Nelson unsightly property rules and how to report

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

Nelson, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In Nelson, send a Bylaw Enforcement Request Form to Bylaw Services. The Property Maintenance Bylaw 2375 bars rubbish, graffiti and dead vegetation, and requires grass over 8 inches (20.32 cm) to be cut. The bylaw notice for unsightly property is $250.

Key facts

What counts	An owner or occupier must not let property become or stay unsightly: rubbish, filth or offensive matter piling up (including around containers), dead landscaping or growths, graffiti, bottles or glass thrown on any property. Grass over 8 inches (20.32 cm) and noxious weeds must be cut. Unsightly includes visible rubbish, untidy building materials, and dead or uncontrolled vegetation.Property Maintenance Bylaw 2375, 1990 (consolidation revised November 4, 2013), s. 1, 2, 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No owner or occupier of real property shall cause, permit, place or suffer: allow the real property to become or remain unsightly; grass may not to exceed a height in excess of 8 inches (or 20.32 centimeters) landscaping or vegetation that is dead or characterized by uncontrolled growth or lack of maintenance or is
How to report	Submit the City's Bylaw Enforcement Request Form: hand deliver, mail or email it to Bylaw Services, Suite 101, 310 Ward Street, or give it to City Hall first-floor reception. Phone 250-505-5666. Anonymous complaints are not accepted.Request Bylaw Enforcement; Bylaw Services · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording To file a request for enforcement related to a City of Nelson bylaw violation, please use the Bylaw Enforcement Request Form. We do not accept anonymous complaints. - #### Bylaw Enforcement Email Phone: 250-505-5666 ### Related Links - Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw (Penalties)
What happens next	The City may give the owner, occupier or agent written notice to clean up within seven days, or another period set by Council. If not done, the City may enter and do the work and charge the owner; unpaid charges on December 31 are added to the property taxes.Property Maintenance Bylaw 2375, 1990 (consolidation revised November 4, 2013), s. 4, 5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording within a period of seven (7) days, or within such other period of time as the Council may determine. shall thereafter charge the cost thereof to the owner or occupier or their agents as the case may be, such charges shall be added to and form part of the taxes payable in respect of that
Fine	Bylaw notice: unsightly property $250 ($200 within 14 days; $500 after 28 days). Filth, rubbish or debris accumulating $250. Graffiti $500 ($450; $500). Grass over 8 inches or noxious weeds $250.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 3195, Schedule A, Schedule A, Property Maintenance, s. 2(a), 2(g), 3(d) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Allow property to Property 2(a) $250 $200 $500 No become or remain unsightly Deface buildings or Property 2(g) $500 $450 $500 No Allow grass to grow Property 3(d) $250 $200 $500 No
Bylaw	Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 2375, 1990.Bylaws, City bylaw list; Property Maintenance Bylaw 2375, 1990 (consolidation revised November 4, 2013), Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 2375, 1990 (Consolidated) BYLAW NO. 2375, 1990

How it works

Under the Property Maintenance Bylaw 2375, an owner or occupier in Nelson must not let property become or stay unsightly. That covers rubbish, filth or offensive matter piling up (including around containers), dead landscaping or growths, graffiti, and bottles or glass thrown on any property. Grass over 8 inches (20.32 cm) and noxious weeds must be cut. In residential and other listed zones, section 6 also lists building materials stored without a permit, goods for sale, unlicensed vehicles or wrecks, parts and heavy equipment as conditions that may be unsightly.

Steps

Fill in the City's Bylaw Enforcement Request Form. Anonymous complaints are not accepted.
Hand deliver, mail or email it to Bylaw Services at Suite 101, 310 Ward Street, or give it to City Hall first-floor reception.
Bylaw Services decides whether there are grounds to issue a notice. It is not obliged to issue one. Phone 250-505-5666 with questions.

Good to know

The City may give the owner, occupier or agent written notice to clean up within seven days, or another period set by Council. If it is not done, the City may enter, do the work and charge the owner. Unpaid charges on December 31 are added to the property taxes.
Nelson uses bylaw notices only; no municipal ticket was found.
The bylaw's section 6 names old zones (R-1, C-1 and so on). Ask Bylaw Services how it applies under the current zoning bylaw.