Houston unsightly property rules and how to report
How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Houston?
In Houston, report an unsightly property through the District's online Service Request Portal. The Nuisance Bylaw covers unsightly premises such as discarded materials, landscape, construction materials, graffiti and derelict fences. The bylaw notice is $150.
Key facts
| What counts | The bylaw notice schedule lists these unsightly-premises offences under Nuisance Bylaw s. 10: discarded materials, landscape, construction materials, graffiti on property and derelict fences. It also lists air contamination (s. 11) and public nuisances such as littering and placing graffiti (s. 13).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 1230, 2026, Schedule A, Schedule A, Nuisance Bylaw No. 1114, s. 10 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingNuisance Bylaw No.1114, 2 - Unsightly Premises Discarded 10 (1 Materials $150.00 $112.50 $187.50 Yes 7 Landscape $150-00 $112.50 $187.50 Yes 7 Unsightl Premises Construction Materials 5150-00 $112.50 $187.50 Yes - Graf?ti on nUstigth Premiss Residential/Commercial $150.00 - - Public Nuisances Smoking 13 (1 $150.00 $112.50 $187.50 Yes H 7 V |
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| How to report | Submit a bylaw complaint through the District's online Service Request Portal. Include your name, address and contact information, your relationship to the property, and the location and description of the issue.Service Requests, About; What to Include in Your Complaint · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThe District of Houston offers an online Service Request Portal for submitting service requests, inquiries, and bylaw complaints. Your name, address, and contact information as the official complainant, The location and description of the issue. |
| What happens next | The Nuisance Bylaw lets the District charge the owner for nuisance abatement: $50 per staff attendance plus actual cost, vehicle use at actual cost plus 10%, and $30 for a repeat service call.Nuisance Bylaw No. 1114, 2021, Part 5, s. 41 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordinga) Nuisance Abatement per staff attendance $50.00 + Actual Cost b) Repeat Service Call per attendance $30.00 |
| Fine | Bylaw notice: $150 for each unsightly-premises offence; $112.50 if paid within 14 days; $187.50 after 28 days.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 1230, 2026, Schedule A, Schedule A, Nuisance Bylaw, s. 10(1) to (5) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingUnsightly Premises Discarded 10 (1 Materials $150.00 $112.50 $187.50 10 (4 Property $150.00 $112.50 $187.50 |
| Bylaw | Nuisance Bylaw No. 1114, 2021, s. 10 (unsightly premises).Nuisance Bylaw No. 1114, 2021, PART 5, Citation · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThis bylaw may be cited for all purposes as "Nuisance Bylaw No. 1114, 2021". |
How it works
Unsightly premises are covered by section 10 of the Nuisance Bylaw No. 1114. The District's bylaw notice schedule lists these offences: discarded materials, landscape, construction materials, graffiti on property and derelict fences. It also lists air contamination and public nuisances such as littering and placing graffiti. The exact wording of section 10 and the time an owner has to comply were not readable in our copy, so ask the Municipal Office.
Steps
- Submit a bylaw complaint through the Service Request Portal at houston.ca/community/service-requests/.
- Include your name, address and contact information, your relationship to the property, and the location and description of the issue.
- Or call the Municipal Office at 250-845-2238.
Good to know
- The Bylaw Enforcement Officer decides whether a complaint is investigated. The District says the officer seeks compliance by education and communication first, then tickets or other action.
- The Nuisance Bylaw lets the District charge the owner for abatement: $50 per staff attendance plus actual cost, vehicle use at actual cost plus 10%, and $30 for a repeat service call.
- Standards of Maintenance Bylaw No. 1234, 2026 covers the condition of dwellings and rental units, not yards.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Telkwa · Smithers · Granisle · New Hazelton · Terrace · Fraser Lake
Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Service Requests, District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Nuisance Bylaw No. 1114, 2021 (PDF), District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 1230, 2026, Schedule A (PDF), District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Contact Us, District of Houston (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.