---
title: Fruitvale unsightly property rules and how to report
question: "How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Fruitvale?"
place: Fruitvale, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/fruitvale
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: Village of Fruitvale
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/unsightly-property/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/unsightly-property.json"
---

# Fruitvale unsightly property rules and how to report

**Question:** How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Fruitvale?

**Short answer:** In Fruitvale, report an unsightly property by filling in the Village's complaint form or online Action Request, or by calling 250-367-7551. Anonymous complaints are not accepted. An officer can order the owner to fix the problem within 14 days; if not, the Village can do the work and bill the owner.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Village of Fruitvale, https://fruitvale.ca)  
**Cost:** Reporting is free. Fines: bylaw notice $100; municipal ticket $500 ($450 if paid within 30 days); court up to $2,000.  
**How long:** The owner has 14 days from mailing or posting of a written order to comply.  
**Where:**
- In person: Village Office, 1947 Beaver Street, Fruitvale, BC V0G 1L0 (Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
- Phone: Village Office, 250-367-7551
- Email: Village Office, info@village.fruitvale.bc.ca
- Online: Online Action Request form, https://fruitvale.ca/services/action-requests/

## Key facts

- **What counts:** No owner or occupier may let property become or remain unsightly: accumulated filth, discarded materials, rubbish or graffiti; broken, rotted or leaning fences; dead landscaping or grass over 20 cm; wrecked vehicles or parts; old furniture, appliances or equipment stored outside; construction material stored outside (unless a building permit is active); or unsightly buildings (broken windows, peeling paint, damage, boarded up two months or more). Owners must also clear brush and noxious weeds, prevent insect infestations, control dust, and keep adjoining sidewalks and boulevards clear and tidy.
  - Source: [Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 845, 2014, Part 1 definition of "Unsightly"; ss. 1 to 11](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/845-Property-Standards-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No owner or occupier of real property shall allow his property to become or remain unsightly." … "landscaping that is dead or characterized by uncontrolled growth or grass of a height in excess of 20 centimetres" … "Every owner or occupier of real property must clear the property of any brush, noxious weeds, or other growths."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How to report:** Complete the Village Complaints Form (or the online Action Request) and deliver, email (info@village.fruitvale.bc.ca) or fax it to the Village Office, or complain in person or by phone at 250-367-7551. Anonymous complaints are not accepted.
  - Source: [Bylaw Enforcement, Bylaw Complaints](https://fruitvale.ca/services/bylaw/)
  - Official wording: "please use the Complaints Form. Please note that the Village does not accept anonymous complaints."
  - Source: [Bylaw Enforcement, Report a Problem](https://fruitvale.ca/services/bylaw/)
  - Official wording: "please complete the online Action Request submission form."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **What happens next:** An enforcement officer may order the owner or occupier, in writing, to fix the problem within 14 days of mailing or posting. If the order is not obeyed, the Village may do the work and recover the cost as property tax. If there is a health or safety concern, it may act immediately at the owner's expense. The officer may first issue a warning notice or a bylaw notice.
  - Source: [Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 845, 2014, ss. 14 to 16](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/845-Property-Standards-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "at his expense and within fourteen days of the mailing or posting of the" … "recover the costs in the same manner and with the same remedies as ordinary taxes on land" … "may carry out remediation of the conditions immediately at the expense of the owner or occupier"
  - Source: [Bylaw Enforcement, Once a complaint has been made](https://fruitvale.ca/services/bylaw/)
  - Official wording: "The Bylaw Enforcement Officer may issue a warning notice with directions to remedy the problem within a specified time frame; or a Bylaw Notice."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: $100 each for unsightly property, offensive growth, insect infestation, unwholesome matter, dust, littering, graffiti, uncleared sidewalk, boulevard and snow or ice. Municipal ticket: unsightly property $500 ($450 if paid within 30 days); dust $150 ($100); littering and graffiti $200 ($150); sidewalk clearing $100 ($80); boulevard and snow $150 ($100). Court: up to $2,000.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 976, 2024, Schedule A, Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 845](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/976-2024-Notice-Enforcement-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Unsightly property $100 YES" … "Offensive Growth $100 YES"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 921, Schedule 6](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/921-Municipal-Ticket-Information-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Unsightly 1, 2 500 450" … "Dust Control 7 150 100"
  - Source: [Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 845, 2014, s. 19](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/845-Property-Standards-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "punishable upon summary conviction by a fine of up to $2,000.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Property Maintenance Bylaw 845, 2014 (the Village's bylaw page calls it "845 Property Maintenance").
  - Source: [Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 845, 2014, s. 23](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/845-Property-Standards-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as “Village of Fruitvale Property Maintenance Bylaw 845, 2014”."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The Village's [Property Maintenance Bylaw 845](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/845-Property-Standards-Bylaw.pdf) says no owner or occupier may let property become or stay unsightly. That covers:

- accumulated filth, discarded materials, rubbish or graffiti
- broken, rotted or leaning fences
- dead landscaping, or grass over 20 cm
- wrecked vehicles or parts, and old furniture, appliances or equipment stored outside
- construction material stored outside (unless a building permit is active)
- unsightly buildings (broken windows, peeling paint, damage, or boarded up two months or more)

Owners must also clear brush and noxious weeds, prevent insect infestations, control dust, and keep adjoining sidewalks and boulevards clear and tidy.

## Steps

1. Fill in the Village Complaints Form (or the online Action Request) and deliver, email or fax it to the Village Office. You can also complain in person or by phone at 250-367-7551.
2. Give your name. Anonymous complaints are not accepted.
3. An officer may first issue a warning notice or a bylaw notice, or order the owner or occupier in writing to fix the problem within 14 days of mailing or posting.
4. If the order is not obeyed, the Village may do the work and recover the cost as property tax. If there is a health or safety concern, it may act immediately at the owner's expense.

## Good to know

- Bylaw notice: $100 each for unsightly property, offensive growth, insect infestation, unwholesome matter, dust, littering, graffiti, uncleared sidewalk, boulevard, and snow or ice.
- Municipal ticket: unsightly property $500 ($450 if paid within 30 days); dust $150 ($100); littering and graffiti $200 ($150); sidewalk clearing $100 ($80); boulevard and snow $150 ($100). Court: up to $2,000.
- The two ticket systems list different amounts; both exist side by side.

## Official forms and pages

- [Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 845, 2014 (PDF), Village of Fruitvale](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/845-Property-Standards-Bylaw.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Fruitvale bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/bylaw-fines.md)
- [Fruitvale noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/noise-rules.md)
- [Fruitvale backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/backyard-fire.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/unsightly-property.md)
- [Montrose](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/montrose/unsightly-property.md)
- [Trail](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/trail/unsightly-property.md)
- [Warfield](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/warfield/unsightly-property.md)
- [Rossland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rossland/unsightly-property.md)
- [Salmo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmo/unsightly-property.md)
- [Castlegar](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/unsightly-property.md)

## Sources

- [Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 845, 2014 (PDF), Village of Fruitvale](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/845-Property-Standards-Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaw Enforcement, Village of Fruitvale](https://fruitvale.ca/services/bylaw/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 976, 2024 (PDF), Village of Fruitvale](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/976-2024-Notice-Enforcement-Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 921 (PDF), Village of Fruitvale](https://fruitvale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/921-Municipal-Ticket-Information-Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Action Requests, Village of Fruitvale](https://fruitvale.ca/services/action-requests/) (read 2026-11-08)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Village of Fruitvale. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/unsightly-property/_