Telkwa unsightly property rules and how to report
How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property in Telkwa?
Short answer
In Telkwa, report an unsightly property to the Village Office at 250-846-5212 or info@telkwa.ca. The Good Neighbour Bylaw bans accumulated rubbish, derelict vehicles, noxious weeds and similar conditions. The ticket is $159.45 for most offences.
Key facts
| What counts | Owners and occupiers must not let noxious, offensive or unwholesome material (refuse, junk, derelict vehicles) collect, let property become or stay unsightly, or allow standing water, unsanitary conditions, noxious weeds, or trees or growth that are a safety hazard. Graffiti and dumping on a highway are also banned.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 587, 2008, ss. 4, 5, 6; Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 587, 2008, ss. 8, 9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingNo owner or occupier shall cause or permit noxious, offensive or unwholesome material to collect or accumulate on or around the property of that owner or occupier. No owner or occupier shall allow their property to become or to remain unsightly. No person shall place graffiti in such a manner as to be visible from a highway, public place or other property. to store up to two (2) derelict vehicles visible from another property, highway, or other public place provided that the only reason the derelict vehicle is derelict is because it is unlicensed |
|---|---|
| How to report | Call the Village Office (250-846-5212) or email info@telkwa.ca. Complaints must be in written form (in person, by mail, electronically) or by phone to be valid.Bylaws, Bylaw Complaints; Bylaws and Policies, Bylaws and Policies page; Contact, Municipal Office · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingIf you would like to submit a complaint, you can do so by calling the Village Office or sending an email to info(at)telkwa.ca Any complaints involving alleged violations of a Bylaw must be submitted in written form in person, through mail, electronically or by phone to be considered valid. Telkwa, BC V0J 2X0 Phone: 250-846-5212 Fax: 250-846-9572 Email: info@telkwa.ca |
| What happens next | The Bylaw Enforcement Officer may give notice requiring compliance within a stated time. If ignored, Council may order compliance after the owner has a chance to be heard. If the order is ignored, the Village may do the work and recover the cost from the owner or occupier.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 587, 2008, ss. 16 to 19; Bylaws, Bylaw Complaints · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingby notice, require the owner or occupier of the property to comply with this Bylaw within a time period stated in the notice the Council shall give an opportunity to the owner or occupier of the property to appear before Council to be heard may take action under section 17 of the Community Charter to fulfill the requirements of the order and to recover the costs from the owner or occupier of the property In most cases, the Village will seek voluntary compliance first before invoking various enforcement methods. |
| Fine | Unsightly property $159.45; rubbish accumulating $159.45; noxious weeds $159.45; derelict vehicle $318.90; unsanitary conditions $265.75; graffiti $531.50.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 792, 2025, Schedule B, Good Neighbour Bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingPermit Rubbish to Accumulate 4 $ 159.45 Allow Property to Become or Remain 5 $ 159.45 Place Graffiti 6 $ 531.50 Permit the Storage of Derelict Vehicles 8 $ 318.90 Permit Unsanitary Conditions 11 $ 265.75 |
| Bylaw | Village of Telkwa Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 587, 2008.Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 587, 2008, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingGOOD NEIGHBOUR BYLAW NO. 587, 2008 |
How it works
The Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 587, 2008 requires owners and occupiers not to let noxious, offensive or unwholesome material (refuse, junk, derelict vehicles) collect, and not to let property become or stay unsightly. It also covers standing water, unsanitary conditions, noxious weeds, and trees or growth that are a safety hazard. Graffiti and dumping on a highway are banned. Seasoned untreated firewood stored for use is excluded.
Steps
- Call the Village Office (250-846-5212) or email info@telkwa.ca. A complaint must be in written form (in person, by mail, electronically) or by phone to be valid.
- The Bylaw Enforcement Officer may give notice requiring compliance within a stated time.
- If it is ignored, Council may order compliance after the owner has a chance to be heard.
- If that order is ignored, the Village may do the work and recover the cost from the owner or occupier.
Good to know
- Tickets under the Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 792, 2025: $159.45 for unsightly property, rubbish and noxious weeds; $318.90 for a derelict vehicle; $265.75 for unsanitary conditions; $531.50 for graffiti.
- Each day is a separate offence.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Smithers · Houston · Granisle · New Hazelton · Terrace · Kitimat
Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 587, 2008 (PDF), Village of Telkwa (read 2026-11-08)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 792, 2025 (PDF), Village of Telkwa (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaws, Village of Telkwa (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaws and Policies, Village of Telkwa (read 2026-11-08)
- Contact, Village of Telkwa (read 2026-11-08)
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.