Spallumcheen unsightly property rules and how to report
How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Spallumcheen?
Short answer
In the Township of Spallumcheen, owners must not let property become unsightly. To report one, send a written complaint with your name and contact details to the Township office. A ticket for an unsightly condition is $125 ($100 if paid within 14 days).
Key facts
| What counts | An owner or occupier must not let property become or remain unsightly. Examples: broken or leaning fences, strewn materials, unenclosed vehicle storage, rubbish, indoor furniture or appliances stored outside, dirty or dilapidated building exteriors, unused landscaping materials, uncontained compost, weeds, dead or overgrown landscaping, and graffiti.Untidy and Unsightly Premises Bylaw 1710, 2008, s. 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo owner or occupier of real property shall permit that property to become or remain dilapidated, broken or leaning fences; accumulation of rubbish uncontained compost piles; graffiti on fences, buildings or other structures |
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| How to report | Send a written complaint by email (mail@spallumcheentwp.bc.ca) or the Township complaint form, with full name, address and contact information; anonymous complaints are not accepted. Phone 250-546-3013 for information. A complaint is pursued only if two separate properties complain, or the complainant is adjacent with no other neighbours, or the CAO finds an urgent health and safety matter.Bylaw Enforcement, Bylaw Enforcement page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe complainant has filed a complaint in writing to the Municipality via email or using the Complaint Form the complainant MUST provide their full name, address and contact information. Anonymous complaints will not be accepted or acted upon. There are two (2) separate complaints from two (2) separate properties filed, or the complainant resides on a property directly affected by or adjacent to the offending property where no other neighbours exist, or the complaint is reviewed by the Chief Administrative Officer and determined to be an obvious and urgent health and safety matter. |
| What happens next | An authorized person may give oral notice to the occupier, or written notice by registered mail to the owner or occupant, to remove the unsightly materials or clear the property within the time set in the notice. If not done, the Township may do the work at the person's expense; unpaid costs after December 31 of that year are added to the property taxes.Untidy and Unsightly Premises Bylaw 1710, 2008, s. 5; s. 6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingby oral notice given to an occupier of real property or by within the time specified in the notice. effect the compliance specified in the notice at the expense of the the costs will be added to and form part of the taxes payable on the real property |
| Fine | Municipal ticket: $125 ($100 if paid within 14 days) for each listed unsightly condition; $550 ($500) for failing to comply with a notice; $550 ($500) for interfering with an authorized person.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2023, 2021, Schedule B.10; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2023, 2021, s. 4(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording3 (e) Accumulation of rubbish $125.00 $100.00 6 (a) Failure to comply with notice $550.00 $500.00 7 Interfere with Authorized Person $550.00 $500.00 If received by the Township within 14 days of the person receiving or |
| Bylaw | Township of Spallumcheen Untidy and Unsightly Premises Bylaw 1710, 2008Untidy and Unsightly Premises Bylaw 1710, 2008, footer; s. 12 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingTownship of Spallumcheen Untidy and Unsightly Premises Bylaw 1710, 2008 |
How it works
The Untidy and Unsightly Premises Bylaw 1710 says an owner or occupier must not let property become or remain unsightly. Examples include broken or leaning fences, strewn materials, unenclosed vehicle storage, rubbish, indoor furniture or appliances stored outside, dirty or dilapidated building exteriors, uncontained compost, weeds, dead or overgrown landscaping, and graffiti. Normal farm practices under the Right to Farm Act, and outside storage permitted and screened under the Zoning Bylaw, are not covered.
Steps
- Email mail@spallumcheentwp.bc.ca or use the Township complaint form, with your full name, address and contact information. Anonymous complaints are not accepted.
- The Township tries education and communication first, then municipal tickets or legal action.
- An authorized person may give oral notice to the occupier, or written notice by registered mail to the owner or occupant, to clear the property within the time set in the notice.
Good to know
- A complaint is pursued only if two separate properties complain, or the complainant is adjacent with no other neighbours, or the Chief Administrative Officer finds an urgent health and safety matter.
- If the work is not done, the Township may do it at the person's expense. Unpaid costs after December 31 of that year are added to the property taxes.
- Tickets: $125 ($100 if paid within 14 days) for each listed condition; $550 ($500) for failing to comply with a notice or for interfering with an authorized person.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Armstrong · Enderby · Vernon · Coldstream · Lumby · Lake Country
Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Untidy and Unsightly Premises Bylaw 1710, 2008 (PDF), Township of Spallumcheen (read 2026-11-06)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2023, 2021 (PDF), Township of Spallumcheen (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Enforcement, Township of Spallumcheen (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.