Fernie unsightly property rules and how to report
How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property?
Short answer
In the City of Fernie, report an unsightly or overgrown property to Bylaw Services online, at bylawservices@fernie.ca or at 250-423-2244, giving your name and phone number. The Community Standards Bylaw covers unsightly land, weeds, grass over 20 cm, refuse, derelict vehicles and graffiti.
Key facts
| What counts | Owners and occupiers must not let land become or stay unsightly (appearing unkempt or in disrepair as a whole), or allow noxious weeds, grass over 20 cm, refuse, graffiti, derelict vehicles, or (on residential land) chattels for sale outside over 14 days. Unsightly includes refuse, broken fencing, dead trees, damaged structures, broken windows.Community Standards Bylaw 2456, 2022, consolidated to Amendment Bylaw 2558, 2026, s. 3.2; s. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo Owner or Occupier of a premise or premises shall cause, contain, or allow the to become or remain Unsightly; accumulation of Weeds, or overgrown grasses; Chattels displayed for sale outside of a Structure exceeding 14 days grasses that are more than 20 cm in height Trees or shrubs that are dead; such an extent that as a whole it appears unkempt, unmaintained, dilapidated, or in disrepair "Weed" means a noxious weed as defined by the Weed Control Regulation B.C. Reg. |
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| How to report | Report to Bylaw Services online (Report Problem/Request Service), by email at bylawservices@fernie.ca, or by phone at (250) 423-2244. Give your full name, phone number, and the date, time and details. Graffiti on private property: RCMP non-emergency 250.423.4404.Bylaw Services, How to Report a Bylaw Violation; Managing Graffiti, How do I report graffiti? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOnline at Report Problem/Request Service By phone at (250) 423-2244 Provide your full name and phone number so we can contact you if we have questions On Private Property: Call the RCMP non-emergency number at 250.423.4404. |
| What happens next | A bylaw officer may give the owner or occupier written notice to comply within a stated time. If that fails, the officer may ask Council to impose a Remedial Action Requirement under the Community Charter. If the owner still does not comply, the City may do the work and recover the cost, as property taxes if unpaid by December 31.Community Standards Bylaw 2456, 2022, consolidated to Amendment Bylaw 2558, 2026, s. 6, 8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingthe Bylaw Officer may, by written notice, advise the owner or occupier of the Land or Premises of the the Bylaw Officer may request that Council impose a Remedial If such costs remain unpaid by December 31 of the year in which they are owing, the costs may be recovered as taxes in arrears |
| Fine | Municipal tickets: unsightly premises $300, overgrown weeds or grass $200, chattels for sale over 14 days $200, graffiti $1,000, refuse in a public place $150.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 2041, Appendix 5 of Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2041 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCause, contain or allow premises to remain or become 3.2(a) $300.00 Cause, contain or allow Graffiti 3.2(e) $1,000.00 Cause, contain, or allow accumulation of overgrown weeds or 3.2(b) $200.00 Cause, contain or allow chattels for sale exceeding 14 days 3.2(d) $200.00 Leave, plant or place refuse in a Public Place 3.1(a) $150.00 |
| Bylaw | Community Standards Bylaw 2456, 2022Community Standards Bylaw 2456, 2022, consolidated to Amendment Bylaw 2558, 2026, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCOMMUNITY STANDARDS BYLAW 2456, 2022 |
How it works
The Community Standards Bylaw 2456, 2022 says owners and occupiers in the City of Fernie must not let land become or stay unsightly (appearing unkempt or in disrepair as a whole). They must also not allow noxious weeds, grass over 20 cm, refuse, graffiti or derelict vehicles. Unsightly includes refuse, broken fencing, dead trees, damaged structures and broken windows. On residential land, chattels for sale outside for more than 14 days are also banned; residential garage sales lasting no more than 2 days, at most twice a month, are exempt.
Steps
- Note the address, what you see, and the date and time.
- Report it to Bylaw Services using the online form (Report Problem/Request Service), bylawservices@fernie.ca or 250-423-2244. Give your full name and phone number. Anonymous complaints are not investigated.
- An officer may give the owner or occupier written notice to comply within a stated time. If that fails, the officer may ask Council to impose a Remedial Action Requirement under the Community Charter. If the owner still does not comply, the City may do the work and recover the cost, as property taxes if unpaid by December 31.
Good to know
- Municipal tickets: unsightly premises $300; weeds or grass $200; chattels for sale over 14 days $200; graffiti $1,000; refuse in a public place $150.
- Dumping refuse or weeds on public land is banned.
- One derelict vehicle is allowed behind the front yard of a residential lot under the Zoning Bylaw.
- For graffiti on private property, the City's graffiti page gives the RCMP non-emergency line, 250-423-4404.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Sparwood · Cranbrook · Elkford · Kimberley · Canal Flats · Creston
Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Community Standards Bylaw 2456, 2022 (PDF), consolidated to Amendment Bylaw 2558, 2026, City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 2041 (PDF), City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
- Managing Graffiti, City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Services, City of Fernie (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.