Owning property in Kamloops comes with more than just a home or a yard—it comes with a shared responsibility to help keep our neighbourhoods clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re maintaining your yard, caring for a boulevard tree, clearing snow, or keeping alleyways tidy, small actions make a big difference in the overall health and appearance of our community.
By following municipal bylaws and taking care of the spaces around your home, you help reduce safety hazards, prevent property damage, support neighbourhood pride, and contribute to a vibrant, welcoming Kamloops for everyone.Noise
Residents living within City limits share a collective responsibility to maintain a peaceful and respectful environment for their neighbours. Everyone is responsible for making sure the noise they make does not bother others nearby. Whether on private property or in public spaces, all occupants, owners, and tenants must ensure that activities—including playing music, radios, or loud equipment, or other sound‑producing devices—do not disrupt someone else’s comfort or rest. These expectations help preserve the well‑being and quality of life for everyone in the neighbourhood.
Noise is described as unwanted sound. The bylaw is in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Excessive audible noise such as shouting, amplified devices, TVs, radios, and musical instruments can disturb your neighbours.
Noise that occurs within a strata unit or rental unit should be reported to the strata council or property management company for enforcement. For exemptions and detailed information, please refer to the Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 49-1.
Construction noise is not permitted before 7:00 am or after 10:00 pm. This includes construct, erect, reconstruct, alter, repair, remove, or demolish any building, structure, or thing or excavate or fill in land in any manner that disturbs the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort, or convenience of any Person or Persons in the neighbourhood or vicinity.
In circumstances where it is impossible or impractical to comply, written approval by the City to carry on the work may be granted if it is found to be necessary.
Yard Maintenance
Keeping private yards well maintained helps create safe, attractive neighbourhoods and supports the overall health of our community. Property owners are responsible for regular upkeep of their yards, including tasks such as mowing grass, trimming overgrown vegetation, removing weeds, and ensuring trees or shrubs do not obstruct sidewalks, roadways, or visibility for drivers. These standards help prevent pests, reduce fire risks, and maintain clear public pathways.
Municipal bylaws typically outline what is considered acceptable yard maintenance and what may be flagged as a concern. If a property becomes overgrown or poses a safety issue, the City may issue a notice requiring the owner to address the problem within a set timeframe. When everyone does their part, neighbourhoods remain clean, safe, and welcoming for all.
Many residents assume the City is responsible for mowing, trimming, and general upkeep of the boulevard in front of their home or business.
The truth is, adjacent property owners are responsible — in most cases, the adjacent property owner is responsible for maintaining the boulevard next to their property. This is included in the Roads Right-of-Way Bylaw.
Property owners must handle general upkeep of vegetation, including:
- Weed control (regular removal of weeds and invasive plants)
- Grass cutting and trimming (kept regularly mowed)
- Watering and fertilizing grass, plants, and landscaping as needed
- Maintaining landscaping (grass, plants, shrubs, flowers) in a condition that complements the property
A boulevard is the City‑owned strip between the curb or road and the property line, including side boulevards on corner lots.
Keeping boulevards tidy helps maintain neighbourhood appearance, supports safety, and reduces fire and pest risks.
The City's Tree Protection Bylaw No. 50-1 regulates how trees can be altered or removed to preserve the city’s overall tree canopy.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. You may need a Tree Permit.
A permit is required for:
- Removing any tree on residentially zoned properties or parcels over 2.0 hectares.
- Topping any tree on these same properties.
Permits are valid for one year and can be applied for at Kamloops.ca/Trees.
2. You may not need a permit in certain cases.
- Trees under 5 m tall and under 10 cm in diameter.
- Pruning or trimming
- Removing certain invasive species (Russian Olive, Siberian Elm, Tree of Heaven).
- Trees on “managed forest” lands.
- Removing a dead or hazardous tree — though the City may require photos, an arborist report, or the tree left on site temporarily for verification.
- In the case of an emergency tree removal, the City may require that you leave the removed tree on the ground, to provide an arborist report or photo for verification prior to cleanup. Written notification to the City is required showing how the tree was a hazard or was damaged and how it posed an imminent danger to persons or property.
- In the case of an emergency tree removal, the City may require that you leave the removed tree on the ground, to provide an arborist report or photo for verification prior to cleanup. Written notification to the City is required showing how the tree was a hazard or was damaged and how it posed an imminent danger to persons or property.
3. Replacement trees are required.
If you remove a tree legally, the bylaw requires you to plant a replacement tree. Firesmart deciduous species like aspen, maple, alder, ash, or cherry are encouraged.
You actually may not own the tree at all, before your cut a tree ensure you know the full regulations and if the tree is on your property. Learn more below under Property Line/Encroachment or check your property line online at Kamloops.ca/CityMap.
Trees located in parks or on boulevards are typically City-owned. To check ownership, visit Kamloops.ca/Maps and view the “Kamloops Trees” map. If a City tree near your home needs attention, request an inspection by calling 250‑828‑3461.
Utilities
Municipal utilities, like water, sewer, and garbage services, are important systems that everyone in the City uses every day. Residents can help keep these systems working well by using them properly—for example, only flushing toilet paper, keeping fats and oils out of drains, and putting the right items in the garbage or recycling. Every three months, households receive a utility bill that helps pay for these services. The money collected is important because it allows the City to maintain pipes, pumps, trucks, and other equipment needed to keep clean water flowing in and waste safely removed. By paying utility bills on time and treating the system with care, residents help protect the community’s infrastructure and keep services running smoothly for everyone.
The City’s website also has helpful information about utilities, including how billing works, where your water comes from, where your wastewater goes, how to use water wisely, what to do if pipes freeze, and answers to common questions. By paying utility bills on time and taking care of the system, residents help keep these services running smoothly for everyone.
Property Line/Encroachment
Property owners are responsible for knowing the true boundaries of their land. Fences and other features are not always built on the exact legal property line, so they cannot be used as a guide. The only way to know your real boundary is through a certified survey or your property title documents. You can also check your property line by visiting Kamloops.ca/CityMap.
City bylaws set rules for how close structures can be to the property line, as well as limits on height and placement, and some projects may need permits. Even small encroachments like sheds, fences, gardens, or landscaping can cause legal or safety problems and may need to be removed or fixed at the owner’s cost.
Long‑standing encroachments are not automatically allowed, and areas near roads, sidewalks, and lanes often belong to the City as rights‑of‑way. Anything built or placed in these areas usually needs approval. Even if neighbours agree to an encroachment, it may still break City rules or cause issues when selling the property.
Knowing your property lines helps prevent conflicts, protects safety, and avoids costly mistakes.
Fences are not always placed on the exact legal property line. Only a certified survey or property title documents can confirm true boundaries.
To confirm your property line, visit Kamloops.ca/CityMap.
Municipal bylaws regulate setbacks, height, and placement of structures—even on private property. Permits may be required.
Even minor encroachments (like sheds, fences, or landscaping) can create legal or safety issues and may need to be removed or corrected at the owner's expense.
Things to note:
- Long-standing encroachments are not automatically legal. They may still violate current bylaws or require formal agreements.
- Areas near roads, sidewalks, and lanes are often within municipal rights-of-way. Any use or structure in these areas typically requires approval.
- Even with neighbour consent, encroachments may still violate municipal bylaws or impact future property transactions.
Catch Basins
Catch basins, also called storm drains, are part of a City-wide system that helps manage snow melt, run-off, and rain. When they get clogged with debris, they can back up and cause flooding. There are easy actions residents can take to help keep catch basins clear.
When catch basins get clogged with debris, they can back up and cause flooding. Throughout the winter, spring and fall, residents are encouraged to keep their catch basins cleared of snow, ice, leaves, and other debris.
Following a snowfall, residents can also help by shoveling snow to the right of their driveways and before the curb (when facing the road), rather than shoveling snow onto the curb where ice can build up and block the system. In the spring and fall, residents are encouraged to remove debris such as leaves and twigs away from catch basins.
Never pour anything down a catch basin. The end result could cause water contamination and harm to natural areas.
Catch basins provide drainage for snow melt and storm water. Water that flows to catch basins is NOT piped to water treatment facilities to be treated before it returns to streams, rivers, and other natural spaces.
Learn why you should never pour anything into a catch basin near your property and what you can do to help as a responsible homeowner.
Snow Clearing
City streets are plowed on a priority basis, starting with arterial roads, followed by collectors and bus routes. Residential streets are only attended to once the other streets are cleared. It is the responsibility of homeowners to clear snow off sidewalks adjacent to their property, and to clear the windrow at the end of their driveway.
It is the responsibility of the homeowner to clear the following areas after a snow event:
- sidewalks adjacent to your property
- windrow at the end of your driveway
- bus pads (transit stops) adjacent to your property
Discover business and residential property responsibilities, annual snow clearing budget, snow clearing tips, FAQs, and all things snow clearing related.
