You’ve probably seen your neighbour out on a sunny weekend, hose in one hand, pressure washer in the other, blasting years of dirt and grime off their driveway. It’s satisfying to watch, right?
But wait — if you live in Vancouver, you might be wondering:
“Is pressure washing the driveway even legal?“
The answer is: Yes, but there are important rules you need to follow.
And if you don’t, you could end up facing fines — or worse, harming the environment.
Let’s break down what’s allowed, what’s not, and how to get your driveway cleaned the right way without breaking the law.
What the City of Vancouver Says About Pressure Washing
The City of Vancouver has bylaws in place that limit what you can do when it comes to releasing water and chemicals into storm drains.
Under the Sewer and Watercourse Bylaw (No. 8093):
It is prohibited to discharge any water containing soap, detergents, oil, fuel, or debris into the city’s stormwater system.
Why? Because in Vancouver, storm drains flow directly into the nearest creek, stream, or ocean — untreated. That means any dirt, oil, or chemicals you spray off your driveway could end up harming local salmon habitats or polluting Burrard Inlet.
So… Is Pressure Washing Itself Illegal?
No — pressure washing isn’t illegal.
But how you do it makes all the difference.
Here’s What’s NOT Allowed:
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Using soap, degreaser, or any chemical cleaners
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Letting dirty water or sediment enter storm drains
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Pressure washing driveways with oil stains or chemical spills
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Washing paint, concrete slurry, or sealants into gutters
What IS Allowed:
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Using clean water only (no chemicals)
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Sweeping up debris before you wash
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Diverting or collecting runoff water
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Hiring a professional who follows Vancouver’s environmental codes
That’s where we come in. At Quick Sidekick, we know these rules inside and out — and we follow them on every pressure washing job.
Check out our exterior cleaning service to see how we handle cleaning legally and safely.
What If You Ignore the Rules?
If you pressure wash your driveway without following bylaw guidelines, you could receive:
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Warnings from City of Vancouver enforcement officers
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Fines ranging from $250 to $10,000, depending on the severity
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Charges for environmental harm if pollutants enter the storm system
It’s not worth the risk — especially when there’s a safe, legal way to do it.
How Quick Sidekick Cleans Driveways — Without Breaking the Law
When we handle driveway pressure washing in Vancouver, we use:
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Clean water only (or biodegradable products with water capture)
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Pre-sweeping and debris containment
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Runoff control systems to keep storm drains clean
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High-efficiency washers with controlled flow to reduce water usage
We follow Metro Vancouver Best Practices and provide full documentation when needed for property managers, stratas, or real estate listings.
Need to clean your sidewalks, patios, or siding too? We offer exterior cleaning packages across Vancouver and nearby cities.
Real-World Example: A Client in East Van
A homeowner in East Vancouver called us after getting a warning notice for pressure washing their oil-stained driveway. They had used degreaser, and the runoff had entered the storm drain across the street.
We came in, swept and pre-treated the area safely, collected all runoff, and cleaned the surface using permitted methods. They avoided further fines — and the driveway looked brand new.
Frequently Asked Questions — Pressure Washing Driveways in Vancouver
No, but you must not let soapy or dirty water enter the storm drain. Use clean water and collect runoff where possible.
Not if it will run into storm drains. Most cleaners are prohibited unless you collect and dispose of the runoff properly.
For residential use, no permit is required — but you must comply with stormwater bylaws.
We offer real estate-ready cleaning that’s safe, effective, and bylaw-compliant.
Yes — if contaminants enter city drains, you may be fined under the Sewer and Watercourse Bylaw.
Concrete, pavers, stone, brick, and other hard surfaces. We use soft washing for siding and wood.
Yes, and only when permitted. Most of our work is done with clean water and debris collection.
Most driveways take 1–2 hours depending on size and buildup.
Absolutely. We can combine driveway washing with siding cleaning, gutter clearing, or window cleaning.
We serve all of Greater Vancouver, including Burnaby, North Vancouver, Richmond, Coquitlam, and more.
