Adistrict municipality is a type ofmunicipal classification used in theCanadian province ofBritish Columbia. District municipalities are generally larger in geographic size and have population densities that are lower compared to the province's other classifications – cities, towns, and villages.^[1] Of British Columbia's 161 municipalities,^[2] 48 are classified as district municipalities.^[3]

District municipalities can be incorporated under the authority of British Columbia'sLocal Government Act.^[4] In order for a municipality to be classified as a district municipality, its geographic area must be greater than 800 hectares (2,000 acres) and its population density must be lower than 5 residents per hectare (or 500/km²); there is no population requirement.^[4] These classification requirements are not strictly applied however as five district municipalities –Esquimalt,North Vancouver,Oak Bay,Saanich andWest Vancouver – have higher population densities.^[1][3]

According to Canada's2021 Census of Population, the largest district municipality by population in British Columbia isLangley, with 132,603 residents, and the smallest is theWells, with 218 residents. The largest district municipality by land area isNorthern Rockies, which spans 84,759.31 km² (32,725.75 sq mi), while the smallest isUcluelet, at 6.48 km² (2.50 sq mi).^[3] The first municipality to incorporate as a district municipality wasNorth Cowichan on June 18, 1873, while the province's newest is Northern Rockies, which incorporated on February 6, 2009.^[5][6]

Three district municipalities – Esquimalt, Langley, andSpallumcheen – are branded as townships in their official corporate names.^[6] Townships are a former municipal classification that are now classified as district municipalities.^[7] Also, although branded as aregional municipality in its official corporate name, the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality is classified as a district municipality.^[5]

All district municipalities have elected councils.^[4] The 48 district municipalities are governed by a total of 324 elected officials including 48 mayors and 276 councillors.^[8]Invermere has the smallest district municipal council at four elected officials while Langley and Saanich both have nine elected officials each.^[8] In addition to the provision of municipal services,^[7] theLocal Government Act empowers district municipalities the ability to deliver drainage projects.^[1]

• Abbotsfield – The District of Abbotsford amalgamated with the District of Matsqui on January 1, 1995 to form the City of Abbotsford.^[11]
• Brocklehurst – Brocklehurst amalgamated with the City ofKamloops on May 1, 1973 shortly after incorporating as a district municipality on June 22, 1971.^[12]
• Burnaby – The Corporation of the District of Burnaby held the district municipality classification for exactly 110 years from incorporation on September 22, 1892 to reclassification as a city on September 22, 1992.^[13]
• Chilliwack – The District of Chilliwack was formed on January 1, 1980 following the amalgamation of the original City of Chilliwack with the Corporation of the Township of Chilliwhack.^[14]
• Coquitlam – Coquitlam held the district municipality classification for just over 100 years from incorporation on July 25, 1891 to reclassification as a city on January 1, 1992.^[15]
• Delta – The City of Delta was classified as a district municipality prior to September 22, 2017.^[16]
• Dufferin – Dufferin amalgamated with the City of Kamloops on May 1, 1973 shortly after incorporating as a district municipality on April 23, 1971.^[17]
• Maple Ridge – The City of Maple Ridge was classified as a district municipality prior to September 12, 2014.^[18]
• Matsqui – The Corporation of the District of Matsqui was incorporated on November 26, 1892. It then amalgamated with the District of Abbotsford on January 1, 1995.^[19]
• Mission – The City of Mission was classified as a district municipality prior to March 29, 2021.^[20]
• Penticton – Penticton held the district municipality classification from incorporation on January 1, 1909 to reclassification as a city on May 10, 1948.^[21]
• Pitt Meadows – Pitt Meadows held the district municipality classification from incorporation on April 1, 1914 to reclassification as a city on January 1, 2007.^[22]
• Richmond – Originally incorporated on November 10, 1879, Richmond held the district municipality classification prior to incorporating as a city on December 3, 1990.^[23]
• Salmon Arm – Salmon Arm held the district municipality classification for just shy of 100 years from incorporation on May 15, 1905 to reclassification as a city on May 14, 2005.^[24]
• Sumas – The District of Sumas amalgamated with the Village of Abbotsford on November 17, 1972 to create the District of Abbotsford.^[25]
• Surrey – Surrey held the district municipality classification for nearly 114 years from incorporation on November 10, 1879 to reclassification as a city on September 11, 1993.^[26]
• Terrace – Originally a village, Terrace held the district municipality classification from incorporation on January 1, 1960 to reclassification as a city on January 22, 1987.^[27]
• White Rock – The City of White Rock was classified as a district municipality prior to June 26, 2015.^[28]

• List of communities in British Columbia
• List of municipalities in British Columbia
  • List of cities in British Columbia
  • List of towns in British Columbia
  • List of villages in British Columbia
• List of regional districts in British Columbia

• District municipalities in British Columbia
• Lists of populated places in British Columbia

• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata