As mentioned in previous updates, on December 16th, Council adopted the Burnaby Unsightly Premises Bylaw, allowing the City to enforce against unsightly premises within the City so that Burnaby residents can avoid being negatively impacted by unsightly/hazardous conditions in neighbouring properties.  

The updated bylaw will offer improved understanding and enforcement actions by:  

• Providing greater clarity on conditions that are considered unsightly;  
• Adding a provision to prohibit persons from causing or permitting unsightly materials on public property, and for City staff and/or contractors to have the authority to remove these materials at their discretion;  
• Provide authority to the General Manager Community Safety to issue a compliance order to require a property owner or occupier to clean up an unsightly premises;  
• Eliminating the need to obtain Council authorization for direct actions and authorizing City staff and/or contractors to clean up unsightly premises, at the expense of the owner or occupier, if the owner or occupier fails to comply with a compliance order; and  
• Providing for an appeal process for owners and occupiers who have been issued a compliance order.  

More information can be found in the full report by City staff. 

December 3rd, 2024

On November 18th, Council authorized the City Solicitor to bring forward the Burnaby Unsightly Premises Bylaw, allowing the City to enforce against unsightly premises within the City so that Burnaby residents can avoid being negatively impacted by unsightly/hazardous conditions in neighbouring properties. 

The updated bylaw will offer improved understanding and enforcement actions by: 

• Providing greater clarity on conditions that are considered unsightly; 
• Adding a provision to prohibit persons from causing or permitting unsightly materials on public property, and for City staff and/or contractors to have the authority to remove these materials at their discretion; 
• Provide authority to the General Manager Community Safety to issue a compliance order to require a property owner or occupier to clean up an unsightly premises; 
• Eliminating the need to obtain Council authorization for direct actions and authorizing City staff and/or contractors to clean up unsightly premises, at the expense of the owner or occupier, if the owner or occupier fails to comply with a compliance order; and 
• Providing for an appeal process for owners and occupiers who have been issued a compliance order. 

More information can be found in the full report by City staff.