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Terrace unsightly property rules and how to report

How do I report an unsightly or overgrown property?

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

Short answer

In Terrace, the Nuisance Bylaw 1318 bans unsightly property, including piled rubbish, building material, and unregistered or non-running vehicles, and lets the City order brush and noxious weeds cleared. Report it to the Bylaw Department by form or at 250-615-4037. The ticket is $300.

Key facts

What countsNo owner or occupier may let property become or stay unsightly. 'Unsightly' includes building material piled on the property (unless there is a building permit or it is in a covered building), unregistered or non-running motor vehicles (unless in a covered building), and accumulations of filth, rubbish or discarded materials. Owners must also clear brush, trees and noxious weeds when the City directs, and not allow insect infestations.Nuisance Bylaw No. 1318-1993 (consolidated), s. 1(j), 4(4), 4(5), 4(6) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
No owner or occupier of real property shall permit or cause that
property to become or remain unsightly.
the accumulation of building material on any property other than
capable of movement under its own power, unless stored
the accumulation of filth, discarded materials or rubbish of any
fail to clear
such property of brush, trees, noxious weeds, or other growths when
How to reportSubmit the online Bylaw Complaint Form, or email the fillable PDF form to bylaw.compliance@terrace.ca, or phone the Bylaw Department at 250-615-4037.Bylaw Enforcement, Bylaw Enforcement page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
You can submit a bylaw complaint a number of ways:
Download a fillable PDF Bylaw Complaint Form. Save it and email it to bylaw.compliance@terrace.ca.
Or phone the Bylaw Department at: 250-615-4037
What happens nextIf the owner does not comply, the City may enter the property at reasonable times, fix the problem, and bill the owner. Unpaid costs on December 31 are added to the property taxes as arrears.Nuisance Bylaw No. 1318-1993 (consolidated), s. 4(7) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
The City of Terrace, by its employees or other persons, at
the unpaid costs shall be added to and form part of the taxes payable
FineUnsightly property: $300. Related: failing to clear growth $100; noxious matter accumulating $100; depositing rubbish $200.Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 1827 (consolidated to 2334-2025), Schedule 11 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Unsightly property
$300.00
Fail to clear growth
BylawCity of Terrace Nuisance Bylaw No. 1318-1993 (consolidated)Nuisance Bylaw No. 1318-1993 (consolidated), s. 12 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
This Bylaw may be cited as "City of Terrace Nuisance Bylaw No. 1318-1993".

How it works

Under the Nuisance Bylaw 1318, no owner or occupier may let property become or stay unsightly. "Unsightly" includes building material piled on the property (unless there is a building permit or it is in a covered building), unregistered or non-running motor vehicles (unless in a covered building), and accumulations of filth, rubbish or discarded materials.

Steps

  1. Note the address and what you see.
  2. Submit the online Bylaw Complaint Form, or email the fillable PDF form to bylaw.compliance@terrace.ca, or phone the Bylaw Department at 250-615-4037.
  3. A Bylaw Officer follows up. Enforcement relies largely on complaints.

Good to know

  • Owners must also clear brush, trees and noxious weeds when the City directs, and must not allow insect infestations.
  • If the owner does not comply, the City may enter the property at reasonable times, fix the problem and bill the owner. Costs unpaid on December 31 are added to the property taxes.
  • The bylaw sets no notice period or deadline for unsightly property. Ask the Bylaw Department how long an owner gets.
  • Municipal tickets: unsightly property $300; failing to clear growth $100; noxious matter accumulating $100; depositing rubbish $200.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Kitimat · New Hazelton · Smithers · Telkwa · Port Edward · Prince Rupert

Unsightly property fines in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Nuisance Bylaw No. 1318-1993 (consolidated) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 1827 (consolidated to 2334-2025) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Bylaw Enforcement, City of Terrace (read 2026-11-05)

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.