Bowen Island unsightly property rules and how to report
How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Bowen Island?
Short answer
Bowen Island's Real Property Maintenance Bylaw requires owners to keep property from becoming unsightly or a risk to health and safety. To report a problem, call Bylaw Services at 604-947-4255 ext. 2 or email bylaw@bimbc.ca. The first bylaw notice is $100.
Key facts
| What counts | The owner or occupier must keep the property from being a risk to public health and safety, must keep it from becoming unsightly, and must not let rubbish or noxious, offensive or unwholesome matter collect. Unsightly conditions include rubbish accumulations, more than one unlicensed vehicle not capable of operation (unless in an enclosed structure), auto parts, uncontained compost or manure piles, indoor furniture, bedding or appliances stored outside, dilapidated fences and graffiti.Real Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 174, 2006, Bowen Island Municipality, ss. 2, 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingMaintain such real property in a manner that prevents it from becoming unsightly Not permit rubbish or noxious, offensive or unwholesome matter of any kind to collect or More than one motor vehicle stored on the real property that are unlicensed and not Uncontained compost or manure piles Graffiti on fences, buildings or structures on the real property (g) Furniture (other than furniture designed specifically for outdoor use), bedding or appliances stored outside the premises; |
|---|---|
| How to report | Bylaw Services takes requests: phone 604-947-4255 ext 2 or email bylaw@bimbc.ca. Bylaw Services is 'request driven', so officers usually investigate in response to public requests.Bylaw Enforcement, Bowen Island Municipality; Parking Tickets and Violation Notices, Bowen Island Municipality, Questions? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBylaw Services is “request driven”, meaning that Bylaw Officers will usually investigate issues only in response to requests from the public. Please contact Bylaw Services by calling 604-947-4255 ext 2 or emailing bylaw@bimbc.ca |
| What happens next | An officer may order the owner or occupier to remove accumulated rubbish. If they do not, the municipality may enter and remove it at their expense, and unpaid charges on December 31 are added to the property taxes. A bylaw notice may be issued: pay or ask for adjudication within 14 days of receiving it. No fixed time to comply is set in the bylaw.Real Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 174, 2006, Bowen Island Municipality, ss. 4, 5, 11; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 196, 2008 (consolidated March 2026), Bowen Island Municipality, s. 6 Period for Paying or Disputing Notice · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingUpon order by any duly appointed officer of the Municipality may enter and effect such removal at the expense of the defaulting owner or occupier or agent If the penalty indicated on the Violation Notice is not paid within thirty (30) days of the issuance, a Summons may be issued a) A person who receives a bylaw notice must, within 14 days of the date on which the i) pay the penalty, or ii) request dispute adjudication, |
| Fine | Bylaw notice: $100 first offence ($75 if paid early, $125 late); $200 second ($175 early, $225 late); $500 further ($475 early, $500 late). Failure to obey an order has the same amounts.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 196, 2008 (consolidated March 2026), Bowen Island Municipality, Schedule AG; Real Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 174, 2006, Bowen Island Municipality, s. 11 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingFailure to Maintain – unsightly – first 3b 100.00 75.00 125.00 Failure to obey order – further contraventions 500.00 475.00 500.00 $100.00 for each violation of this Bylaw. $75.00 for each violation if paid within fourteen (14) days |
| Bylaw | Bowen Island Municipality Real Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 174, 2006Real Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 174, 2006, Bowen Island Municipality, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBowen Island Municipality Real Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 174, 2006 |
How it works
The Real Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 174, 2006 says the owner or occupier must keep the property from being a risk to public health and safety, must keep it from becoming unsightly, and must not let rubbish or noxious, offensive or unwholesome matter collect. Unsightly conditions include rubbish accumulations, more than one unlicensed vehicle not capable of operation (unless in an enclosed structure), auto parts, uncontained compost or manure piles, indoor furniture, bedding or appliances stored outside, dilapidated fences and graffiti. The list is not exhaustive, and some items are excused if not visible from a public highway or neighbouring property.
Steps
- Call Bylaw Services at 604-947-4255 ext. 2 or email bylaw@bimbc.ca with the address and what you see. Bylaw Services is "request driven", so officers usually investigate in response to public requests.
- An officer may order the owner or occupier to remove accumulated rubbish.
- If they do not, the Municipality may enter and remove it at their expense. Unpaid charges on December 31 are added to the property taxes.
Good to know
- Bylaw notice: $100 first offence, $200 second, $500 further. Failure to obey an order carries the same amounts.
- A notice can be paid or disputed within 14 days of receiving it.
- The bylaw also allows a fine of up to $1,000 on summary conviction (court).
- The bylaw sets no fixed time to comply. Most issues are resolved through voluntary compliance.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
West Vancouver · Gibsons · Lions Bay · District of North Vancouver · North Vancouver · Richmond
Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Real Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 174, 2006 (PDF), Bowen Island Municipality (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 196, 2008 (consolidated March 2026) (PDF), Bowen Island Municipality (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Enforcement, Bowen Island Municipality (read 2026-11-08)
- Parking Tickets and Violation Notices, Bowen Island Municipality (read 2026-11-08)
- Contact, Bowen Island Municipality (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.