If you have a question or concern about excessive noise, please contact City Hall at 250-334-4441, email bylaw@courtenay,ca or use our bylaw complaint form.
Noise and nuisance issues can affect the health, safety and enjoyment of neighbourhoods. The City of Courtenay has bylaws in place to reduce excessive noise and address chronic problem properties that create ongoing disturbances or safety concerns.
When issues continue
Most day-to-day noise and property concerns are addressed under the Prevention of Public Nuisances Bylaw. This page explains what happens when issues continue or require further enforcement.
This page explains what happens when issues continue or require further enforcement.
In some cases, issues continue or become more serious over time. When this happens, the City may take additional steps to address the problem and protect the safety and well-being of the community.
What is a nuisance property?
A nuisance property is a place where repeated activity causes harm, disruption or discomfort to others. This may include:
- Ongoing noise complaints
- Littering or graffiti
- Unsightly conditions or fire hazards
- Odours, smoke or other irritants
- Excessive lighting or light spill affecting neighbours
- Unlawful activity
- Unsafe structures or poor property maintenance
These issues can impact safety, increase enforcement costs and reduce quality of life in a neighbourhood.
Chronic nuisance properties
The City may intervene when typical enforcement efforts are not effective.
Under the Nuisance Abatement and Cost Recovery Bylaw No. 2987, 2019, the City can:
- Order the property owner or occupant to fix the issue
- Enter the property to carry out the work if the owner does not comply
- Recover the cost through property taxes or other legal means
This includes staff time, equipment, and contractor fees. Fines may also apply.
Nuisance enforcement and regulations
For ongoing or unresolved issues, the Nuisance Abatement and Cost Recovery Bylaw outlines how the City can require action and recover costs when a nuisance is not addressed.
This may include formal orders, City-led cleanup or repairs, and cost recovery from the property owner or occupier.
View the Nuisance Abatement and Cost Recovery Bylaw