Creston unsightly property rules and how to report

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

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

Short answer

In Creston, report an unsightly or overgrown property with the Town's Bylaw Complaint Form, online or at Town Hall. You must give your name, address and phone number; anonymous complaints are not accepted. Allowing an unsightly property is a $250 bylaw notice, and a lawn over 20 cm is $100.

Key facts

What counts	Owners and occupiers must not let refuse or standing water collect, or let the property become unsightly (accumulated refuse or brush, graffiti, rotting fences, dead or uncontrolled landscaping, decayed buildings). Lawns must be 20 cm or shorter. No wrecked or inoperative vehicles, trailers or boats unless the property may lawfully be used for that.Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1813, ss. 4 (Unsightly), 5.1, 5.4, 6.3, 6.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No Owner or Occupant of Property within the Municipality shall permit or allow the the accumulation of Refuse, brush, discarded materials, water or Graffiti; mow and maintain, at a height of not more than 20 centimetres, any lawn on the wrecked, discarded, dismantled or inoperative condition to be parked, stored or left on unless the Property may be lawfully used for that purpose
How to report	Complete a Bylaw Complaint Form (online or at Town Hall) with your name, address, phone number and a description. Anonymous complaints are not accepted.Complaints and Claims, Complaints and Claims page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording If you have a bylaw complaint complete a Bylaw Complaint Form. Anonymous complaints are not accepted.
What happens next	The Public Safety and Compliance Officer investigates and may issue a written warning (14 days to respond with a plan to fix), a fine or a compliance order. If the owner does not comply or win an appeal, the Town may issue a bylaw notice or do the work itself at the owner's cost.Complaints and Claims, Complaints and Claims page, Complaint Process; Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1813, ss. 7.3(d), 8.1, 9.1, 9.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording The Public Safety and Compliance Officer will open an investigation in relation to the complaint. A warning notice with directions to remedy the problem within a specified time frame give the Owner or Occupier fourteen (14) days after delivery of the Warning to by submitting to the Town Manager written reasons for appeal, prior to the carry out, in accordance with Section 17 of the Community Charter, the action may be recovered as a debt from the Owner or Occupier
Fine	Bylaw notice: allow an unsightly property $250 ($225 if paid within 14 days; $275 if paid late). Lawn over 20 cm $100 ($75, $125); inoperative vehicle, trailer or boat $150 ($125, $200).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1760, Schedule A, Property Maintenance Bylaw rows · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 1813 5.4 Allow unsightly property $250.00 $225.00 $275.00 Yes 1813 6.4(a) Allow growth in excess of 20 cm $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 Yes 1813 6.3 Equipment/inoperative vehicle $150.00 $125.00 $200.00 Yes
Bylaw	Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1813, 2015Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1813, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1813, 2015

How it works

The Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1813 requires owners and occupiers not to let refuse or standing water collect, or let the property become unsightly. Unsightly includes accumulated refuse or brush, graffiti, rotting fences, dead or uncontrolled landscaping and decayed buildings. Lawns must be 20 cm or shorter. Wrecked or inoperative vehicles, trailers or boats are not allowed unless the property may lawfully be used for that.

Steps

Fill in the Bylaw Complaint Form online or at Town Hall, with your name, address, phone number and a description. Complaints are not logged through the info@creston.ca email.
The Public Safety and Compliance Officer investigates and may issue a written warning (14 days to respond with a plan to fix), a fine or a compliance order.
If the owner does not comply or win an appeal, the Town may issue a bylaw notice or do the work itself at the owner's cost.

Good to know

Also required: removing dead, diseased or damaged trees and plants, keeping hedges from blocking sight lines or hydrants, keeping boulevards clear and mowed, and controlling pests and vermin.
Yard waste counts as refuse unless it is a structured, well-maintained compost pile.
Unpaid clean-up costs not paid by December 31 can be added to the property taxes.
Other bylaw notices: refuse or water collecting $100; graffiti $75; litter $75; pest infestation $250.
The Town's website gives no bylaw complaint phone number. Call Town Hall at 250-428-2214 to ask.