Gibsons unsightly property rules and how to report
How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Gibsons?
Short answer
In Gibsons, report an unsightly or overgrown property to the Bylaw Officer at 604-886-2274 or beo@gibsons.ca, or use the online Bylaw Complaint Form. The Property Maintenance Bylaw allows a $200 bylaw notice and a 21-day order to clean up overgrowth.
Key facts
| What counts | Owners and occupiers must not let property become or stay 'unsightly'. That includes outdoor piles of building material, derelict or unused vehicles, boats or appliances (even under a tarp), accumulated rubbish, filth or fallen fruit, and any outdoor accumulation of articles. They must also clear brush, noxious weeds and wild grass, prevent insect infestations, control dust, and not place graffiti.Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 780, 1995, s. 2.3, 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingUNSIGHTLY includes but is not limited to: Any derelict, deteriorating, inoperative or unused vehicle, boat or Any accumulation of fallen fruit. Any outdoor accumulation of articles whether or not discarded. allow that property to become or remain unsightly. Clear the property of brush, noxious weeds, wild grass and other No person shall place graffiti on walls, fences, or elsewhere on or adjacent |
|---|---|
| How to report | Contact the Bylaw Officer at 604-886-2274 or beo@gibsons.ca, or fill in the Bylaw Complaint Form on the Town website.Bylaw enforcement, Report a Bylaw Infraction · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingTo report any complaints or concerns (such as noise, parking, dogs at large or unsightly properties) or complete and submit a Bylaw Complaint Form. 604-886-2274 beo@gibsons.ca |
| What happens next | For overgrowth, accumulated materials and infestations (s. 3.6), the Bylaw Enforcement Officer or Building Inspector can give written notice to comply within 21 days. If the owner does not comply, the Town may enter and remove the materials or growth at the owner's expense. Unpaid costs on December 31 are added to the property taxes.Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 780, 1995, s. 4.1, 4.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingmay give written notice to that person to comply within twenty-one (21) days of delivery of the notice at the expense of the person who has failed to comply. such costs remain unpaid on December 31 in the year the removal was done, the costs shall be added to and form part of the taxes payable on the |
| Fine | Bylaw notice for unsightly property: $200 ($150 if paid early, $300 late). Placing graffiti: $100 ($80, $120).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1125, Schedule A, Bylaw 780 s. 3.1, 3.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingUnsightly property / cause a 780 3.1 $200 $150 $300 Place graffiti $100 $80 $120 |
| Bylaw | Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 780, 1995Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 780, 1995, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the "Property Maintenance Bylaw No. |
How it works
The Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 780 says owners and occupiers in Gibsons must not let property become or stay "unsightly". That includes:
- Outdoor piles of building material, and derelict or unused vehicles, boats or appliances (even under a tarp).
- Accumulated rubbish, filth or fallen fruit, and any outdoor accumulation of articles.
- Brush, noxious weeds and wild grass that are not cleared, insect infestations, uncontrolled dust, and graffiti.
Some building-material and business exceptions apply.
Steps
- Contact the Bylaw Officer at 604-886-2274 or beo@gibsons.ca, or fill in the Bylaw Complaint Form on the Town's website.
- The Town responds mostly to complaints. It says it favours education and voluntary compliance, with tickets where needed.
- For overgrowth, accumulated materials and infestations, an officer or Building Inspector can give written notice to comply within 21 days.
Good to know
- If the owner does not comply, the Town may enter and remove the materials or growth at the owner's expense. Unpaid costs on December 31 are added to the property taxes.
- Bylaw notice for unsightly property: $200 ($150 if paid early, $300 late). Placing graffiti: $100 ($80, $120).
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Bowen Island · West Vancouver · Lions Bay · Sechelt · District of North Vancouver · North Vancouver
Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 780, 1995, Town of Gibsons (consolidated November 2021) (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1125, Town of Gibsons (consolidated) (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw enforcement, Town of Gibsons (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.