Lions Bay unsightly property rules and how to report
How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Lions Bay?
Short answer
In Lions Bay, report an unsightly or overgrown property to Bylaw Services in writing, using the online complaint form, bylaw@lionsbay.ca, or a letter to the Village Office. You must give your name, address, contact information and your relationship to the property.
Key facts
| What counts | An owner must not let a parcel become or stay unsightly or a nuisance. Examples: accumulated rubbish, scrap, appliances, tires or vehicle parts in view; stagnant water; graffiti; building materials left over 15 days without a permit; unlicensed or inoperable vehicles; an unsafe or unsightly fence; brush, noxious weeds, or grass over 30 cm; a nuisance outdoor light.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 412, 2009, s. 5.1, 5.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingNo Owner may allow a parcel owned by the Owner to become or remain unsightly. no Owner in respect of a parcel of the Owner may cause, allow or permit the accumulation of building materials on the parcel for more than 15 days unless: clear the parcel of brush, noxious weeds listed in Schedule “A”, and of grass in excess of 30 centimetres in length; |
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| How to report | In writing: the online complaint or witness form, email to bylaw@lionsbay.ca, or a letter to Bylaw Services at the Village Office. You must give your name, address, contact information and your relationship to the property. Phone Bylaw Services at 604-834-3404 if timing matters.Bylaw Enforcement, intro; Making a Complaint, Bylaw Infractions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingComplaints should be made in writing using our online complaint or witness form, or by email to bylaw@lionsbay.ca calling Bylaw Services at 604-834-3404 you must provide your name, address and contact information |
| What happens next | An enforcement officer may serve an Order to Comply: 14 days to fix it, or 3 days if a nuisance. The owner may appeal to Council in writing at least 72 hours before the deadline. If not done, the Village may do the work at the owner's cost, and unpaid costs after December 31 go on the property taxes.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 412, 2009, s. 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingthe Enforcement officer may, serve on such person an Order to Comply which requires three days if the Enforcement officer believes the contravention is a nuisance appeal to the Council who must hear at least 72 hours prior to the expiry of the time given perform the obligations at the expense of the person defaulting. the cost shall be added to and form part of the taxes payable on the parcel as taxes in arrears. |
| Fine | Bylaw notice: $200 ($185 if paid within 14 days, $215 after 28 days) for allowing an unsightly parcel or accumulation, stagnant water, rubbish in view, or an unsafe fence. $100 ($90, $110) for graffiti, building materials, stored vehicles, failing to remove accumulations or clear weeds and grass.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 385, 2006, Schedule A, Schedule A, Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 412 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAllow unsightly parcel $200 $185 $215 YES Place graffiti $100 $90 $110 YES Fail to clear parcel of brush, noxious weeds $100 $90 $110 Fail to repair or remove fence $200 $185 $215 YES |
| Bylaw | Good Neighbour Bylaw No 412, 2009.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 412, 2009, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited as “Good Neighbour Bylaw No 412, 2009.” |
How it works
The Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 412 says an owner must not let a parcel become or stay unsightly or a nuisance. Examples include accumulated rubbish, scrap, appliances, tires or vehicle parts in view; stagnant water; graffiti; building materials left over 15 days without a permit; unlicensed or inoperable vehicles; an unsafe or unsightly fence; brush, noxious weeds, or grass over 30 cm; and a nuisance outdoor light. Items in a closed building not visible from another parcel or a public place are not caught by the rubbish rule.
Steps
- Report in writing: use the online complaint or witness form, email bylaw@lionsbay.ca, or write to Bylaw Services at the Village Office.
- Give your name, address, contact information and your relationship to the property.
- Phone Bylaw Services at 604-834-3404 if timing matters.
- An enforcement officer may serve an Order to Comply.
Good to know
- An Order to Comply gives the owner 14 days to fix it, or 3 days if it is a nuisance. The owner may appeal to Council in writing at least 72 hours before the deadline.
- If the work is not done, the Village may do it at the owner's cost. Unpaid costs after December 31 go on the property taxes.
- Bylaw notice fines (Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw): $200 ($185 if paid within 14 days, $215 after 28 days) for an unsightly parcel or accumulation, stagnant water, rubbish in view or an unsafe fence. $100 ($90, $110) for graffiti, building materials, stored vehicles, or failing to remove accumulations or clear weeds and grass.
- The bylaw itself sets a court fine of not less than $500 and not more than $10,000.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
West Vancouver · Bowen Island · District of North Vancouver · North Vancouver · Gibsons · Squamish
Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 412, 2009 (PDF), Village of Lions Bay (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 385, 2006, Schedule A (PDF), Village of Lions Bay (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Enforcement, Village of Lions Bay (read 2026-11-08)
- Making a Complaint, Village of Lions Bay (read 2026-11-08)
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.