{"title":"Esquimalt unsightly property rules and how to report","question":"How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Esquimalt?","slug":"unsightly-property","place":{"path":"ca/bc/esquimalt","name":"Esquimalt","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"bylaws-and-complaints","name":"Bylaws, noise and complaints"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"Township of Esquimalt","url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca"},"short_answer":"In Esquimalt, owners and occupiers must keep property free of accumulated refuse, graffiti, weeds, lawns over 25 cm and derelict vehicles. Report a problem to Bylaw Enforcement in writing, using the online form, with your name and phone number.","aliases":["overgrown yard esquimalt","messy property esquimalt","report neighbour property esquimalt","graffiti esquimalt"],"cost":"No cost to report. Bylaw notice: unsightly or untidy property $250 ($200 if paid early).","how_long":"The officer's notice sets a reasonable time to fix the problem.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Bylaw enforcement","value":"250-414-7161","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."},{"type":"email","label":"Bylaw complaints (in writing)","value":"bylaw@esquimalt.ca"},{"type":"online","label":"Online bylaw complaint form","value":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/government-bylaws/bylaws-enforcement/bylaw-complaint"},{"type":"mail","label":"Bylaw Officer, Esquimalt Municipal Hall","value":"1229 Esquimalt Road, Esquimalt BC V9A 3P1"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Bylaw Complaint, Township of Esquimalt","url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/government-bylaws/bylaws-enforcement/bylaw-complaint"},{"title":"Maintenance of Property and Nuisance Regulation Bylaw 2014, No. 2826 (consolidated August 2024) (PDF)","url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/maintenance-property-and-nuisance-regulation-bylaw-consolidated"}],"related":[{"slug":"noise-rules","title":"Esquimalt noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/noise-rules/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Esquimalt bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/bylaw-fines/"},{"slug":"rv-boat-trailer-parking","title":"Esquimalt RV, boat and trailer parking rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/rv-boat-trailer-parking/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/view-royal","name":"View Royal","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/unsightly-property/"},{"place":"ca/bc/victoria","name":"Victoria","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/unsightly-property/"},{"place":"ca/bc/colwood","name":"Colwood","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/unsightly-property/"},{"place":"ca/bc/saanich","name":"Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/unsightly-property/"},{"place":"ca/bc/oak-bay","name":"Oak Bay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/unsightly-property/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langford","name":"Langford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/unsightly-property/"}],"topic":{"title":"Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/unsightly-property/"},"facts":{"what_counts":{"label":"What counts","value":"Owners and occupiers must not let refuse or noxious, offensive or unwholesome items accumulate, or let land become or remain untidy or unsightly; no unsanitary or fire/health hazards; no dilapidated or collapsed buildings; no graffiti visible from outside; no weeds; lawns not over 25 cm (10 in.) or the neighbourhood standard; no derelict vehicles or wrecked/dismantled trailers or boats stored on the land.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/maintenance-property-and-nuisance-regulation-bylaw-consolidated","title":"Maintenance of Property and Nuisance Regulation Bylaw 2014, No. 2826 (consolidated August 2024) (PDF)","section":"s. 8, 10, 11","quotes":["No Owner or Occupier shall cause or permit Refuse or noxious, offensive or","No Owner or Occupier shall cause or permit the Land of the Owner or Occupier to","become or remain an untidy or Unsightly Property.","not beyond 25 cm. (10 in.) in height.","Derelict Vehicle or parts of a Derelict Vehicle"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_report":{"label":"How to report","value":"Send a written bylaw complaint: online form, hard-copy form by email (bylaw@esquimalt.ca), mail to Bylaw Officer, 1229 Esquimalt Road, Esquimalt BC V9A 3P1, or drop off at that address. Give your name, address, daytime phone, and details; without contact details the officer may take no action except for health or safety issues. Phone 250-414-7161.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/government-bylaws/bylaws-enforcement/bylaw-complaint","title":"Bylaw Complaint, Township of Esquimalt","section":"Bylaw Complaint","quotes":["Bylaw complaints need to be submitted in writing.","By mail to: Bylaw Officer, 1229 Esquimalt Road, Esquimalt, BC V9A 3P1","no action may be taken by the Bylaw Officer, except in the case of alleged health or safety issues."]},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/government-bylaws/bylaws-enforcement/contacts","title":"Bylaw Enforcement Contacts, Township of Esquimalt","section":"Bylaw Enforcement Contacts","quotes":["For emergencies, call 9-1-1. Wayne Giesbrecht, Bylaw Management Officer Phone: 250-414-7161 Fax: 250-414-7111 Please review our Bylaw Enforcement Policy."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"process":{"label":"What happens next","value":"The Bylaw Enforcement Officer may give the owner or occupier a written notice setting out what is wrong, what is required and a reasonable time to fix it. If not fixed, the matter may go to Council for an order to comply (the owner may be heard first). If the order is not met, the Township may do the work and bill the owner; unpaid costs after December 31 may be added to the property taxes. Tickets (bylaw notices) can also be issued.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/maintenance-property-and-nuisance-regulation-bylaw-consolidated","title":"Maintenance of Property and Nuisance Regulation Bylaw 2014, No. 2826 (consolidated August 2024) (PDF)","section":"s. 40-46","quotes":["may, by written notice, require the Owner or Occupier of the Land or Building","a reasonable time within which the repairs, work or other actions are to be","the matter may proceed to Council for an order","opportunity to be heard by Council","may be added to the property taxes and recovered"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: permit accumulation of refuse, or unsightly or untidy property $250 ($200 early, $300 late); graffiti $300 ($250 early, $350 late); derelict vehicle/boat/trailer on land $200; weeds or overgrown lawn $200 ($150 early, $250 late).","short":"Notice $250 ($200 early, $300 late)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/2026-09-bylaw-2839-bylaw-notice-enforcement-consolidation","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2014, No. 2839 (consolidated September 2026) (PDF)","section":"Schedule M, s. 8, 10, 11","quotes":["8(1) Owner/Occupier permit accumulation $250.00 $200.00 $300.00","8(2) Owner/Occupier permit to become or remain $250.00 $200.00 $300.00","8(5) Place/permit graffiti $300.00 $250.00 $350.00","10(2) Overgrown lawn $200.00 $150.00 $250.00","11(1) Have derelict vehicle/boats/trailer on land $200.00 $150.00 $250.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Maintenance of Property and Nuisance Regulation Bylaw, 2014, No. 2826","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/maintenance-property-and-nuisance-regulation-bylaw-consolidated","title":"Maintenance of Property and Nuisance Regulation Bylaw 2014, No. 2826 (consolidated August 2024) (PDF)","section":"Title","quotes":["Maintenance of Property and Nuisance","Regulation Bylaw, 2014, No. 2826"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":5,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe [Maintenance of Property and Nuisance Regulation Bylaw No. 2826](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/maintenance-property-and-nuisance-regulation-bylaw-consolidated) says owners and occupiers must not:\n\n- let refuse or noxious, offensive or unwholesome items accumulate, or let land become or stay untidy or unsightly;\n- allow unsanitary conditions or fire or health hazards;\n- leave dilapidated or collapsed buildings;\n- leave graffiti visible from outside;\n- allow weeds, or lawns longer than 25 cm (10 in.) or the neighbourhood standard;\n- store derelict vehicles or wrecked or dismantled trailers or boats on the land.\n\nNon-residential land may store materials tidily if a lawful use needs them.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Send a written complaint: use the [online form](https://www.esquimalt.ca/government-bylaws/bylaws-enforcement/bylaw-complaint), email a hard-copy form to bylaw@esquimalt.ca, mail it to Bylaw Officer, 1229 Esquimalt Road, Esquimalt BC V9A 3P1, or drop it off at that address.\n2. Give your name, address, daytime phone and details. Without contact details, the officer may take no action except on health or safety issues.\n3. You can also phone Bylaw Enforcement at 250-414-7161.\n\n## What happens next\n\nThe Bylaw Enforcement Officer may give the owner or occupier a written notice saying what is wrong, what is required and a reasonable time to fix it. If it is not fixed, the matter may go to Council for an order to comply (the owner may be heard first). If the order is not met, the Township may do the work and bill the owner. Unpaid costs after December 31 may be added to the property taxes. Bylaw notices can also be issued.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Bylaw notices: unsightly or untidy property or accumulated refuse $250 ($200 early); graffiti $300 ($250 early); weeds or overgrown lawn $200 ($150 early); derelict vehicle, boat or trailer on land $200. Early means paid within 14 days.\n- The bylaw also allows a court fine of up to $10,000 plus enforcement costs.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/maintenance-property-and-nuisance-regulation-bylaw-consolidated","title":"Maintenance of Property and Nuisance Regulation Bylaw 2014, No. 2826 (consolidated August 2024) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/2026-09-bylaw-2839-bylaw-notice-enforcement-consolidation","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2014, No. 2839 (consolidated September 2026) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/government-bylaws/bylaws-enforcement/bylaw-complaint","title":"Bylaw Complaint, Township of Esquimalt","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/government-bylaws/bylaws-enforcement/contacts","title":"Bylaw Enforcement Contacts, Township of Esquimalt","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/unsightly-property/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/unsightly-property.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/unsightly-property.json"}}