Property Use Inspections
FAQs
Untidy
- There is garbage scattered all over the alleyway/laneway.
- My neighbours backyard/front yard is so overgrown. Everyone else on the block takes care of their lawn very well. It makes the whole neighbourhood look so unsightly. What is the by-law when on grass length?
- There is a property in my neighbourhood that is always so untidy. The lawn is not kept, there are all sorts of garbage lying around etc. Where can I report this?
- The house across the street has broken windows and the front door is not secure. Who should I call?
- What happens when the property owner refuse to look after their property?
Garage Sales and Car Wash
Zoning and Development
- My neighhour is running a car repair shop out of his garage.
- There are over sized cars parked on the streets. Who should I call?
- I see people repairing cars on the streets. Who should I call?
- There is a house in my neighbourhood who park their cars in their front yard. It is an eyesore. Are they allowed to do this?
- Some or my neighbours park their big cars in our residential street. Is this allowed?
- I would like to build a shed in my backyard. What is the maximum size I am allowed without having to take out a permit?
- My neighbour is doing major renovations on his property. It does not seem like he/she has taken out a permit for the job.
- My neighbour is altering the building structure of his property. Is he allowed to do this?
- I am planning on doing some cosmetic changes on my property, do I need a permit to do that?
- I would like to erect a fence on my property, do I need to take out a permit?
- My neighhours hedge is so tall. Isn’t there a height requirement?
Health By-law
- My neighbour is smoking on his/her patio. I thought there is a no smoking by-law in the City?
- The business next door has patrons/employees smoking within 6 meters of an entry way. Will the City give out tickets to the smokers?
- People are smoking at the bus stops/bus shelters?
- Where can I get “NO SMOKING” signs?
- What are the sign requirements for putting up “NO SMOKING” signs?
- I would like to know more about the use of pesticides? Who can help?
- There are homeless people urinating and defecating in public. This poses a health hazard.
- There are homeless people sleeping under the bridge/City property.
- I went to dine at a restaurant and it is very dirty in there. Also, the washrooms don’t work properly.
Parking
- Bright lights from commercial signs, bill boards, parking lights etc. is shining onto private property even with the curtains closed, the light still comes through. What can I do?
- My neighbour often parks on the street for long periods of time in front of my property. As a result, my friends and family are inconvenienced and have to park quite a distance away.
- There is parked car on the street that is not insured. It has been parked there for many months now.
Untidy
Q: There is garbage scattered all over the alleyway/laneway.
A: If there is abandoned garbage on City property, call Sanitation at 604.326.4710 and mention that the debris is on city property.
Q: My neighbours backyard/front yard is so overgrown. Everyone else on the block takes care of their lawn very well. It makes the whole neighbourhood look so unsightly. What is the by-law when on grass length?
A: There is no set length written in the Untidy By-law No. 4548. One way to determine what length is reasonable is by being consistent with your neighbours.
Q: There is a property in my neighbourhood that is always so untidy. The lawn is not kept, there are all sorts of garbage lying around etc. Where can I report this?
A: Property Use Hotline – 604.873.7398
Q: The house across the street has broken windows and the front door is not secure. Who should I call?
A: Property Use Hotline – 604.873.7398
Q: What happens when the property owner refuse to look after their property?
A: The City will hire its own contractors and the bill will be added to the property tax.
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Garage Sales and Car Wash
Q: Is there a by-law that regulates garage sales? Do I need a licence?
A: No, there is currently no by-law that regulates garage sales. However, the City policy is up to maximum of two (2) garage sales per year. No licence is required.
Q: I am organizing a car wash event for charity. It is going to take place at my local gas station. Do I need a licence?
A: No.
Q: I would like to have a car wash charity event at my local community centre. Do I need a special licence?
A: For more information on charity car wash events that will take place at parks or community centres, please contact the Parks Board at 604.257.8400.
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Zoning and Development
Q: My neighhour is running a car repair shop out of his garage.
A: The garage’s main purpose is for parking vehicles. If it is proven that the occupant of the property is indeed charging for car repairs, this is a contravention of the Zoning and Development By-law; therefore, this is not allowed. A formal complaint can be filed by phoning 604.873.7398.
Q: There are over sized cars parked on the streets. Who should I call?
A: Contact VPD, Traffic Support Services at 604.717.2998.
Q: I see people repairing cars on the streets. Who should I call?
A: Contact VPD, Traffic Support Services at 604.717.2998.
Q: There is a house in my neighbourhood who park their cars in their front yard. It is an eyesore. Are they allowed to do this?
A: No, it they’re not.
Q: Some or my neighbours park their big cars in our residential street. Is this allowed?
A: No overweight/oversized vehicle of any kind is allowed to be parked in a residential neighbourhood. For travel trailers, it should not exceed 16 ft. The maximum GVW is 4500 kg.
Q: I would like to build a shed in my backyard. What is the maximum size I am allowed without having to take out a permit?
A: The maximum size allowed for any backyard accessory like a shed or green house, built on the last 26 ft. of the property line, is 100 sq. ft.
Q: My neighbour is doing major renovations on his property. It does not seem like he/she has taken out a permit for the job.
A: If the renovation is still taking place or in the process of being completed, the incident should be reported to the district building inspector at 604.873.7601; 604.873.7602 or 604.873.7603. However, if the project is already completed the complainant should report the incident to the Property Use Hotline at 604.873.7871.
Q: My neighbour is altering the building structure of his property. Is he allowed to do this?
A: Yes, if he has a permit from the City. If there are alterations or renovations to the structure, layout or appearance of the building, a permit is needed.
Q: I am planning on doing some cosmetic changes on my property, do I need a permit to do that?
A: No, as long as you are not doing structure or layout changes to the property or doing major changes on the appearance of the building.
Q: I would like to erect a fence on my property, do I need to take out a permit?
A: No permit is needed for erecting a fence. The maximum height allowed on the front yard is 4 ft. The maximum height allowed for the side and backyard is 6 ft.
Q: My neighhours hedge is so tall. Isn’t there a height requirement?
A: No, there is no maximum height limit on hedges.
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Health By-law
Q: My neighbour is smoking on his/her patio. I thought there is a no smoking by-law in the City?
A: At this point in time, the City is only enforcing the no smoking by-law on commercial properties. For residential properties, please check with your strata council or building manager.
Q: The business next door has patrons/employees smoking within 6 meters of an entry way. Will the City give out tickets to the smokers?
A: The business operator will be responsible for ensuring employees or patrons don’t break the City by-law. Currently the City will not be ticketing individual smoker.
Q: People are smoking at the bus stops/bus shelters?
A: Contact the non-emergency police line at 604.717.3321
Q: Where can I get “NO SMOKING” signs?
A: The BC Lung Association gives out “NO SMOKING” signs.
Contact Info:
BC Lung Association
2675 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC
V6H 2K2
CanadaT: 604.731.LUNG (5864)
TF: 1.800.665.LUNG (5864) - Outside the Lower Mainland
F: 604.731.5810
E: info@bc.lung.ca
Q: What are the sign requirements for putting up “NO SMOKING” signs?
A: For complete information please refer to the Health By-law No.9535 under Sign Requirements Section 2.5 
(75kb) and visit the Vancouver Coastal Health website at: www.vch.ca/environmental/tobacco/bylaws/vancouver.htm 
Q: I would like to know more about the use of pesticides? Who can help?
A: Evans Yard, Arboriculture 955 Evans Avenue, Vancouver BC, Phone: 604.257.8600; Fax: 604.257.8192.
Q: There are homeless people urinating and defecating in public. This poses a health hazard.
A: Contact the VPD non-emergency line at 604.717.3321.
Q: There are homeless people sleeping under the bridge/City property.
A: Contact the Housing Relocator - Tenant Assistance Program at 604.873.7109.
Q: I went to dine at a restaurant and it is very dirty in there. Also, the washrooms don’t work properly.
A: Contact the Vancouver Coastal Health at 604.675.3800.
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Parking
Q: Bright lights from commercial signs, bill boards, parking lights etc. is shining onto private property even with the curtains closed, the light still comes through. What can I do?
A: If bright light is shining onto a private property affected the party may contact the property use branch at 604.873.7398 to report the incident. An inspector will be sent out to investigate. If the source of the light is coming from a spot light used to illuminate the parking area for security measures, this branch has no by-law or jurisdiction over this matter.
Q: My neighbour often parks on the street for long periods of time in front of my property. As a result, my friends and family are inconvenienced and have to park quite a distance away.
A: For more information regarding street parking rules and regulations, contact the Parking Enforcement Branch at 604.257.8707.
Q: There is parked car on the street that is not insured. It has been parked there for many months now.
A: Contact the Parking Enforcement Branch at 604.257.8707.
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