Princeton unsightly property rules and how to report
How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Princeton?
Short answer
In Princeton, the Property Maintenance Bylaw bars unsightly property, such as rubbish, derelict vehicles and grass or weeds over 30 cm. Report it with the Town's online complaint form or to Bylaw Services at 778-720-6114 or 250-295-3135. A ticket is $200 or more.
Key facts
| What counts | An owner or occupier must not let their property become or stay 'unsightly', or allow: rubbish, filth, litter or waste to accumulate; derelict vehicles (unless in a building or fully screened in the rear-yard setback); grass or weeds over 30 cm or dead or uncontrolled; noxious weeds; stagnant water; graffiti; a fence or structure in disrepair; building materials (unless a business licence, building permit or covered storage); overflowing refuse around containers; or a hazard tree.Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1059, 2026, s. 4.1, 4.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAn Owner or Occupier of Property must not cause, suffer, or permit on their Property: grass, weeds, or similar ground cover to exceed thirty (30) centimetres in height or to become dead or otherwise uncontrolled; An Owner or Occupier of Property must not cause, suffer, or permit their Property to become or remain Unsightly. |
|---|---|
| How to report | Use the Town's online bylaw complaint form, or hand in a written complaint at The Annex (231 Bridge Street) or Town Hall (151 Vermilion Avenue) during regular business hours. Bylaw Services: 778-720-6114 or 250-295-3135, bylaw@princeton.ca.Bylaw Services · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThe Bylaw Department is encouraging residents to submit Bylaw Complaints using the new Online Form. Written complaints may be submitted at The Annex, 231 Bridge Street, OR Town Hall, 151 Vermilion Avenue, during regular business hours. Email: bylaw@princeton.ca |
| What happens next | A Bylaw Enforcement Officer may issue a Compliance Warning, then a Compliance Order with a compliance date. The owner or occupier can appeal to Council in writing at least 7 calendar days before the compliance date. If the order is not met, the Town may do the work and charge the owner (30 days to pay; unpaid costs added to property taxes), including a $100 administrative fee per file plus actual costs.Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1059, 2026, ss. 6.1, 6.3, 7.1, 8.3, 8.4, Schedule B · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingmay issue a Compliance Warning followed by a Compliance Order requiring the Owner or Occupier to bring the Property into compliance by the specified compliance date may appeal to Council by written notice received by the Town no later than seven (7) calendar days prior to the compliance date Administrative Fee (per $100 must pay all such costs within thirty (30) days of the date of the invoice |
| Fine | Permit unsightly property: $200 ($100 if paid within 30 days). Rubbish accumulating, derelict vehicle, unsightly growth, unsightly fence, building materials, overflowing rubbish: $200 each ($100 early). Noxious weeds, stagnant water, graffiti not removed, unusable structure, hazard tree: $300 ($150 early). Graffiti on public property or dumping on public property: $500 ($250 early). Failing to comply with a Compliance Order: $500 ($250 early).Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1059, 2026, Schedule A; s. 9.9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording4.2 Permit unsightly property 200 100 4.1 (d) Permit noxious weeds 300 150 6.3 Fail to comply with a 500 250 If a person pays a fine within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of issuance of a ticket |
| Bylaw | Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1059, 2026 (adopted February 18, 2026; repeals Bylaw No. 813, 2009)Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1059, 2026, s. 1.1, s. 11.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingProperty Maintenance Bylaw No. 1059, 2026 “Town of Princeton Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 813, 2009” and all amendments thereto are hereby repealed. |
How it works
The Town's Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1059, 2026 says an owner or occupier must not let a property become or stay "unsightly". That includes:
- rubbish, filth, litter or waste piling up
- derelict vehicles, unless in a building or fully screened in the rear-yard setback
- grass or weeds over 30 cm, or dead or uncontrolled growth, and noxious weeds
- stagnant water and graffiti
- a fence or structure in disrepair
- building materials, unless there is a business licence, building permit or covered storage
- overflowing refuse around containers, and hazard trees
Owners must also maintain the boulevard, sidewalk and lane next to the property, including clearing snow and ice from the sidewalk before 11:00 a.m. each day.
Steps
- Use the Town's online bylaw complaint form, or hand in a written complaint at The Annex (231 Bridge Street) or Town Hall (151 Vermilion Avenue) during business hours.
- Or contact Bylaw Services: 778-720-6114 or 250-295-3135, bylaw@princeton.ca.
- An officer may issue a Compliance Warning, then a Compliance Order with a compliance date.
Good to know
- An owner or occupier can appeal an order to Council in writing at least 7 calendar days before the compliance date.
- If the order is not met, the Town may do the work and charge the owner, including a $100 administrative fee per file plus actual costs. The owner has 30 days to pay, and unpaid costs are added to property taxes.
- Tickets: $200 ($100 if paid within 30 days) for rubbish, a derelict vehicle, unsightly growth, an unsightly fence, building materials or overflowing rubbish. $300 ($150 early) for noxious weeds, stagnant water, graffiti not removed, an unusable structure or a hazard tree. $500 ($250 early) for graffiti or dumping on public property, or for not following a Compliance Order. A ticket not paid within 30 days must be paid in full.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Keremeos · Summerland · Hope · Penticton · Peachland · Merritt
Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1059, 2026 (PDF), Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Services, Town of Princeton (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.