Squamish unsightly property rules and how to report
How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Squamish?
Short answer
Report an unsightly property to Squamish Bylaw Enforcement. Describe the condition and how the property relates to yours. An officer may ask for a statement while working with the owner.
Key facts
| What counts | The notice schedule lists accumulated rubbish or water, unsanitary conditions, noxious weeds, unsafe trees or growth, and graffiti.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015, Unsightly Premises schedule, sections 2(a)–(f) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingDistrict of Squamish Unsightly Premises Regulation Bylaw No. 1868, 2005 (Amended as per Bylaw 2714) Designated Bylaw Contraventions and Penalties 2(a) Accumulation of refuse, $200 $180 $220 No garbage or other material 2(b) Water accumulation $200 $180 $220 No 2(c) Unsanitary conditions $200 $180 $220 No 2(d) Noxious weeds $200 $180 $220 No 2(e) Unsafe tree or other $200 $180 $220 No growth 2(f) Causing or permitting $500 $450 $550 No graffiti on property |
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| How to report | Call Squamish Bylaw Enforcement at 604-815-5067. Describe the condition and its effect on your property.Enforcement, What regulations do Bylaw Officers enforce?; Bylaws and Enforcement, Submitting a bylaw complaint · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingSome complaints are easily remedied while others, like unsightly or untidy properties, often take more time as we work with the property owner to rectify any issues. When submitting an unsightly premises complaint, you may be asked for a statement to articulate the unsightliness of the property as well as your relationship to the offending property. You may be asked to complete a “noise log” when submitting a noise complaint. Bylaw Enforcement Officers can be contacted by telephone at 604.815.5067. If you reach voicemail, please leave a detailed message as the officers may be out on patrol. An officer will respond within 72 hours to general nuisance complaints, although we aim to respond sooner. Health, safety and environmental impact complaints will be prioritized. |
| What happens next | Not confirmed. Checked Enforcement - District of Squamish - Hardwired for Adventure, Noise Regulation Bylaw No. 2312, 2014; not found there. |
| Fine | Accumulated refuse, unsanitary conditions or noxious weeds each carry a $200 notice ($180 within 14 days, $220 after 28 days). Causing or permitting graffiti carries $500 ($450 early, $550 late).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015, Section 5 and Unsightly Premises schedule, section 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording(b) if received by the District within fourteen (14) days of the person receiving or being presumed to have received the bylaw notice, the discounted penalty set out in Column 2 opposite the contravention; (c) if more than twenty-eight (28) days after the person received or is presumed to have received the bylaw notice, the late penalty set out in Column 3 opposite the contravention; or District of Squamish Unsightly Premises Regulation Bylaw No. 1868, 2005 (Amended as per Bylaw 2714) Designated Bylaw Contraventions and Penalties Early payment Late payment Compliance penalty within 14 penalty after 28 agreement Penalty days days reduced penalty 2(a) Accumulation of refuse, $200 $180 $220 No garbage or other material 2(b) Water accumulation $200 $180 $220 No 2(c) Unsanitary conditions $200 $180 $220 No 2(d) Noxious weeds $200 $180 $220 No 2(e) Unsafe tree or other $200 $180 $220 No growth 2(f) Causing or permitting $500 $450 $550 No graffiti on property |
| Bylaw | Not confirmed. Checked Enforcement - District of Squamish - Hardwired for Adventure, Noise Regulation Bylaw No. 2312, 2014; not found there. |
How it works
Describe the condition a bylaw officer could locate on the property. An address, the part of the lot affected and a description of what has accumulated are more helpful than a general description of the property as untidy. The notice schedule lists accumulated rubbish or water, unsanitary conditions, noxious weeds, unsafe trees or growth, and graffiti.
Steps
- For the local rules or complaint route, use Enforcement. Write down the civic address or nearest identifiable location. Describe the material, vegetation or structure you are concerned about and how long you have observed it.
- Report the condition through the local complaint channel. If you include a photograph, explain when it was taken and which part of the property it shows.
- Call Squamish Bylaw Enforcement at 604-815-5067. Describe the condition and its effect on your property.
Good to know
- Accumulated refuse, unsanitary conditions or noxious weeds each carry a $200 notice ($180 within 14 days, $220 after 28 days). Causing or permitting graffiti carries $500 ($450 early, $550 late).
- Return Squamish’s bylaw notice dispute form within 14 days to ask for review.
- Keep a copy of what you submitted. Use the same address and any reference number if you later have more information about the original complaint.
- Read the applicable provisions in Bylaw Notice Dispute Form (PDF) and Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015 (PDF).
The same question in other places
Lions Bay · Bowen Island · West Vancouver · Gibsons · District of North Vancouver · North Vancouver
Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Enforcement (read 2026-11-09)
- Bylaws and Enforcement (read 2026-11-09)
- Bylaw Notice Dispute Form (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015 (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 3 of 5 facts was matched to the official text; 2 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.