{"title":"Kitimat unsightly property rules and how to report","question":"How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Kitimat?","slug":"unsightly-property","place":{"path":"ca/bc/kitimat","name":"Kitimat","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"bylaws-and-complaints","name":"Bylaws, noise and complaints"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":null,"short_answer":"In Kitimat owners and occupiers must not let property become unsightly or collect rubbish, and must keep front, side and rear lawn at or under 25 cm. To report one, fill out the District's Bylaw Enforcement Complaint Form or call 250-632-8900.","aliases":["overgrown lawn kitimat","kitimat unsightly premises","kitimat grass length bylaw","report messy yard kitimat"],"cost":"Unsightly property: a bylaw notice is $250 ($200 if paid within 14 days; $350 late); a municipal ticket is $1,000 ($500 if paid within 30 days). Graffiti, brush and noxious weeds, and unlicensed vehicles: $100 bylaw notice. Failure to remove accumulations: $250.","how_long":"The bylaw sets a time to comply in each notice; no standard time is stated.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Municipal Hall (bylaw complaints)","value":"250-632-8900"},{"type":"online","label":"Bylaw Enforcement Complaint Form (PDF)","value":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/bylaw-enforcement-complaint-form.pdf"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"270 City Centre, Kitimat, BC V8C 2H7","note":"Office hours are not stated in the documents we read."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Bylaw Enforcement Complaint Form, District of Kitimat (PDF)","url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/bylaw-enforcement-complaint-form.pdf"},{"title":"Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF)","url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Kitimat bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/bylaw-fines/"},{"slug":"noise-rules","title":"Kitimat noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/noise-rules/"},{"slug":"garbage-collection","title":"Kitimat garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/garbage-collection/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/terrace","name":"Terrace","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/unsightly-property/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-edward","name":"Port Edward","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/unsightly-property/"},{"place":"ca/bc/prince-rupert","name":"Prince Rupert","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/unsightly-property/"},{"place":"ca/bc/telkwa","name":"Telkwa","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/telkwa/unsightly-property/"},{"place":"ca/bc/smithers","name":"Smithers","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/unsightly-property/"},{"place":"ca/bc/houston","name":"Houston","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/houston/unsightly-property/"}],"topic":{"title":"Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/unsightly-property/"},"facts":{"what_counts":{"label":"What counts","value":"Owners or occupiers must not let property become unsightly or collect rubbish or noxious matter; must keep it clear of brush and noxious weeds and insect infestations; must remove unsightly accumulations or graffiti; and must not let front, side or rear lawn exceed 25 cm (pollinator gardens excepted). Unlicensed vehicles may not be parked on residential lots outside a building.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf","title":"Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF)","section":"s. 9.12.2.2-10","quotes":["No Owner or Occupier of real property shall allow such property to","become or to remain unsightly.","keep","their property clear of brush and noxious weeds.","rubbish or graffiti.","which are not licensed for the current or immediately preceding"]},{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/2026-09-08-reg.pdf","title":"Council meeting agenda September 8, 2026 with Bylaw No. 2091, 2026 (PDF)","section":"Bylaw No. 2091, 2026, s. 2 (9.12.2.6.1-2)","quotes":["rear yard lawn to exceed 25 centimetres in length.","may have a Pollinator Garden in accordance with District of Kitimat"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_report":{"label":"How to report","value":"Fill out the District's Bylaw Enforcement Complaint Form (written complaints start an investigation; one form per complainant). Phone 250-632-8900.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/bylaw-enforcement-complaint-form.pdf","title":"Bylaw Enforcement Complaint Form, District of Kitimat (PDF)","section":"Bylaw Enforcement Complaint Form; Procedures 2-3","quotes":["Ph. 250-632-8900 Fax: 250-632-4995","Bylaw enforcement investigation will be commenced on submission of written complaints.","please fill out individual complaint forms."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"process":{"label":"What happens next","value":"A Municipal Official may notify the owner or occupier to comply within a stated time. If they fail to comply, the municipality may enter and do the removal or clearing at the owner's expense; unpaid charges on December 31 are added to the property taxes.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf","title":"Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF)","section":"s. 9.12.2.12-13","quotes":["Municipal Official may notify the Owner","or Occupier of the real property to comply within a stated time","the municipality, by its employees","at the","expense of the Owner or Occupier who fails to comply","shall be added to and form part of the taxes payable on that real"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Unsightly property: bylaw notice $250 ($200 if paid within 14 days; $350 late); municipal ticket $1,000 ($500 if paid within 30 days). Graffiti, brush and noxious weeds, and unlicensed vehicles: $100 bylaw notice; failure to remove accumulations: $250.","short":"Notice $250 ($200 if paid within 14 days); ticket $1,000","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/part1-div3-municipalticket-20241202.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System, Part 1 Division 3 of the Kitimat Municipal Code (PDF)","section":"Part 9 table","quotes":["Unsightly property","9.12.2.4","$100","Graffiti","Brush and noxious weeds"]},{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/2026-05-19-reg.pdf","title":"Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 2086, 2026, council agenda copy of May 19, 2026 (PDF)","section":"Schedules A and B, rows 195-200","quotes":["195 Unsightly property 9.12.2.4 $ 250.00 $ 200.00 $ 350.00","196 Graffiti 9.12.2.5 $ 100.00 $ 50.00 $ 150.00","197 Brush and noxious weeds 9.12.2.7 $ 100.00 $ 50.00 $ 150.00","199 Failure to remove unsightly accumulations 9.12.2.9 $ 250.00 $ 200.00 $ 350.00","200 Unlicensed Motor Vehicles 9.12.2.10 $ 100.00 $ 50.00 $ 150.00","195 Unsightly property 9.12.2.4 $1,000.00 $500.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Kitimat Municipal Code, Part 9, Division 12 - Environmental Control, Subdivision 2 - Nuisances (as amended by Bylaw No. 2091, 2026)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf","title":"Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF)","section":"s. 9.12.2","quotes":["Division 12 - Environmental Control Subdivision 2 - Nuisances (Continued) 9.12.2. 12. Where a Municipal Official observes that real property does not"]},{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/2026-09-08-reg.pdf","title":"Council meeting agenda September 8, 2026 with Bylaw No. 2091, 2026 (PDF)","section":"Bylaw No. 2091, 2026, s. 2","quotes":["Environmental Control (Overgrown Grass) Amendment Bylaw No. 2091, 2026"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":5,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nPart 9, Division 12 (Nuisances) of the [Kitimat Municipal Code](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf), as amended by [Bylaw No. 2091, 2026](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/2026-09-08-reg.pdf), says owners or occupiers must not let property become unsightly or collect rubbish or noxious matter. They must keep it clear of brush, noxious weeds and insect infestations, remove unsightly accumulations and graffiti, and not let front, side or rear lawn exceed 25 cm. Pollinator gardens are excepted. Unlicensed vehicles may not be parked on residential lots outside a building.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Fill out the District's Bylaw Enforcement Complaint Form (one form per complainant) and send it in, or call 250-632-8900. Written complaints start an investigation.\n2. A Municipal Official may notify the owner or occupier to comply within a stated time.\n3. If they do not comply, the municipality may enter and do the clearing at the owner's expense. Unpaid charges on December 31 are added to the property taxes.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Unsightly property: a bylaw notice is $250 ($200 if paid within 14 days; $350 late); a municipal ticket is $1,000 ($500 if paid within 30 days).\n- Graffiti, brush and noxious weeds, and unlicensed vehicles carry a $100 bylaw notice; failure to remove accumulations is $250.","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf","title":"Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/2026-09-08-reg.pdf","title":"Council meeting agenda September 8, 2026 with Bylaw No. 2091, 2026 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/2026-05-19-reg.pdf","title":"Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 2086, 2026, council agenda copy of May 19, 2026 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/part1-div3-municipalticket-20241202.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System, Part 1 Division 3 of the Kitimat Municipal Code (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/bylaw-enforcement-complaint-form.pdf","title":"Bylaw Enforcement Complaint Form, District of Kitimat (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/unsightly-property/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/unsightly-property.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/unsightly-property.json"}}