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Esquimalt unsightly property rules and how to report

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

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

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.

Key facts

What countsOwners 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.Maintenance of Property and Nuisance Regulation Bylaw 2014, No. 2826 (consolidated August 2024), s. 8, 10, 11 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
How to reportSend 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.Bylaw Complaint; Bylaw Enforcement Contacts · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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.
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.
What happens nextThe 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.Maintenance of Property and Nuisance Regulation Bylaw 2014, No. 2826 (consolidated August 2024), s. 40-46 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
FineBylaw 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).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2014, No. 2839 (consolidated September 2026), Schedule M, s. 8, 10, 11 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
BylawMaintenance of Property and Nuisance Regulation Bylaw, 2014, No. 2826Maintenance of Property and Nuisance Regulation Bylaw 2014, No. 2826 (consolidated August 2024), Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Maintenance of Property and Nuisance
Regulation Bylaw, 2014, No. 2826

How it works

The Maintenance of Property and Nuisance Regulation Bylaw No. 2826 says owners and occupiers must not:

  • let refuse or noxious, offensive or unwholesome items accumulate, or let land become or stay untidy or unsightly;
  • allow unsanitary conditions or fire or health hazards;
  • leave dilapidated or collapsed buildings;
  • leave graffiti visible from outside;
  • allow weeds, or lawns longer than 25 cm (10 in.) or the neighbourhood standard;
  • store derelict vehicles or wrecked or dismantled trailers or boats on the land.

Non-residential land may store materials tidily if a lawful use needs them.

Steps

  1. Send a written complaint: use the online form, 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.
  2. Give your name, address, daytime phone and details. Without contact details, the officer may take no action except on health or safety issues.
  3. You can also phone Bylaw Enforcement at 250-414-7161.

What happens next

The 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.

Good to know

  • 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.
  • The bylaw also allows a court fine of up to $10,000 plus enforcement costs.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

View Royal · Victoria · Colwood · Saanich · Oak Bay · Langford

Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Maintenance of Property and Nuisance Regulation Bylaw 2014, No. 2826 (consolidated August 2024) (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2014, No. 2839 (consolidated September 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Bylaw Complaint, Township of Esquimalt (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Bylaw Enforcement Contacts, Township of Esquimalt (read 2026-11-06)

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.