Duncan unsightly property rules and how to report
How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Duncan?
Short answer
Report an unsightly or overgrown property in the City of Duncan through the City's online Issue Reporting Form. The Good Neighbour Bylaw requires owners and occupiers to keep property free of rubbish and derelict vehicles, with grass at 20 cm or less; the City can order the work done and bill the owner.
Key facts
| What counts | An owner or occupier must not let property become or stay "unsightly": accumulated rubbish, discarded materials or graffiti; holey, rotting or rusting fences; dead or neglected landscaping; decaying buildings. Also banned: grass over 20 cm, overgrown trees or hedges, noxious weeds, dilapidated structures, and wrecked or inoperative vehicles, trailers or boats (unless lawfully permitted).Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 3156, 2017, s. 2 (Unsightly), s. 9.1.1, 9.2.3, 9.2.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo owner or occupier of property shall cause, permit or allow such property to become or remain unsightly. (a) the accumulation of filth, discarded materials or rubbish, or graffiti; (c) landscaping that is dead, characterized by uncontrolled growth or lack of maintenance, or is damaged; shall maintain it at a height of not more than 20 centimetres that is in a wrecked, discarded, dismantled or in an inoperative condition |
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| How to report | Use the City's online Issue Reporting Form; a Bylaw Enforcement Officer typically responds within three business days. For urgent health or safety matters call 250-746-6126. The City suggests first trying to resolve it with the neighbour.Bylaw Enforcement, How to Make a Complaint · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingcomplaints can be registered through the City’s Issue Reporting Form where the infraction will be logged and responded to by a Bylaw Enforcement Officer (typically within three business days) For urgent matters where public health or safety could be jeopardized, please contact the office at 250-746-6126. attempt to resolve their issues before registering a complaint |
| What happens next | The City aims for voluntary compliance first. An officer may serve an Order to Comply stating the problem and a deadline. If the owner misses it, the City may enter, do the work and charge the owner; if unpaid 30 days after the invoice, the cost can be added to the property tax roll.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 3156, 2017, s. 10.1, 10.3, 10.5, 10.6; Bylaw Enforcement · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingthe Bylaw Enforcement Officer may issue to such person an Order to Comply with the requirements of this Bylaw. the deadline for remedying the unsightly nature of the property enter the real property and bring about such compliance at the cost of the defaulting owner direct that the amount of the cost be added to the property tax roll resolve complaints through education and voluntary compliance |
| Fine | Bylaw notice: allowing property to become unsightly $100 ($75 if paid within 14 days, $125 after 28 days). Hazardous material accumulation $200; illegal dumping $475. Municipal ticket: not listed for unsightly property itself; dilapidated structures $3,000, wrecked vehicle or equipment $1,000, hazardous materials $3,000, dumping $1,000.Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3200 (PDF, consolidated June 8, 2026), Schedule A, Good Neighbour Bylaw s. 9.1.1 to 9.1.3; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 3189, 2018, Schedule B, Good Neighbour Bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAllow property to become unsightly $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 YES Accumulation of hazardous materials $200.00 $150.00 $250.00 YES Illegal dumping of rubbish $475.00 $475.00 $475.00 NO Failure to keep property clear of dilapidated structures 9.2.1 $3,000.00 Park or store wrecked vehicle or equipment 9.2.3 $1,000.00 Accumulation of hazardous materials 9.1.2 $3,000.00 Illegal dumping of rubbish 9.1.3 $1,000.00 |
| Bylaw | Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 3156, 2017Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 3156, 2017, s. 1 (Title) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited as the “Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 3156, 2017.” |
How it works
Under Part 9 of the Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 3156, no owner or occupier may let property become or stay unsightly. That means accumulated rubbish, discarded materials or graffiti; rotting or rusting fences; dead or neglected landscaping; and decaying buildings.
Steps
- Try talking to the neighbour first, as the City suggests.
- If that does not work, submit the Issue Reporting Form at duncan.ca/issue-reporting with the address and what you saw. The City keeps details about the complainant confidential.
- The City aims for voluntary compliance first. An officer may serve an Order to Comply with a deadline. If it is missed, the City may do the work and charge the owner; if the bill is unpaid 30 days after the invoice, the cost can be added to the property tax roll.
Good to know
- Also banned: grass over 20 cm, overgrown trees or hedges, noxious weeds, dilapidated structures, and wrecked or inoperative vehicles, trailers or boats unless lawfully permitted.
- Repeat calls (more than one in 24 hours or two in 12 months) can bring a nuisance abatement fee after written notice.
- Bylaw notices (Bylaw No. 3200): unsightly property $100 ($75 if paid within 14 days, $125 after 28 days); hazardous material accumulation $200; illegal dumping $475.
- Municipal tickets (Bylaw No. 3189): none is listed for unsightly property itself. Dilapidated structures are $3,000, a wrecked vehicle or equipment $1,000, hazardous materials $3,000 and dumping $1,000.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
North Cowichan · Ladysmith · North Saanich · Lake Cowichan · Sidney · Central Saanich
Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 3156, 2017 (PDF), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3200 (PDF, consolidated June 8, 2026), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 3189, 2018 (PDF), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Enforcement, City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
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.