
Contact
Phone: 250-746-3106
Fax: 250-746-3143
Email: specialevents@northcowichan.ca