Lake Country unsightly property rules and how to report

How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Lake Country?

Lake Country, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Lake Country, report an unsightly property to Bylaw Services at 250-766-6673, by email or with the online Bylaw Service Request. Enforcement is complaint based and anonymous complaints are not accepted. The Nuisance Bylaw bans rubbish, stagnant water, graffiti and a visual nuisance.

Key facts

What counts	Owners and occupiers must not allow stagnant water, rubbish or noxious or offensive matter to collect, a 'visual nuisance', or unsightliness from filth, rubbish or graffiti. More than one unlicensed vehicle on the premises is also banned. Rubbish may be stored only in an accessory building or a screened area of 30 m² or less.Nuisance Bylaw 857, 2013 (consolidated), s. 6.1-6.4, 6.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No owner or occupier of property shall cause, suffer or permit stagnant water, rubbish, No owner or occupier of property shall cause or permit a visual nuisance on their premises. accumulation of filth, rubbish or graffiti. No owner or occupier of property shall permit the storage of more than one (1) unlicensed enclosed screened area no larger than 30 m2 (323 sq ft)
How to report	Submit a Bylaw Service Request online, email bylaw@lakecountry.bc.ca or call Bylaw Services at 250-766-6673. Enforcement is complaint based; anonymous complaints are not accepted.Bylaw Enforcement, Bylaw Enforcement page; Contact Us, Contact Directory · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Unsightly Property Submit a Bylaw Service Request Anonymous complaints are not accepted. Enforcement is complaint based except for projects authorized by Council or the CAO. Bylaw Services 250 766 6673 bylaw@lakecountry.bc.ca
What happens next	The Bylaw Enforcement Officer investigates and may issue a written order to fix it. If not fixed 15 days after delivery of the order, the District may enter and do the work at the owner's or occupier's expense. Unpaid costs by December 31 can be added to property taxes.Nuisance Bylaw 857, 2013 (consolidated), s. 9.1-9.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Upon receipt of a complaint regarding violation of the regulations contained in this bylaw, the Where, after the expiry of 15 days from delivery of an order given pursuant to Section 9.2 of the cost may be added to and form part of the taxes payable in respect of the said
Fine	Bylaw notice $100 ($50 if paid within 14 days, $125 if paid after 28 days). Municipal ticket $100 ($50 if paid within 30 days).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 760, 2010 (consolidated), Schedule A.16; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 753, 2010 (consolidated), Schedule 17 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 6.4 Permit property to become/remain $100.00 $50.00 $125.00 Yes 6.8 Storage of more than 1 unlicensed $100.00 $50.00 $125.00 Yes 6.4 Permit property to become/remain unsightly $100.00 $50.00 6.1 Permit accumulation of rubbish $100.00 $50.00
Bylaw	Nuisance Bylaw 857, 2013 (District of Lake Country).Nuisance Bylaw 857, 2013 (consolidated), Citation s. 10.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as “Nuisance Bylaw 857, 2013.”

How it works

The Nuisance Bylaw 857 says owners and occupiers in Lake Country must not allow stagnant water, rubbish or noxious or offensive matter to collect, a "visual nuisance", or unsightliness from filth, rubbish or graffiti. More than one unlicensed vehicle on the premises is also banned. Rubbish may be stored only in an accessory building or a screened area of 30 m² or less.

Steps

Submit a Bylaw Service Request online, email bylaw@lakecountry.bc.ca or call Bylaw Services at 250-766-6673. Give your name, because anonymous complaints are not accepted.
A Bylaw Enforcement Officer investigates and may issue a written order to fix the problem.
If it is not fixed 15 days after the order is delivered, the District may enter and do the work at the owner's or occupier's expense.

Good to know

Exceptions: outdoor storage allowed by the Zoning Bylaw, and on Agricultural Land Reserve land farmed under normal farm practices, up to two unlicensed non-farm vehicles and farm waste or fertilizer storage.
Costs not paid by December 31 can be added to the property taxes.
Per the District's page, weeds over 8 inches fall under the RDCO's Invasive Weed Control Bylaw. The Nuisance Bylaw sets no grass height.
The ticket for rubbish accumulation or a visual nuisance is the same amount.