Kelowna unsightly property rules and how to report
How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Kelowna?
Short answer
Report an unsightly property in Kelowna to Bylaw Services at 250-469-8686. Give the street address and describe what has accumulated.
Key facts
| What counts | An owner or occupier cannot let property remain unsightly. Accumulated water, filth or rubbish and derelict vehicles are among the listed conditions.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 11500, Good Neighbour Bylaw section 4, property nuisances · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording4. Property Nuisances 4.1 No owner or occupier of real property shall permit any act to be done which constitutes a nuisance at law on that real property.4.2 No owner or occupier of real property shall permit or allow the real property to become or remain unsightly. 4.3 Without limiting the generality of section 4.2 of this bylaw, an owner or occupier of real property must not: (a) permit an accumulation of water, filth or rubbish on the real property; (b) keep a derelict vehicle of any sort, including but not limited to a motor vehicle, vehicle, boat or trailer except as part of a lawful business operating under a license from the City; (c) permit the accumulation on the real property of noxious, offensive or unwholesome materials, substances or objects; (d) Except when specified as a permitted use in the Zoning Bylaw, allow or permit an accumulation of building materials on the real property for more than fifteen (15) days unless: |
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| How to report | Report an unsightly property in Kelowna to Bylaw Services at 250-469-8686.Who to call about a bylaw concern, PDF p. 1 / PDF p. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingBylaw Services 250-469-8686 100 - 1420 Ellis St You can register a complaint for: Nuisance property / unsightly premises |
| What happens next | A bylaw officer can order the person to remedy the nuisance, ordinarily within 14 days of deemed service. The bylaw sets a separate time for section 5.3 and allows a date the officer considers appropriate.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 11500, Good Neighbour Bylaw, order to comply · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording10.2 Where a condition exists that is a contravention of any of the provisions in sections 4 and 5 of this bylaw, a Bylaw Enforcement Officer may issue an order to comply requiring the person to remedy the nuisance or non-compliance within fourteen (14) days of deemed service or ten (10) days in the case of a contravention of section 5.3 of this bylaw, or on a date a Bylaw Enforcement Officer considers reasonable in the circumstances if in the opinion of the Bylaw Supervisor a further period of time is required due to: (a) the quantity of rubbish or other material or amount of graffiti to be removed; (b) any disability or physical limitations of the person to whom the order to comply is directed; or |
| Fine | Not confirmed. Checked EMERGENCY, Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 11500; not found there. |
| Bylaw | Kelowna Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 11500.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 11500, Title and section 4, property nuisances · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingBYLAW NO. 11500 REVISED: August 12, 2024 CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE TO INCLUDE: BYLAW NO: 11546, 12674 A Bylaw for the purpose of preventing, abating and prohibiting nuisances and other objectionable situations 4. Property Nuisances 4.1 No owner or occupier of real property shall permit any act to be done which constitutes a nuisance at law on that real property.4.2 No owner or occupier of real property shall permit or allow the real property to become or remain unsightly. 4.3 Without limiting the generality of section 4.2 of this bylaw, an owner or occupier of real property must not: (a) permit an accumulation of water, filth or rubbish on the real property; |
How it works
Describe the condition a bylaw officer could locate on the property. An address, the part of the lot affected and a description of what has accumulated are more helpful than a general description of the property as untidy. An owner or occupier cannot let property remain unsightly. Accumulated water, filth or rubbish and derelict vehicles are among the listed conditions.
Steps
- For the local rules or complaint route, use Who to call about a bylaw concern (PDF). Write down the civic address or nearest identifiable location. Describe the material, vegetation or structure you are concerned about and how long you have observed it.
- Report the condition through the local complaint channel. If you include a photograph, explain when it was taken and which part of the property it shows.
Good to know
- A bylaw officer can order the person to remedy the nuisance, ordinarily within 14 days of deemed service. The bylaw sets a separate time for section 5.3 and allows a date the officer considers appropriate.
- Within 14 days of receipt or presumed receipt, complete the dispute portion of the notice and deliver it to the City in person during office hours or by mail.
- Keep a copy of what you submitted. Use the same address and any reference number if you later have more information about the original complaint.
- Read the applicable provisions in Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 11500 (PDF) and BL10475 - Bylaw Notice Enforcement - Consolidated (PDF).
The same question in other places
West Kelowna · Lake Country · Peachland · Coldstream · Vernon · Summerland
Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Who to call about a bylaw concern (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
- Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 11500 (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
- BL10475 - Bylaw Notice Enforcement - Consolidated (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 4 of 5 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.