Coldstream unsightly property rules and how to report

How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Coldstream?

Coldstream, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Coldstream, report an unsightly property to the Bylaw Compliance Officer at 250-550-1503 or bylaw@coldstream.ca. The Unsightly Premises Bylaw bans rubbish, wrecked vehicles, brush and noxious weeds. A bylaw notice is $100; a municipal ticket is $50.

Key facts

What counts	Owners and occupiers must not let water, rubbish or noxious, offensive or unwholesome matter collect around their premises, or let the property become or remain unsightly. 'Unsightly' includes filth, discarded or disused materials, garbage, dismantled trailers, boats, machinery, brush, and wrecked vehicles. They must keep property clear of brush, trees and noxious weeds, control caterpillars and insects, and remove graffiti. Exterior lights must not disturb neighbours.District of Coldstream Unsightly Premises Bylaw No. 1129, 1993, s. 2, s. 3, s. 4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No owner or occupier of real property shall allow such property to become or to remain Unsightly includes, but is not limited to, filth, discarded or disused materials or rubbish, any and all manner of garbage; noxious, offensive or unwholesome matters; unused or dismantled shall keep their property clear of brush, trees, noxious weeds or other growths. No person shall place graffiti on walls, fences, or elsewhere on or adjacent to a public place.
How to report	Contact the Bylaw Compliance Officer at 250-550-1503 or bylaw@coldstream.ca, or use the District's online contact form. Service is during regular office hours, with a response within 10 business days.Bylaw Compliance; Contact Us, Contact the District · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Cory Bashuk, Bylaw Compliance Officer 250-550-1503 Email bylaw@coldstream.ca Bylaw Compliance services are provided during regular office hours and will be responded to within 10 business days. Please describe your specific inquiry or request and any additional information that will help us respond to you as quickly as possible.
What happens next	If the owner or occupier does not remove the accumulation, graffiti, brush or insects, the District may enter and do the work at the owner's expense. A charge unpaid on December 31 is added to the property taxes as taxes in arrears. Inspectors may enter property at reasonable times to check compliance.District of Coldstream Unsightly Premises Bylaw No. 1129, 1993, s. 5, s. 6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording the municipality, by its employees or others, may enter and effect the removal at the expense of the owner or occupier defaulting, and the charge for doing so, if unpaid on December 31st in any Every Inspector is hereby authorized to enter upon any lands and premises in the
Fine	Bylaw notice: $100 ($50 if paid early; $150 late). Municipal ticket: $50. On conviction in court: $100 to $2,000 plus costs.District of Coldstream Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1636, 2013, Appendix 9; District of Coldstream Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 1598, 2012, Schedule 10; District of Coldstream Unsightly Premises Bylaw No. 1129, 1993, s. 7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 3.(3) Property become or remain unsightly $100 $50 $150 Yes 3. Property become or remain unsightly 3.(3) $50.00 to a fine not less than one hundred dollars ($100), and not more than two
Bylaw	District of Coldstream Unsightly Premises Bylaw No. 1129, 1993District of Coldstream Unsightly Premises Bylaw No. 1129, 1993, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as “The District of Coldstream Unsightly Premises Bylaw

How it works

The Unsightly Premises Bylaw 1129 says owners and occupiers must not let water, rubbish or noxious, offensive or unwholesome matter collect around their premises, or let the property become or remain unsightly. "Unsightly" includes filth, discarded or disused materials, garbage, dismantled trailers, boats, machinery, brush and wrecked vehicles.

Owners and occupiers must also keep property clear of brush, trees and noxious weeds, control caterpillars and insects, and remove graffiti. Exterior lights must not disturb neighbours.

Steps

Contact the Bylaw Compliance Officer at 250-550-1503 or bylaw@coldstream.ca, or use the District's online contact form.
Give the address and describe the problem.
An officer follows up. Service is during regular office hours, with a response within 10 business days.

Good to know

If the owner or occupier does not remove the accumulation, graffiti, brush or insects, the District may enter and do the work at the owner's expense. A charge unpaid on December 31 is added to the property taxes as taxes in arrears.
Inspectors may enter property at reasonable times to check compliance.
The bylaw text sets no notice period or time to comply. Ask Bylaw Compliance what applies.
Two ticket systems list the offence at different amounts. A bylaw notice is $100 ($50 if paid early, $150 late); a municipal ticket is $50. On conviction in court the penalty is $100 to $2,000 plus costs.