Qualicum Beach unsightly property rules and how to report
How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Qualicum Beach?
In Qualicum Beach, report an unsightly property to Bylaw Enforcement at 250-738-2205 or through the Public Inquiry Form. Complaints must be in writing with your name, address and phone. An unsightly property is a $200 ticket; owners get 30 days to comply with an order.
Key facts
| What counts | An owner must not let their property become or remain unsightly. Unsightly includes accumulations of junk, filth, litter, brush, discarded materials, rubbish, graffiti, derelict vehicles or vehicle parts; damaged or rotting structures; dead or uncontrolled landscaping; and serious disrepair. Other rules: no derelict vehicles, and no boat, trailer or RV in poor repair (mould, flat tires), unless fully enclosed; building materials outside for no more than 15 days unless there is a building permit; rubbish only in garbage containers with closed lids.Property Maintenance and Standards Bylaw No. 720, 2018, s. 3(1); Property Maintenance and Standards Bylaw No. 720, 2018, s. 3(6)-(7) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOwner of Property shall cause, permit or allow the Property to become or remain an accumulation of Junk, Filth, litter, brush, Discarded Materials, refuse, Rubbish, boat, trailer or recreational vehicle in a dismantled condition or state of disrepair, accumulation of Building Materials on Property for more than |
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| How to report | Use the Public Inquiry Form or call Bylaw Enforcement at 250.738.2205. Town policy says a complaint must be in writing and give the complainant's name, address and phone number and the location and nature of the problem. Anonymous complaints are not normally acted on.Bylaw Enforcement, Contact Us; Contact Us, Get in Touch; Bylaw Complaint Procedure, Policy 3000-19, Policy 3000-19, s.2(a),(d) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingTo report a concern or ask a question, please use the Public Inquiry Form to contact the Town. | 250.752.6921 | Airport | 250.752.6921 | Bylaw Enforcement | 250.738.2205 | Building Inspection | 250.738.2202 In order to be considered, a complaint with respect to an Bylaw Officers will not normally respond to anonymous |
| What happens next | A Bylaw Enforcement Officer can serve the owner with an Order by registered mail and, if occupied, by posting it on the property. The owner has 30 days to comply (7 days for hate graffiti). If not, the Town may enter and do the work at the owner's expense and recover the cost like property taxes. An owner who wants to contest must tell the Corporate Administrator in writing within 5 days of the posting or mailing to appear before Council.Property Maintenance and Standards Bylaw No. 720, 2018, s. 5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingin all other cases, within 30 days of the date the Order is served on the Owner recover the costs in the same manner and with the same remedies as ordinary taxes must within 5 days |
| Fine | Municipal ticket: $200 for an owner allowing a property to become unsightly. Most related offences (derelict vehicle, rubbish visible, overflowing garbage container, graffiti) are $100. A court may fine $1,000 to $10,000.Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 626, consolidated to 626.07, Sched. 11, items 1-14; Property Maintenance and Standards Bylaw No. 720, 2018, s. 6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOwner permits or allows property to become unsightly $200.00 a penalty not exceeding $10,000 and not less than $1,000 |
| Bylaw | Town of Qualicum Beach Property Maintenance and Standards Bylaw No. 720, 2018Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 626, consolidated to 626.07, Sched. 1, item 11; Property Maintenance and Standards Bylaw No. 720, 2018, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingProperty Maintenance and Standards Bylaw No. 720, 2018 TOWN OF QUALICUMBEACH BYLAW NO. 720 A BYLAW TO REGULATE UNSIGHTLY PREMISES IN THE TOWN OF QUALICUMBEACH |
How it works
The Property Maintenance and Standards Bylaw No. 720 says an owner must not let their property become or remain unsightly. Unsightly includes accumulations of junk, filth, litter, brush, discarded materials, rubbish, graffiti, derelict vehicles or vehicle parts, damaged or rotting structures, dead or uncontrolled landscaping, and serious disrepair.
Other rules in the bylaw:
- No derelict vehicles, and no boat, trailer or RV in poor repair (mould, flat tires) unless fully enclosed.
- Building materials may be outside for no more than 15 days unless there is a building permit.
- Rubbish goes only in garbage containers with closed lids.
Overgrown grass and weeds are in a separate Noxious Weeds and Grass Control Bylaw No. 722, 2018, which this answer did not read.
Steps to report
- Use the Public Inquiry Form on the Town's bylaw enforcement page, or call Bylaw Enforcement at 250-738-2205.
- Put the complaint in writing with your name, address and phone number, and the location and nature of the problem (Policy 3000-19). Anonymous complaints are not normally acted on.
What happens next
A Bylaw Enforcement Officer can serve the owner with an Order by registered mail and, if the property is occupied, by posting it. The owner has 30 days to comply (7 days for hate graffiti). If not, the Town may do the work at the owner's expense and recover the cost like property taxes. An owner who wants to contest must tell the Corporate Administrator in writing within 5 days of the posting or mailing, to appear before Council.
Good to know
- The Town's complaint policy says staff often warn first and allow a short time to comply.
- A $200 ticket applies to an unsightly property. Most related offences are $100. A court may fine $1,000 to $10,000.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Parksville · Lantzville · Port Alberni · Nanaimo · Sechelt · Comox
Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Property Maintenance and Standards Bylaw No. 720, 2018 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 626, consolidated to 626.07 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Complaint Procedure, Policy 3000-19 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Enforcement, Town of Qualicum Beach (read 2026-11-06)
- Contact Us, Town of Qualicum Beach (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.