Ladysmith unsightly property rules and how to report

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

Ladysmith, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

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.

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.Property Maintenance Bylaw 2018, No. 1970, s. 3.1, 4.1, 5.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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.
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.Bylaws and Bylaw Compliance, Bylaws page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording To make a bylaw complaint, you must do so in writing. We cannot accept anonymous complaints. By email at bylaw@ladysmith.ca
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.Bylaws and Bylaw Compliance, Bylaw Compliance Process; Property Maintenance Bylaw 2018, No. 1970, s. 7.1-7.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording The first thing Town staff do in a bylaw complaint is try to achieve voluntary compliance 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
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.Property Maintenance Bylaw 2018, No. 1970, s. 8.1; Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw 2002, No. 1457, consolidated December 22, 2021, Schedule 14 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording a fine of not more than $10,000.00 (TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS) and not less than $200 (TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS), PROPERTY MAINTENANCE BYLAW 2015, NO. 1894 Unsightly property 4(1)(c) $200 $150
Bylaw	Property Maintenance Bylaw 2018, No. 1970Property Maintenance Bylaw 2018, No. 1970, s. 11.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Ladysmith Property Maintenance Bylaw 2018, No. 1970

How it works

The Property Maintenance Bylaw 2018, No. 1970 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

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.
Complaints must be in writing and cannot be anonymous.
Staff first seek voluntary compliance from the owner.
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

The same question in other places

North Cowichan · Duncan · Lake Cowichan · Nanaimo · Lantzville · North Saanich

Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Property Maintenance Bylaw 2018, No. 1970 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Bylaws and Bylaw Compliance, Town of Ladysmith (read 2026-11-06)
Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw 2002, No. 1457, consolidated December 22, 2021 (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. How answers are checked.