Campbell River unsightly property rules and how to report

How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Campbell River?

Campbell River, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Call Campbell River Bylaw Enforcement at 250-286-5776 or email bylaw@campbellriver.ca. Under the Public Nuisance Bylaw, owners must not let property become unsightly or collect rubbish, and must keep ground cover under 30 cm. If an owner ignores an order, the City can do the work and bill them.

Key facts

What counts	Owners must not let property become or stay unsightly, or let water, rubbish, discarded materials or noxious, offensive or unwholesome matter collect around it. Also required: keep property clear of unkempt brush, trees and growths, keep ground cover under 30 cm, prevent infestations of caterpillars and noxious or destructive insects, remove unsightly accumulations when ordered, and keep buildings to maintenance standards and the general appearance of similar properties nearby. Graffiti must be removed (s. 7.2).Public Nuisance Bylaw No. 3543, 2014 (consolidated), ss. 7.14-7.17; Public Nuisance Bylaw No. 3543, 2014 (consolidated), s. 7.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording the Real Property to become or remain unsightly or permit water, rubbish, Discarded keep the Real Property clear of unsightly and unkempt brush, trees, or other keep ground cover vegetation from exceeding 30 cm in height; and maintain the general appearance and repair of the Real Every owner of Real Property shall remove Graffiti
How to report	Call 250-286-5776 or email bylaw@campbellriver.ca. Include your name, contact details, the address, and a detailed description with time and date if applicable. Anonymous complaints are not accepted.Bylaw Enforcement, Make a Complaint · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording To make a complaint related to a public nuisance, call 250-286-5776 or email bylaw@campbellriver.ca. We do not accept anonymous complaints. Detailed description of complaint (including time / date if applicable)
What happens next	If an owner does not comply, Council may declare that the property must be brought into compliance within a set time, and a Bylaw Enforcement Officer issues a notice. If the owner still does not comply, the City may enter and do the work at the owner's cost. Unpaid 30 days after a demand, the City may sue for the debt; unpaid by December 31 it may be added to the property taxes. The owner may ask Council to reconsider within 14 days.Public Nuisance Bylaw No. 3543, 2014 (consolidated), ss. 7.20-7.23 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Council may make a declaration requiring that the owner or at the cost of the defaulting owner or other responsible Person. the City may direct that the amount of the cost be added applying in writing for such reconsideration within 14 days of receipt of
Fine	Municipal ticket: unsightly property or accumulations of rubbish and discarded materials $200 (s. 7.14(a)); building not meeting maintenance standards $200; unsightly vegetation, ground cover over 30 cm, insect infestation, or failure to remove discarded materials when required $150 each; failure to maintain property to neighbourhood standards $150.Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw No. 3322, 2007 (consolidated to Bylaw 4003, 2025), Sch. 18 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Unsightly property or permit accumulations of water, rubbish, Failure to keep property clear of unsightly vegetation Ground cover vegetation exceeds 30 cm Failure to maintain or repair Real Property to neighbourhood
Bylaw	Public Nuisance Bylaw No. 3543, 2014 (Part 7, Property Maintenance)Public Nuisance Bylaw No. 3543, 2014 (consolidated), title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording PUBLIC NUISANCE BYLAW 3543, 2014 Consolidated Version City of Campbell River \| Public Nuisance Bylaw No 3543, 2014 Consolidated to Bylaw 3964, 2024 1

How it works

Under Part 7 of the Public Nuisance Bylaw, owners in Campbell River must not let property become or stay unsightly, or let water, rubbish, discarded materials or noxious, offensive or unwholesome matter collect around it. They must also keep property clear of unkempt brush, trees and growths, keep ground cover under 30 cm, prevent infestations of caterpillars and noxious or destructive insects, and remove unsightly accumulations when ordered. Buildings must be kept to maintenance standards and the general appearance of similar properties nearby. Graffiti must be removed.

Steps

Call 250-286-5776 or email bylaw@campbellriver.ca.
Give your name and contact details, the address, and a detailed description with time and date if applicable. Anonymous complaints are not accepted.
If an owner does not comply, Council may declare that the property must be brought into compliance within a set time, and a Bylaw Enforcement Officer issues a notice.
If the owner still does not comply, the City may enter and do the work at the owner's cost.

Good to know

Unpaid costs 30 days after a demand can be sued for as a debt; if unpaid by December 31 they may be added to the property taxes.
The owner may ask Council to reconsider within 14 days.
Repeat nuisance properties can also be declared a Nuisance Property under Bylaw No. 4002, 2025, with a $250 charge per City or RCMP attendance.