Summerland unsightly property rules and how to report

How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property?

Summerland, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In Summerland, report an unsightly or overgrown property to Bylaw Services using the online complaint form or bylaw@summerland.ca. Good Neighbour Bylaw 2021-023 bans rubbish, noxious weeds, derelict vehicles and similar buildup, and officers can order the owner to clean up within 14 days.

Key facts

What counts	Owners and occupiers must not let property become or stay unsightly. No accumulation of water, filth, rubbish or demolition waste; dead landscaping or noxious weeds; derelict vehicles, boats or trailers; vehicle parts; noxious materials; unstacked firewood; or building materials over 15 days (unless permitted, under a building permit or stored out of sight). Graffiti must be removed.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2021-023, ss. 5.2, 5.5, 10.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No owner or occupier of real property shall permit or allow the real property to permit the accumulation of dead landscaping, vegetation, noxious weeds keep a derelict vehicle of any sort, including but not limited to a motor for more than fifteen (15) days unless: Every owner or occupier of real property shall keep any wall, building, fence, sign the owner of the real property is in possession of a valid building
How to report	Use the online complaint form, email bylaw@summerland.ca, or return the complaint form in person or by mail to Municipal Hall, 13211 Henry Avenue. Anonymous complaints are not investigated. Call 250-494-6451 ext. 4.Bylaw Complaint, How to report; Bylaw Services, Questions? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording By email: send your complaint, or the completed complaint form, to bylaw@summerland.ca. Anonymous complaints will not be investigated. Contact Bylaw Services at 250-494-6451 ext. 4 or bylaw@summerland.ca
What happens next	The District first seeks voluntary compliance. A Bylaw Enforcement Officer can then issue an order to comply: 14 days from service (10 days for a vacant building in disrepair), or longer if reasonable. If it is not done and the owner has had a chance to be heard, the District may do the work at the owner's cost; unpaid costs are added to the property taxes.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2021-023, ss. 13.2, 13.5; Bylaw Services, Bylaw Compliance & Enforcement · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording requiring the person to remedy the nuisance or non-compliance within fourteen (14) days of deemed service or ten (10) days in the case of a contravention of the District, by its employees, contractors and agents may enter the real property and effect compliance with the order to comply at the expense of the owner. Reasonable attempts will be made to secure voluntary compliance prior to initiating any manner of enforcement action.
Fine	Allowing an unsightly property (s. 5.2): bylaw notice $250 ($225 within 14 days; $275 after 28 days); municipal ticket $250. The specific items in s. 5.5 (rubbish, dead vegetation or weeds, derelict vehicle, vehicle parts, unstacked firewood, building materials): $100 ($90; $110) on both.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375, Schedule A (consolidated to December 9, 2025), Schedule A, Good Neighbour Bylaw s. 5.2, 5.5; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 95-030 (consolidated to December 9, 2025), Schedule 8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Allow unsightly property 5.2 $250.00 $225.00 $275.00 Keep a derelict vehicle 5.5(c) $100.00 $90.00 $110.00 Unstacked firewood 5.5(f) $100.00 $90.00 $110.00 Allow unsightly property 5.2 $250.00 Keep a derelict vehicle 5.5(c) $100.00
Bylaw	Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2021-023 (Part 5, Property Maintenance)Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 95-030 (consolidated to December 9, 2025), Schedule A; Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2021-023, Part 5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 8. Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2021-023 5. PROPERTY MAINTENANCE 5.1 No owner or occupier of real property shall permit any act to be done which THE CORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT OF SUMMERLAND BYLAW NO. 2021-023 A bylaw for the purpose of preventing, abating, and prohibiting

How it works

Under the Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2021-023 (Part 5), owners and occupiers in the District of Summerland must not let property become or stay unsightly. The bylaw bans accumulations of water, filth, rubbish or demolition waste; dead landscaping or noxious weeds; derelict vehicles, boats or trailers; vehicle parts; noxious materials; and firewood that is not stacked. Firewood is allowed in open stacked rows no wider than 1.2 m and no higher than 1.5 m.

Building materials may stay no more than 15 days, unless they are permitted, covered by a building permit, or stored out of sight. Graffiti must be removed. Vacant buildings in disrepair and rental properties kept below the neighbourhood standard are also covered.

Steps

Note the address and take photos if you can.
File a complaint: use the online form, email bylaw@summerland.ca, or return the complaint form in person or by mail to Municipal Hall. Give your name and phone number; anonymous complaints are not investigated.
The District first seeks voluntary compliance. A Bylaw Enforcement Officer can then issue an order to comply.
If the work is not done and the owner has had a chance to be heard, the District may do it at the owner's cost. Unpaid costs are added to the property taxes.

Good to know

Ticket for allowing an unsightly property: a bylaw notice is $250 ($225 within 14 days; $275 after 28 days); a municipal ticket is $250.
Specific items (rubbish, dead vegetation or weeds, derelict vehicle, vehicle parts, unstacked firewood, building materials): a bylaw notice is $100 ($90; $110); a municipal ticket is $100.
Failing to comply with an order is a $250 ticket on both schedules.