Saanich unsightly property rules and how to report
How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Saanich?
Short answer
In Saanich, owners and occupiers must not let property become unsightly, including overgrown grass, junk and unlicensed vehicles. Report it to Bylaw Enforcement at 250-475-5456 or bylaw@saanich.ca. An officer can order the owner to fix it within ten business days. A bylaw notice is $350.
Key facts
| What counts | Owners and occupiers must not let property become or remain unsightly. Examples: broken or rotten fences, inoperable or unlicensed vehicles, idle construction materials, old wood or paper piles, indoor furniture, bedding or appliances stored outside, dirty or dilapidated exteriors, refuse, graffiti, unmowed grass or broad-leaf weeds over 20 cm (inside the Urban Containment Boundary, except Naturescape properties), dead plants, uncontained compost. Graffiti and dumping in public places are also banned.Unsightly Premises Bylaw, 2021, No. 9600, ss. 2.1 to 2.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo owner or occupier of real property shall allow that property to become or remain unmowed grass or broad-leaf weeds in excess of 20 cm in height growing on real property inside the Urban Containment Boundary No person shall cause or permit the placement of graffiti |
|---|---|
| How to report | Call Bylaw Enforcement at 250-475-5456, email bylaw@saanich.ca, or use the Report a Problem form.Complaint Process, Complaint process · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingcall 250-475-5456, email bylaw@saanich.ca or complete the Report a Problem form. |
| What happens next | A bylaw officer can serve a notice requiring the owner or occupier to fix the problem within ten business days. If they do not, Saanich may do the work at the owner's expense; costs unpaid by December 31 are added to the property taxes. Tickets can also be issued.Unsightly Premises Bylaw, 2021, No. 9600, ss. 4.1, 4.3, 4.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingwithin ten (10) business days of the notice Saanich will be entitled to take the required action at the expense of the person given the notice shall be added to and form part of the taxes payable on the real property as taxes in arrears |
| Fine | Bylaw notice: $350 ($300 if paid within 14 days, $400 after 28 days). Municipal ticket: $350 within 30 days, $400 after. Both schedules still cite the repealed 2003 bylaw No. 8417. A court conviction carries a fine of at least $150.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 9525, Schedule 19; Ticket Bylaw, 2010, No. 9029, Schedule 19; Unsightly Premises Bylaw, 2021, No. 9600, s. 5.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAllowing property to become 2.1 $350.00 50% Allowing property to become or remain 2.1 $350.00 $400.00 UNSIGHTLY PREMISES BYLAW, 2003, NO. 8417 Allowing property to become or remain a fine of not less than $150.00 |
| Bylaw | Unsightly Premises Bylaw, 2021, No. 9600Unsightly Premises Bylaw, 2021, No. 9600, s. 9.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingUNSIGHTLY PREMISES BYLAW, 2021, |
How it works
The Unsightly Premises Bylaw, 2021, No. 9600 says owners and occupiers must not let property become or remain unsightly. Examples:
- broken or rotten fences
- inoperable or unlicensed vehicles
- idle construction materials, old wood or paper piles
- indoor furniture, bedding or appliances stored outside
- dirty or dilapidated exteriors, refuse, graffiti, dead plants, uncontained compost
- unmowed grass or broad-leaf weeds over 20 cm (inside the Urban Containment Boundary, except Naturescape properties)
Graffiti and dumping in public places are also banned.
Steps
- Call Bylaw Enforcement at 250-475-5456, email bylaw@saanich.ca, or use the Report a Problem form on the Complaint Process page.
- A bylaw officer can serve a notice requiring the owner or occupier to fix the problem within ten business days.
- If they do not, Saanich may do the work at the owner's expense. Costs unpaid by December 31 are added to the property taxes. Tickets can also be issued.
Good to know
- Saanich's complaint process is primarily complaint-based, so reporting is how most cases start.
- Bylaw notice: $350 ($300 if paid within 14 days, $400 after 28 days). Municipal ticket: $350 within 30 days, $400 after. A court conviction carries a fine of at least $150.
- Both ticket schedules still name the repealed 2003 bylaw, No. 8417, though the section numbers match the current one.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Oak Bay · Esquimalt · Victoria · View Royal · Central Saanich · Colwood
Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Unsightly Premises Bylaw, 2021, No. 9600 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Complaint Process, District of Saanich (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 9525 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Ticket Bylaw, 2010, No. 9029 (PDF) (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.