---
title: Ladysmith unsightly property rules and how to report
question: "How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Ladysmith?"
place: Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/ladysmith
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: Town of Ladysmith
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/unsightly-property/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/unsightly-property.json"
---

# Ladysmith unsightly property rules and how to report

**Question:** How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Ladysmith?

**Short answer:** In Ladysmith, owners and occupiers must not let refuse or junk collect, or let property become unsightly. Weeds and graffiti must be removed. Report it in writing with the Bylaw Complaint Form, or call Bylaw Compliance at 250-245-6446. Complaints cannot be anonymous.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Town of Ladysmith, https://www.ladysmith.ca)  
**Cost:** On conviction, $200 to $10,000 plus costs. The ticket amount under the current bylaw is not clear.  
**How long:** The Town aims for a first response within three working days and resolution within about a month.  
**Where:**
- Online: Bylaw Complaint Form (online), https://www.ladysmith.ca/city-hall/city-departments/bylaws
- In person: Town Hall, 410 Esplanade, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1A2 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
- In person: Infrastructure Services office, 330 6th Avenue
- Phone: Bylaw Compliance, 250-245-6446
- Email: Bylaw Compliance email, bylaw@ladysmith.ca

## Key facts

- **What counts:** Owners and occupiers must not let refuse, garbage or noxious material collect on property, throw bottles or glass in open places, or let property become or stay unsightly (untidy accumulation of filth, junk or refuse). Weeds that spread or are unkempt, and graffiti, must also be removed.
  - Source: [Property Maintenance Bylaw 2018, No. 1970, s. 3.1, 4.1, 5.1](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1970-property-maintenance-bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "cause or permit water, or Refuse, garbage or other material that is noxious, offensive" … "allow Real Property, of which that person is the Owner or Occupier, to become or" … "are so unkempt as to be Unsightly to nearby residents."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to report:** Complete the Bylaw Complaint Form (online, at City Hall or at the Infrastructure Services office, 330 6th Avenue), or contact Bylaw Compliance at 250.245.6446 or bylaw@ladysmith.ca. Complaints must be in writing and cannot be anonymous.
  - Source: [Bylaws and Bylaw Compliance, Bylaws page](https://www.ladysmith.ca/city-hall/city-departments/bylaws)
  - Official wording: "To make a bylaw complaint, you must do so in writing." … "We cannot accept anonymous complaints." … "By email at bylaw@ladysmith.ca"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **What happens next:** Staff first seek voluntary compliance. If that fails, Council may order the owner to act after giving them a chance to be heard; if not done within 14 days of service, the Town may do the work at the owner's expense. Unpaid costs on December 31 can be collected like property taxes.
  - Source: [Bylaws and Bylaw Compliance, Bylaw Compliance Process](https://www.ladysmith.ca/city-hall/city-departments/bylaws)
  - Official wording: "The first thing Town staff do in a bylaw complaint is try to achieve voluntary compliance"
  - Source: [Property Maintenance Bylaw 2018, No. 1970, s. 7.1-7.3](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1970-property-maintenance-bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "fails to comply with the" … "order within 14 days after being served with the order," … "they may be collected in the same manner and with the same remedies as ordinary"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** On conviction: $200 to $10,000 plus costs. The ticket schedule lists unsightly property at $200 ($150 if paid within 30 days), but it names the earlier Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1894.
  - Source: [Property Maintenance Bylaw 2018, No. 1970, s. 8.1](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1970-property-maintenance-bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a fine of not more than $10,000.00 (TEN THOUSAND" … "DOLLARS) and not less than $200 (TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS),"
  - Source: [Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw 2002, No. 1457, consolidated December 22, 2021, Schedule 14](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1457-ticket-information-utilization-bylaw-consolidation.pdf)
  - Official wording: "PROPERTY MAINTENANCE BYLAW 2015, NO. 1894" … "Unsightly property 4(1)(c) $200 $150"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Property Maintenance Bylaw 2018, No. 1970
  - Source: [Property Maintenance Bylaw 2018, No. 1970, s. 11.1](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1970-property-maintenance-bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Ladysmith Property Maintenance Bylaw 2018, No. 1970"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [Property Maintenance Bylaw 2018, No. 1970](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1970-property-maintenance-bylaw.pdf) says owners and occupiers must not let refuse, garbage or noxious material collect on property, throw bottles or glass in open places, or let property become or stay unsightly (an untidy accumulation of filth, junk or refuse). Weeds that spread or are unkempt, and graffiti, must also be removed. Refuse includes unlicensed or stripped vehicles, trailers and boats, appliances, tires and stumps.

## Steps

1. Complete the Bylaw Complaint Form online, at Town Hall (410 Esplanade) or at the Infrastructure Services office (330 6th Avenue). You can also contact Bylaw Compliance at 250-245-6446 or bylaw@ladysmith.ca.
2. Complaints must be in writing and cannot be anonymous.
3. Staff first seek voluntary compliance from the owner.
4. If that fails, Council may order the owner to act after giving them a chance to be heard. If it is not done within 14 days of service, the Town may do the work at the owner's expense.

## Good to know

- Unpaid costs on December 31 can be collected like property taxes.
- On conviction the fine is $200 to $10,000 plus costs.
- The 2021 ticket schedule lists an unsightly property ticket ($200, or $150 if paid within 30 days), but it names the earlier Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1894. Ask the Town which ticket amount applies now.

## Official forms and pages

- [Property Maintenance Bylaw 2018, No. 1970 (PDF)](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1970-property-maintenance-bylaw.pdf)
- [Bylaws and Bylaw Compliance, Town of Ladysmith](https://www.ladysmith.ca/city-hall/city-departments/bylaws)

## Related questions

- [Ladysmith bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/bylaw-fines.md)
- [Ladysmith noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/noise-rules.md)
- [Ladysmith backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/backyard-fire.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/unsightly-property.md)
- [North Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/unsightly-property.md)
- [Duncan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/unsightly-property.md)
- [Lake Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/unsightly-property.md)
- [Nanaimo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/unsightly-property.md)
- [Lantzville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/unsightly-property.md)
- [North Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/unsightly-property.md)

## Sources

- [Property Maintenance Bylaw 2018, No. 1970 (PDF)](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1970-property-maintenance-bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaws and Bylaw Compliance, Town of Ladysmith](https://www.ladysmith.ca/city-hall/city-departments/bylaws) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw 2002, No. 1457, consolidated December 22, 2021 (PDF)](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1457-ticket-information-utilization-bylaw-consolidation.pdf) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Town of Ladysmith. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/unsightly-property/_