District of North Vancouver unsightly property rules and how to report
How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in the District of North Vancouver?
Short answer
In the District of North Vancouver (not the City of North Vancouver), owners must not let property become unsightly or collect rubbish, vehicle parts or inoperable vehicles where others can see them. Report it to the District in person, by phone or in writing. The fine is $100.
Key facts
| What counts | Owners and occupiers must not let property become or remain unsightly, or let rubbish, discarded materials, vehicle parts or unlicensed or inoperable vehicles collect where they can be seen from another parcel or a public place. Building materials over 15 days need a building permit. No shipping containers in residential zones (unless for permitted construction). Clear brush, grass over 30 cm and noxious weeds.Nuisance Abatement Bylaw 7325, ss. 5, 6, 8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo owner or occupier of Real Property shall allow that property to become or remain unsightly the accumulation of Building Materials on the property for more than 15 days clear it of brush, and of grass in excess of 30 centimetres in length and noxious weeds Shipping Container to be stored on such property unless the materials are in a closed building or structure such that they are not visible from for more than 15 days unless: clear it of brush, and of grass in excess of 30 centimetres in length and noxious weeds or |
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| How to report | Complaints are accepted in person, by phone or in writing (letter or email). Give the location, a description of the problem, and your name, address, and phone or email. Anonymous complaints are not acted on unless they are a safety issue.Complaint and Enforcement Policy, s. 5 Receiving Complaints · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingComplaints may be received: Complainants must provide a location and general description of the potential Complainants must provide their name, address, telephone number or email. |
| What happens next | A bylaw officer may serve an Order to Comply requiring the problem be fixed within 14 days (or a date the officer thinks reasonable). The owner can appeal to Council in writing at least 72 hours before the deadline. If not done, the District may do the work at the owner's cost; unpaid invoices at December 31 are added to property taxes.Nuisance Abatement Bylaw 7325, ss. 12, 14, 18, 19 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingwhich requires the person to remedy the nuisance within 14 days or at least 72 hours prior to the expiry of the time given in the Order to the Municipality by its employees and others may enter the Real Property and perform the obligations the invoice shall be added to and form part of the taxes payable on the subject Real |
| Fine | Municipal ticket: $100 for unsightly property (and for most items; running a stationary vehicle over 3 minutes is $50). Bylaw notice: $100 ($75 if paid within 14 days, $150 after 28 days); a compliance agreement can cut it to $50 for several offences.Nuisance Abatement Bylaw 7325, s. 17; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7458, Schedule A, Nuisance Abatement Bylaw 7325 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingUnsightly Property 5 $100.00 Run Stationary Vehicle 6(c) $ 50.00 5 Unsightly Property 100 75 150 YES 50 |
| Bylaw | Nuisance Abatement Bylaw 7325Nuisance Abatement Bylaw 7325, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingTHE DISTRICT OF NORTH VANCOUVER NUISANCE ABATEMENT BYLAW BYLAW 7325 Effective Date - September 3, 2002 |
How it works
The Nuisance Abatement Bylaw 7325 says owners and occupiers in the District of North Vancouver must not let property become or remain unsightly. That includes rubbish, discarded materials, vehicle parts, and unlicensed or inoperable vehicles that can be seen from another parcel or a public place. Grass over 30 cm, brush and noxious weeds must be cleared. Building materials left over 15 days need a building permit. Shipping containers are not allowed in residential zones (unless for permitted construction).
Steps
- Report the property to Bylaw Services (604-990-3711), in person, by phone or in writing (letter or email). The District complaint policy asks for the location, a description of the problem, and your name, address, and phone or email.
- Anonymous complaints are not acted on unless they are a safety issue.
- A bylaw officer may serve an Order to Comply. The problem must be fixed within 14 days, or a date the officer thinks reasonable.
- If it is not fixed, the District may do the work at the owner's cost. Unpaid invoices at December 31 are added to property taxes.
Good to know
- The owner can appeal an order to Council in writing at least 72 hours before the deadline.
- Fine: a municipal ticket is $100 for unsightly property (running a stationary vehicle over 3 minutes is $50). A bylaw notice is $100 ($75 if paid within 14 days, $150 after 28 days). A compliance agreement can cut it to $50 for several offences.
- Graffiti is covered by a separate Graffiti Bylaw (fine $200).
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
North Vancouver · Belcarra · West Vancouver · Port Moody · Burnaby · Richmond
Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- https://docs.dnv.org/documents/dog-walkers-guide.pdf (read 2026-11-06)
- Nuisance Abatement Bylaw 7325 (PDF), District of North Vancouver (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7458 (PDF), District of North Vancouver (read 2026-11-06)
- Complaint and Enforcement Policy (PDF), District of North Vancouver (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.