Golden unsightly property rules and how to report
How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Golden?
In Golden, report an unsightly or overgrown property to Bylaw Enforcement at 250-344-2271 ext. 234 or with the online complaint form. Under the Property Maintenance Bylaw an officer can order the owner to fix it. An unsightly property notice is $300.
Key facts
| What counts | An owner or occupant must not let the property become unsightly (cluttered, dilapidated, unclean or neglected) or let rubbish, broken furniture or appliances, vehicle parts, unused wood, or idle construction materials pile up. Also banned: standing water, noxious weeds, graffiti, grass over 30 cm (Apr. 30 to Sept. 30), and more than two unlicensed vehicles, one derelict vehicle or one inoperative trailer or vessel.Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1287, 2011, s. 3(4), 4(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingmust not cause, permit, suffer or allow the land, property or premises to become or cluttered, dilapidated, disorganized, unclean, or in more than two unlicensed vehicles ensure that lawn grass is trimmed so that its height does not exceed 30 centimetres |
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| How to report | Contact Bylaw Enforcement: use the online complaint form (Report a Bylaw Violation), email, or call 250-344-2271 ext. 234, or pick up a form at Town Hall. Allow up to seven business days for a response.Bylaw Enforcement, Bylaw Inquiries & Complaints · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingCall Bylaw Enforcement at 250-344-2271 ext. 234 Fill out or pick up a form in person at Town Hall. please allow up to seven business days for a response |
| What happens next | A Bylaw Enforcement Officer can issue a written order. The owner must fix it in the time stated, or within 30 days if none is stated. The owner can ask Council to review at least 5 business days before the deadline. Otherwise the Town may do the work at the owner's cost, plus $100 for every ten days after the order expires.Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1287, 2011, s. 4(1)(b), 5(2), 6(1), 7(2) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingwithin 30 days following the date the order was mailed or otherwise seek review by Council may recover the costs an administrative charge of $100 for every ten days following the |
| Fine | Bylaw notice: unsightly property $300 ($280 if paid within 14 days; $320 after 28 days). Accumulating rubbish or other listed items $300; failing to cut grass $50; failing to comply with an order $100. Court: up to $10,000.Bylaw Notice and Adjudication System Bylaw No. 1475, 2022, Schedule N (Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1287, 2011); Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1287, 2011, s. 8(5) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingUnsightly property $300.00 $280.00 $320.00 Fail to cut grass $50.00 $30.00 $70.00 Fail to comply with order $100.00 $80.00 $120.00 liable to pay a fine of up to Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) |
| Bylaw | Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1287, 2011Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1287, 2011, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingProperty Maintenance Bylaw No.1287, 2011 |
How it works
The Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1287, 2011 says an owner or occupant must not let the property become unsightly (cluttered, dilapidated, unclean or neglected). It also bans piles of rubbish, broken furniture or appliances, vehicle parts, unused wood and idle construction materials. Other banned items are standing water, noxious weeds, graffiti, grass over 30 cm (April 30 to September 30), and more than two unlicensed vehicles, one derelict vehicle, or one inoperative trailer or vessel. Farm business in farm-use areas is exempt.
Steps
- Report it to Bylaw Enforcement: use the online complaint form, email, call 250-344-2271 ext. 234, or pick up a form at Town Hall.
- Allow up to seven business days for a response.
- An officer can issue a written order. The owner must fix the problem in the time stated, or within 30 days if none is stated.
- The owner can ask Council to review the order at least 5 business days before the deadline.
Good to know
- If the work is not done, the Town may do it at the owner's cost, plus $100 for every ten days after the order expires.
- Bylaw notices: unsightly property $300; accumulating rubbish or other listed items $300; failing to cut grass $50; failing to comply with an order $100.
- A court can fine up to $10,000.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Revelstoke · Radium Hot Springs · Invermere · Nakusp · Sicamous · Canal Flats
Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1287, 2011 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Enforcement, Town of Golden (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Notice and Adjudication System Bylaw No. 1475, 2022 (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. How answers are checked.